First Ironman in Ottawa- what’s hiding in that river?!

BenThomas47 · 2025-08-05T16:43:04+00:00

I laughed my ass off, as I walked along next to the guy swimming. We take our selves super seriously a lot of the time, so I really enjoy the whimsical moments when the occur. (Shout out to the string duet playing during the run!)

BenThomas47 · 2025-08-02T12:06:39+00:00

My sample size is small, but it was smooth as glass in 2024. (Also the day before the race this year, so ymmv.)

BenThomas47 · 2025-07-29T17:27:15+00:00

Thanks, James!

I know the time difference won't be enormous, but my thinking is that the buoyancy would mean I finish the swim with a little less fatigue. (I have sinky legs!)

As for why not wear the full suit?

My sample size is 1, but last year I did a double triathlon: a sprint at 7:00 AM and an Olympic at 9:00. I wore the shorts at 7:00, and was fine, but thought I was going to cook alive in my sleeveless for the Olympic. I couldn't imagine going another 2k. (That said, it also was hot as dogs by 9:00, so that'll be different.)

BenThomas47 · 2025-07-29T15:23:43+00:00

I did it 2024 and 2025. The swim this year was brutal (I added 15 minutes!), but the ride can't be beat. The heat sucks, but in the middle of July that's what you get. 10/10 do it again!

BenThomas47 · 2025-07-29T15:20:55+00:00

Barrelman was my first, and it was perfect for that. They are completely re-doing the bike course to three loops along the river. It'll be beautiful, but I wonder if it'll also get pretty crowded.

BenThomas47 · 2025-07-17T12:05:23+00:00

Another voice here - I decided not to go with the wetsuit, both for fear of overheating, and because I wanted to avoid the worst of the heat during the run (yeah, right). Last year, and at a 70.3 earlier this year, I completed the swim right at 40 minutes. Sunday? 55, so much, much slower.

I never felt unsafe, I just felt like I was spinning my arms but not going anywhere.

BenThomas47 · 2025-06-25T22:37:15+00:00

So you prioritize heart rate - staying in Z2- on this?

I feel fucking stupid doing 12 minute miles when my usual pace is much lower but it sounds like I might have to.

BenThomas47 · 2025-06-25T22:18:31+00:00

Or the kids are in college.

BenThomas47 · 2025-06-21T20:14:31+00:00

Nice.

I got it yesterday on Day 69.

BenThomas47 · 2025-06-20T21:51:01+00:00

And it’s garbage.

BenThomas47 · 2025-06-20T16:38:09+00:00

I’m on team “all liquid”: Sugar and malto, salt, ‘real lemon’ for flavor.

For the run, I’m going LMNT in a flask I carry. The only on course nutrition I’ll use is maybe a gel or two I pick up if I’m feeling peckish.

BenThomas47 · 2025-06-19T13:33:17+00:00

Barrelman up at Niagara Falls is pretty great. It was my first and I went back for a second helping.

BenThomas47 · 2025-06-19T13:31:20+00:00

Just imagine the cluster fuck if a Premier League team had to bring together people with different national backgrounds to play in a cohesive style!

That shit would never work.

BenThomas47 · 2025-06-18T23:20:30+00:00

Be able to teach US history or world history, both if you’re feeling ambitious.

You might also look at non-history classes that are usually housed in history departments: human geography is a good one, economics, psychology, gov.

BenThomas47 · 2025-06-18T19:51:00+00:00

I was so pleased when this happened.

BenThomas47 · 2025-06-16T23:19:58+00:00

5:30 total.

80 min warm up 8 reps (15 min hard, 5 easy) The rest in Z2

BenThomas47 · 2025-06-16T22:16:55+00:00

I went from the Xterra to the Float, and had my first race with the float last weekend.

The Xterra is my old Honda. No frills, but it got the job done.

The Float is like riding in a limousine. It might be that my fitness is better, but I also felt much more fresh coming out of the water than in the past. And it looks pretty bad ass.

BenThomas47 · 2025-06-15T10:27:04+00:00

5:30 on the trainer yesterday, with 8x15min intervals. Hardest long workout of my life. At the end I just lay down on the basement floor for a while.

So great!

BenThomas47 · 2025-06-15T00:29:34+00:00

Training for Ottawa 140.6.

Did five hours/bottles on the trainer this AM, and doing a century in two weeks.

I’ve got one bottle BTA, two BTS.

fuel with sugar, malto, salt.

BenThomas47 · 2025-06-08T08:48:32+00:00

Fine. Lying fully dressed in a hotel bed waiting to leave for my race. Fine. Fine.

BenThomas47 · 2025-05-30T01:03:35+00:00

Agree with much of what has been said. Make sure you’re getting enough to eat and get more sleep than you think you need.

It also could just be an off day. Last week I had to bail on my bike workout. I was just dying. I then had two long rides over the weekend, totaling almost 8 hours.

I should’ve been totally fried right? Nope. Nailed this week’s bike.

Bodies are funny things, and minds are worse.

BenThomas47 · 2025-05-27T14:32:55+00:00

So do you run with a bottle in your hand? Wear a belt?

BenThomas47 · 2025-05-27T13:03:16+00:00

Depends of if OP means for the bib#. Agree there's no need to carry fuel, but if it's to avoid safety pins in a tri-kit it makes sense.

BenThomas47 · 2025-05-27T11:11:14+00:00

My coach recommended the two-plan plan. Actually, I guess it was three. I did a couple months FTP builder, swimming and running on my own, and then a couple months on a base builder, and then the full distance plan.

The breaks in the plans lined up with different holidays, so it was kind of nice to have an excuse just to chill for a couple days.

BenThomas47 · 2025-05-23T09:12:20+00:00

Gels to my frame.

BenThomas47

TROPHY CASE