In July 2004, myself, my husband and my son moved to Perth from Vancouver, Canada for one year on an education exchange program. After years of doing marathons, I wanted to try triathlons, deciding that the Canadian weather could not be an excuse anymore. I was lucky enough to be one of the 100 ladies that Vicki accepts into the WAT course. Running wasn't a problem for me but swimming most certainly was: I recall my very first swim at Wesley with Beck coaching - I could not even swim 50m and had to get out of the pool and pace around because I couldn't catch my breath. After a weeks, I felt much more comfortable in the water. I enjoyed the cycling although I had a crap hybrid bike. I completed my first triathlon in Freo on a stormy weekend morning complete with being tossed around in tsunami-type waves. I made it though and I was hooked!
In July of 2005 we moved back to Canada although I would have liked to stay in Australia. Saddened by the move, I decided I needed a goal, a really big goal. I signed up for Ironman Canada 2006. Aside from regular training, I attended weekend training camps which were most enjoyable - especially the drinking part and I excelled at this! The year passed very quickly and I found myself at the start line of the swim of Ironman Canada (Penticton, Canada) on Sunday morning, August 27, 2006, among over 2,000 other athletes. The swim was good, although I was slow. I was doing very well on the bike (my weakest segment) and at the half way point I lost control of my bike while going down a hill and crashed, giving myself some severe road rash. However, I was able to get back on my bike and complete the race although at a much slower pace. I finished in 15 hours and 38 minutes and ran across the finish with my son. I did it, crash and everything! What a great feeling!
Hooked on the accomplishment and being a glutton for punishment, I signed up for Ironman 2007!
