Desert Half race report by Lynn

Osoyoos Race Report – July 7, 2008

Ok, heading off to a ½ Ironman with 3 of your best friends is maybe not the best for getting the head into race mode especially when your 1st night of sleeping is in Winfield at Carol’s sisters. Picture house right on Okanagan Lake, dinner and a beer on the dock with your best buds? Who needs to go any further, no husbands, no kids, race in Osoyoos – are we crazy??? We did get up in the morning and continue our journey, but we all for a ½ second thought staying on the dock for the weekend would have been just as good.

I like races that the bikes spend the night in transition. It seems to make race morning more organized. We arrived with plenty of time to prepare and to get ready. No rushing required.

The swim was two heats, another enjoyable feature. Let the fast men go and get out of the way. The water was VERY warm, clear and calm. I could have just kept swimming for a couple more hours! I even managed a quick glance at the HR monitor – 143. This is where the enjoyment ends for me….

Transition was seamless, and on to bike. The Richer climb was not so bad and even the 1st few rollers. But quickly after that, at about 25k the wind started, only as a breeze at first. It was relentless; but you kept telling yourself that at the turnaround it would be all behind. It was a great tailwind for about 10k. Then all of a sudden there was not wind at all, then only a light breeze (headwind, nothing to terrible). The breeze picked up good and became a good headwind at times. Not fair to have wind like that both directions on hills that are a bit ridiculous. It is a very challenging bike course and for anyone doing Ironman Canada is a must! HEAT, WIND, and HILLS. I was probably 1 of the 5 women that braked going down Richer – yes, I am a big chicken! Nutrition was good, but must get behind the seat waterbottle holders as I’m not drinking Gatorade. Extremely happy to see transition and know that the run is basically flat. Avg HR between 145 – 150.

Felt great on the run, although I new the heat was creeping up on the last loop. Drank water/Gatorade at each station, no coke, and only one gel. Stomach was great throughout. Started to fade about the 17k-18k mark, but new it was almost done. Avg HR between 155-160. Felt pretty good after, nothing really sore, just overall fatigue. Stomach great after, able to eat right after and drank lots of water. It was only 29 degrees when I finished, not the usual 37 degree heat that can happen in Osoyoos. This is a fabulous race, well organized and lots of volunteers. Exceptional training day for me.

Swim – 32.51
Bike – 3.42.40
Run – 2.12.42
6.33.49