The 2020 and now 2021 Ironman race seasons have been filled with anticipation and disappointment for many of our athletes. The training involved consumes so much time and energy. With Tremblant, Penticton and Kona being cancelled and the border into the US remaining closed making access to Maryland IM a challenge, Ironman dreams have been thrown upside down and for many the option of a refund became a better choice both financially and logistically.
In the BIG picture, you can be happy for your good health, your ability to do those epic long workouts and the mental health benefits the focussed training likely provided for you especially during lockdowns. Understandably, you may also be consumed with disappointment because your goals have been shattered.
Ironman is like no other triathlon and that's why not everyone can do it nor attempt it. Although it's a tough pill to swallow, there will be other Ironmans in the future and even if you don't choose to do another one, congratulate yourself on the incredible training you did to prepare.
Team Triumph member Glen Paradis owns a small business called Barnstormer Tattoos that has been hit hard by the pandemic. A few of our members have benefitted from Glen's amazing artistic talent! When Tremblant cancelled he made the tough decision to do the IM on his own for the 2nd year in a row. He was even better prepared this year than last having completed some really strong training blocks. Last Sunday was the scheduled date and also one of the hottest on record!
Glen had an awesome swim in Meech Lake, kayak supported by his wife Brigitte and new puppy! He then performed a really well-paced 180km ride in the extreme heat. As he moved onto the run, the heat was unbearable and after 9km, he realized he could either walk the remaining 30km or call it a day. He made the right decision to shut it down to avoid full heatstroke. A HUGE congratulations to you Glen! IronGlen is heading to the 70.3 Esprit Triathlon next with a great crew from Team Triumph!
We still have a few Ironman athletes going to the Maryland IM and a bunch going to Cozumel and we wish them all the best!!
I love the accountability and the structure of the Virtual 70.3 Half Ironman training program. I don't think I would have gotten this far without the program. The accountability is huge for me!
Deborah Jackman
My coach Kevin Willis is amazing. His swim practices have been a real game-changer for me. A great communicator regardless of your swim level. The whole club is supportive of everything you do. You don't need to be an Ironman to benefit from their programs. 5 stars all around!!! - Denise Pittuck
I just wanted to thank you and your team (Gabi! Brenda! Maggie! Dawn!) for making last weekend's event so amazing. I had tried to do a try-a-tri on my own last summer, and the experience was night and day.
Even though I didn't make every virtual session, I felt so prepared... I knew where to go for information, and I knew I had a team of people (coaches and our beginner tri group!) who were all there to support me.
It was interesting to watch Eric train on his own (without access to the TrainingPeaks workouts and without the weekly meetings to ask questions and learn more about proper form and race-day stuff). When we left on Sunday, he looked at me and was like "we're DEFINITELY doing the training with Julia if we decide to go for the olympic distance, right?".
So glad to have found this club and looking forward to many more triathlons in the near future!!! Tai Teleso
