Wahine at IM Canada - Race Feed

[Wahine's DH]

Posted by DH
Valley Star Motel, Penticton, British Columbia 4:41 A.M. PST

Yukon gold potatoes and a hard boiled egg for a second breakfast. Wahine woke up at 1:30 A.M and decided to eat the first.

Sky is too dark now, overcast. Checking the weather site, 60 deg F now (16 deg C). 60% chance of light showers, projected high of 68 deg F (20 deg C). Great racing temp, maybe slippery downhill, we’re happy.

Wahine relates a fragmented dream of swimming with her life jacket on. That’s the first laugh of the morning as yet again she goes through the mental checklist. Second laugh when she remembers she hasn’t brushed her teeth.

Thanx for txt msg CC. It brought a smile.

[divingbiker]

I was just looking at the live video and thinking of Wahine, wondering how in the he!! anyone swims in that mass of people so close together. My hat's off to all the athletes. Will be thinking of her throughout the day and checking the results and video.

[Wahine's DH]

Posted by DH
Okanagan Lake Beach, Observations 6:50 A.M. PST

Most of the crowd is in place, lining the shores from the ropes to the trees. There is a heavy background murmur and occasional shouting to the athletes. The athletes are shuffling. Most have their position but are pulling out their wetsuits, adjusting goggles, shaking out their arms.

The water temperature is 68 deg F (20 deg C), ambiant air 60 deg. Pleasant. There is the morning smell of damp sand and ponderosa pine. Herring gulls circle the canoes, yachts, kayaks and buoys that form the triangle course.

The athletes have formed a bulging arc, those anticipating the fastest swims at the middle. Wahine is to the left of middle and about half way back. Pink swim cap!

Wahine does well in the swim, most recently first out of the water in her age group at the Pacific Crest half Ironman. I’ve seen videos of her from underwater cameras. When she catches and pulls, you can see heavy turbulence coming off her fingertips. But the key to her performance is body position, keeping her core high, rolling and extending. She is good at translating what her coaches tell her.

Wahine has disappeared into the mass of black suits, one of 2500 coiled springs.

[Veronica]

Oh my gosh, I just want to stay here at the computer! Wahine's DH thanks for making us feel like we're there.

Go Wahine Go!

V.

[Wahine's DH]

Posted by DH
First transition (T1) at Martin Street, Penticton. 8:05 A.M. PST

What a spectacle when the cannon fired! Waves of athletes plunging forward, turbulence and windmill arms out front. The jostling continues for several hundred meters, then I can see some snake-like lines as some athletes find a draft to their liking. The energy and speed is astonishing.

They fade beyond detail. I want to get a latte, but movement through the spectactors is slow. So many have the same idea: Head for the transition area to see how their athlete looks coming in. I know when to expect Wahine. 65 min or so after the cannon.

There she is!-- in dripping glory. Focussed on process. Keep the feet moving, off with the goggles, pop the cap (Pink!), peel down to waist, orient, yield to the wetsuit strippers, breathe deeply…

I move to the fence near her bike. Request to the crowd: Excuse me please, smiles and yes, we understand, there’s room.

Wahine is already at her bike. “Race smart!” I yell. I’m worried because she pushes through pain.

Clack clack—out to Main street, spinning, HUGE SMILE. Looking so strong after T1. Clouds are clearing. Blue sky poking thru everywhere. Now, I’m optimistic.

[Starfish]

Wow, Wahine DH, thanks for writing so well! This is great! Woohoo!!!

[KnottedYet]

Live video? where!?!?! someone please post a link for the computer-illiterate among us? (aka ME!!)

[Shiraz]

Go Wahine!!!! We are cheering you on!! Thanks DH we love the updates. I feel like I am watching her!

[divingbiker]

Live video? where!?!?! someone please post a link for the computer-illiterate among us? (aka ME!!)

Ha! You, computer illiterate??? hahahahaha

Click on the LIVE VIDEO link below the picture.

[alpinerabbit]

awwww this is so exciting.....!

[KnottedYet]

can't get the live video (my computer says it's got a bug? uhhh, what?) but I did get this: http://ironman.com//events/ironman/c...anada&bib=2289

Go Wahine, Go!

[kelownagirl]

Knot - When I clicked on the link, Windows Media Player opened up, but it doesn't want to connect.

Wahine's DH - thanks for the live feed! I got up at 7 and tried to find the IM on TV but no luck. It's good to know she's doing well so far and that the
weather is clearing. It was looking a little ugly last night, and early this morning, so I was a bit worried it might be windy for the ride. (I sent a text last night too but forgot to sign my name so she might have wondered who it was from ) Anyway, we're going to head down to there before noon because I want to see her go by in T2 and finish of course! Maybe we'll see you down there!

Barb

[KSH]

Awesome! Thanks for the updates! We really do appreciate it!

[KSH]

Time Update:

TOTAL SWIM 2.4 mi. (1:08:31) 1:48/100m 563

FIRST BIKE SEGMENT 40 mi. (--:--) -- mph
FINAL BIKE SEGMENT 72 mi. (--:--) -- mph
TOTAL BIKE 112 mi. (--:--) -- mph --

FIRST RUN SEGMENT 13.1 mi. (--:--) --/mile
FINAL RUN SEGMENT 13.1 mi. (--:--) --/mile
TOTAL RUN 26.2 mi. (--:--) --/mile

[Over50Newbie]

I just checked out her swim time online. WOW! And her T1 looks good too. Here's best wishes for a smooth bike leg. GO WAHINE!! You make us all proud!

Lynette