Category Archives: On the Run

My Triathlon Bike Saddle Evolution

On the back half of the bike course on the 2012 Mont Tremblant Ironman.
On the second lap, I hit a personal cycling speed record of 92 kph.

A bike seat is a very personal choice. You spend a lot of time on one of the five contact points between you and your bike. If it isn’t working for you, there will be a lot of pain and discomfort during all those hours spent training and racing. Also, if you aren’t comfortable, you’ll lose efficiency and by inference speed which equals time on your bike split.

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I Don’t Wanna

It’s been one of those nights. I toss. I turn. I look at the clock. I do it all again. And then, finally, I sleep.

But not for long.

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Why A Wedgie?

The awarding of the Guinness
Tom (right) finishes ahead of me (left) and by tradition, I award him his well earned prize.
2008 Bellwood Sprint Triathlon

That’s a very good question, “Why a Wedgie?” When I first heard that phrase, it triggered the memory of a famous Marx Brothers routine from their movie “The Coconuts“. The key phrase for the whole routine was “Why a duck?”

It’s a classic case of misunderstanding and random phrases confused and twisted. Groucho and Chico are talking about a map, when Groucho mentions about the presence of a “viaduct” between the mainland and the peninsula. Chico, in broken english, immediately replies, “Why a duck?”. Much hilarity, silliness, unusual connections and confusion ensues. Hey, it’s a Marx Brothers movie, that’s what happens.

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Ironman Canada 2009 – The Path of Perseverance

In the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, Tanzanian runner John Stephen Ahkwari was the last runner in the marathon. He came in about an hour and a half after the winner, practically carrying his leg, as it was so bloodied and bandaged.
Film Director Bud Greenspan asked him, “Why did you keep going?”
He said, “You don’t understand. My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start a race, they sent me to finish it.

How To Finish A Marathon – 1968 Olympics In Mexico City

Yes, this piece is long, but so is an Ironman and the road you travel to get there. This was my third IM distance race (2007 IM Florida 12:00:20, 2008 Montreal Esprit 11:05:18), but my first time at Ironman Canada, in Penticton B.C. The 2009 Ironman Canada race? Oh that thing…

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