Drummondville 2015 : DNF

Pierre-Yves, Julien and I, after the race, photo de Linda Chouinard

After a sprint triathlon at Joliette, I'm slowly building to Ironman distance with an olympic triathlon at Drummondville. At first, I was going to do the elite race where drafting is legal. I was going to take my old road bike because TT bike aren't allowed. Unfortunately, the race was cancelled due to the small number of athletes registered. I wonder who was the most disappointed. My bike, who misses his chance to show he can still compete against the new bike generation made of carbon and di2 or, myself, because I miss the opportunity to prove short distance athletes that long distance athletes can still kick their ass.

Anyhow, I went to Drummondville for the age groupe triathlon with my Garneau TR1 for the non-drafting race. This time, I can't afford to make as many mistakes as last time because the heat and the longer distance won't allow it. I arrive extremely early, I haven't forgotten anything, everything seems perfect. However, self-confidence is low. Theoretically, I can win this race, but since Joliette, I haven't been able to run more than 1.2km without the abdominal pain.

I saw super Mel from Physio Procactif, one of the best physiotherapist, and it seems that my intercostal muscles are so stiff that my ribs can't move properly. Therefore, my diaphragm is working so hard that it cramps when the effort is heavier. Mel tried to loosen the whole thing, but it was two days before the race...

I'm standing at the start line, water to my ankles, ready to jump into the fastest feet of the day : Karol-Ann Roy. We've been told the stream is so strong from right to left that we should aim at least 20 meters to the right to take the direct line to the nearest buoy. It's a go ! In the first meters, I get hit a lot. Suddenly, I feel my chip time slipping away. I can't believe it ! In 8 years, it's the first time I lose my chip time. My reflex ? I try to catch it on the way. In dark water, surrounded by swimmers, it's impossible. Worst, I decide to tell right now that I lost my chip. So, I yell : "Eric, Eric, I lost my chip". What can he do ? He tells me to keep going. I turn my head back to the buoy and realize how far I am from the first swimmers and that I lost my lift in Karol-Ann's feet. No time to waste. High stroke rate is the key to open water swim especially when the stream is that strong so it's what I focus on. The whole time, I swim alone. I never take the "popular" lines to the buoy, but I never doubt my choices. Coming out of the water, I hear my name and that I'm third. Not too bad ! :)

It's 4 loops on the bike. At the first turn around, I can see the difference with the first two women and it's not that far. I know I can catch up on Karol-Ann. Though, after 15km, my diaphragm starts hurting. I'm worried. I try not to breath too hard and to keep my upper body relax. Coming into T2, I'm just 5 seconds behind Karol-Ann.

photo de Linda Chouinard 

In T2, next to my bike, a volunteer tells me that I have a new chip on my shoes. I have to put it on which gives Karol-Ann the extra seconds to start the run ahead. As soon as I'm running, the cramps are up even if I'm running at a slower pace. I pass by my coach who tells me to stop. I don't want to. I keep going. I have run with injuries before and I can tolerate pain to some high level, but this time, it's different. It's painful, yes, but it surely is suffocating. When I see my coach the second time, he's more convincing, reminding of the important race I have the next week end. I give up. For the second time of my triathlete life, I do not finish a race. Frustrating.

Since then, I try to see every specialist I can to fix the problem. I saw my massage therapist yesterday and I will be seing an osteopath on thursday who apparently makes miracle. I need one.


2 nights before I move back to Quebec city !

6 nights to the first half-Ironman of the season at Mont-Tremblant !

10 nights to the school break !

Pro athletes at 70.3 Mont-Tremblant.WON'T BE EASY!!