Canadian Youth Elite National Championships Edmonton

National Youth Triathlon Canada Champion! My preparation over the last year was building to this very day. Everything else was all preparation. This was the biggest race I’ve done to date.  The race started on saturday so we left on thursday morning for Edmonton. This would give us time to do a little ride on the paved trail to Canmore, arrive that night, do a short swim at the hotel and then go to bed. We skipped the course familiarization the next day and opted for sleeping in instead. the next morning Janae, Lincoln and I did a short run, and ride to stay familiar with it all, but nothing too intense.  After the pre race meeting and we had our packages, we went back to the hotel and slept. Rest is key before the race so we made sure we maximized this area.  That night we went to the athlete dinner at the Westin hotel. We were eating our dinner, just to be greeted by Berry Shepley, the legendary announcer and voice of triathlon across Canada and the world. He sat down between Me and Janae, and talked all about Simon Whitfield, the history of triathlon across the world, the Brownlee brothers, and the Rio olympics. It was awesome! It was quite the experience, sitting one table over from world leading number one Mario Mola of Spain, and one table over from olympic games athlete Sarah True of the US, and three tables over from Jonny Brownlee, Olympic games silver medalist in Rio, and Richard Varga of Slovakia. To name just a phew! I did get signatures and pictures along with a conversation with Varga about Kelowna which he said was “very hot.” Well, The race didn’t start until 12:00 the next morning. My pre race prep the next morning went well and as planned, although Lincoln and I were unable to do a swim warmup which is crucial especially in adjusting our wetsuits after they are wet. I was second called onto the pontoon and lincoln third.  We crouched for the hooter. We were off. I had a good start and was first off the gun. I swam a little crooked, but everyone at the front just followed. At about 50 metres I’d established myself at the front and had someone on my feet. I didn’t really care, I just wanted to stay at the front where i’m in control and don’t have to worry.  I felt pretty good. Not bad but not great. I came out first with Ivan from Beaumont on my heels and Tristen from Peterborough behind him. I ran hard to transition and my wetsuit came off easy. I got onto the bike and didn’t look back. The bike was two laps and draft legal, but If I had a gap, I wasn’t slowing down.  By the first turns around I had probably close to twenty seconds. My fast first transition giving me most of that. During the bike, I got into it, and felt GOOD! I biked hard and expanded my lead by about another 10 seconds by the end of the ride. I dismounted and ran into transition, almost going down the wrong rack…but was directed the right way. I had trouble putting on my shoes, but I had a gap and knew I had to keep it. After my slightly longer transition than wanted, I ran out hard. But I ran scared, I wanted the victory so badly, but was worried about someone catching me. This was probably the first race I’ve ever not looked back.  Once I could see the stands and the finish line in the distance I knew I had it. I enjoyed that finish line so much. It had been a long time waiting the raise a banner, but it just made it even more sweet! In the end I won by 1min 3 seconds. I ran 9 seconds faster than last year, but with now one to chase this year, and enjoying the finish line.  This ends my year of Triathlon racing.  Biggest thanks to Luke for his unwavering support, and dedication to my training and his huge part in it. The confidence he gives me, and all the gruelling sessions he’s given me over the last year. It was all worth it:)  Also a huge thanks to my parents and siblings for all their support and for being my biggest fans! I couldn’t have had a nearly as successful season without you. Another big thanks to On running for the awesome shoes carrying me to a new PB run time on this course, and Cannondale for such an awesome bike, taking me to a 15:47 for the 10km ride of ups and downs solo!

Cheers, Brock