The 2014 season is here and no matter how many years of racing triathlons, the first few races are never easy. To have a great front end of your race season you must pay attention to your pre race details and the execution of your first discipline.

Again huge congrats to Dawn A, who finished the 70.3 World Championship yesterday. She got beat up on the swim by the young men who started just after her wave, survived the massive down pour on the bike and pushed through the hot, sunny and humid 13.1 mile run. Great experience.  Canada did well. I believe we won at least 3 World Titles.

I found out that I actually was in FIRST with 2 miles to go.  There was a long 1 mile grind then a long 1 mile downhill to the finish. With about 600m to go, 2 men ran by me fast!  One of them was young, while the other man was older, short and moving fast.  YUP... no age on his calf (due to rain) and I have no idea. But he was going so fast I just did not have much anyways. At the awards, he told me I passed him at about the 8 mile mark but he kept me insight. He used me to pull him through the field for the last 4 miles.  He then attacked, and attacked hard. I high fived him and felt better about the way I lost first place.  He was a super nice guy.  He also mentioned he was going to World XTERRA this year.  He knew who I was from my XTERRA history.  It was a really cool connect with a man who lives half way around the world.

WOW, what I weekend that was for many of you!  Ironman Canada, Ironman Louisville and Penticton Challenge were all happening on the same day.  Here are some of the results.

Rick Wilson was ill after the swim and toughed it out till about 6 miles into the run.  Marilyn had a tough swim, some 30 minutes longer than usual (bad course marking and choppy waters)  and with this late start on the bike, she just missed the bike cut off at Yellow Lake. She was strong on the bike and all those Computrainer session made a difference.  

Mark Powell in Ironman Louisville won his age group and qualified for Kona.  Tony Chad was having a great day but the heat too its toll and he made it to the 8 hour mark. Ironman Arizona is slated later in the season.

Fantastic Day at Ironman Mont -Tremblant, Well done Jason and Dan.

Mass participation cycling events and triathlons are thrilling events, but all of them have had mishaps with athletes injuring themselves and others.

Many of us love the feeling of being involved in a speeding train of two wheelers, feeling the adrenaline rush needed to match the challenge from your competitors and ultimately hand out some pain to those who dare to follow. But with speed and fun comes danger and risk.