Extreme Triathlon, CANADA, CANADA, Oct 2, 2021
I am writing this post thinking that I would like to read it in the future and remember this moment in my life, what I am living, what I am thinking and remember so many things that have finally helped to make this kind of experiences possible in my life.
CANADAMAN-XTRI
Well, what is it about? it is an extreme Triathlon, with the same distances of an IronMan, but in more extreme conditions, basically because it is 100% Self Supported (more about this later), because of the unevenness of the tests and because the last 42 km of Running are in the mountains, in the middle of the forest. This year, particularly has the factor of the cold and that it gets dark faster.
The distances of this triathlon are 3.8km swim, 180km (D+2700m) bike and 42km (D+1700m) run (that in brackets is the elevation gain in meters of each race).
Normally, this race is held on the first weekend of July, where Monday is a holiday for Canada Day. This year, because of Covid, they moved it to October. Also because of that, they had to modify it a bit. The swim was shortened to 1.5km because the water is too cold and the run was shortened to 40km to avoid going through a forest where there is hunting season.
So, a few points before I start talking about the race:
1. Logistics
As I mentioned, the race is 100% self supported, which means that during the whole course you have to carry everything you need. There are no feeding or hydration stations. There is no-one to fix the bike in case of damage, flat tire, etc. Everything has to be done by you and your crew. You have to think about the feeding and hydration strategy, all the problems that you may have, spare parts, clothes, meeting places, etc. That requires a lot of planning, taking into account that this is the first time we do this.
Maria and I made the plan according to the little we knew, imagining how each stage of the race would be, and thinking about what could go wrong.
This is what I used to prepare all the equipment I had to carry for each event:
This is the map of the entire route of the race with the kilometers and meeting points:
Maria made an excel file with all the preparation, the distances between the points, what she had to have ready for each meeting, what she could not forget, etc.
2. Body, Mind and Willing
Many people say that these types of races are run with the mind, with the right mindset, that they are more mental than physical. And I think that in general they are right, and that is how I have done many of the long distance races in my life... but in this case, it was different.
Lately, there's a lot of talk about mindfulness, about being fully present in the moment, and there's a tendency to do these kinds of tests that way. But there is another way, quite the opposite, some people call it mindlessness... which means, to completely turn off the mind... that's what I tried to do in the whole course.
I have learned that I could divide myself into three main parts: body, mind and will. The body is a perfect instrument, which has evolved over millions of years and is willing and available for whatever one wants. It is capable of incredible things that we still have no idea about. The mind is a very powerful instrument that directs and takes the body wherever it wants... but the mind is also lazy and capricious (when I speak of mind here I am referring a little bit also to the brain). A well "calibrated" mind can lead the body to do incredible things, but a mind can also lead the body to self-destruction. This subject is something that has always interested me a lot.
The mind also has a very dangerous ally called the Ego, which is constantly sending messages that, in this type of experience, does not contribute anything positive.But there is something stronger, which I call the will (the intention). This is something purer and stronger than the mind.
I have learned that the body and the mind do what the will commands....
Well, what I tried to do all day on the race, was to silence the mind and the Ego completely. The idea is not to let the mind interfere, not to let it send messages of tiredness, why am I doing this, how many kilometers I have left, is it dangerous to run at night in a dark forest, etc... none of that... just let the body do its thing directed by the will.
When I turn off the mind, I am fully present in my body, without any messages, pressure, battles. It is a bodily connection in the present moment, no past, no future, just there, step by step, moment by moment... and so, I move forward until I complete my challenge.
I make a clarification, there is a difference between Mindful and Mind-full. In the first one, one listens to the mind and is observing what the mind says, to be aware and connected and to enter into a meditative and complentative state. Mind-Full, is having the mind full of thoughts where the goal is to try to empty it. Although there is a big difference, in this challenge I did neither, as I said, I did it as a 100% body experience.
3. Gear
Just as it is important to have the right attitude, it is important to have the right equipment. Have a good bike, good tennis shoes, good socks, cold weather gear, camelback, etc.
This is something you learn with experience, especially the bad ones, and with time. For a race like this, you should not improvise or try new things (even if you always do it).
For example, a week before the race, I sold my Triathlon bike, meaning that for this race, I did the bike portion on the gravel bike (naranjita), not at all suitable, but that was the bike I had. Not having the right bike was another thought I didn't want to play on my mind.
The same as thinking I should have trained more, done more climbs on the bike, mountain biking, etc."This is what it is, this is what I have and this is the time." That was the mindset I set for myself.
Day before the race
We packed everything in the car and left for Mont Megantic (It's about 3 hours drive).
Cart full of all the equipment we need
The route is full of endless forests filled with the yellows and reds of autumn colors. We arrived at the village where we had a reservation at the Hotel Le Quiet.
From there we left to where the race will start the next day, to get our number, information and to leave the bike ready for the next day.
Preparing "Naranjita" for next day race
Plan y map of the day
Race day, Octubre 3rd
We got up at 5:00 am to be on site at 5:45 am. To tell the truth, I was awake since 3h00, waiting for the alarm clock to ring to start the day... the big day that awaits me ahead and that even if I didn't want to, I had been so anxious for so long.
The swim starts at 6:15 am. My nerves are on edge knowing the long day ahead of me and the amount of kilometers I have to cover. The best thing is that I like swimming the most and I enjoy it the most.
It's 5°C but with all the adrenaline, it doesn't feel cold at all.
We all have to swim with a light strapped on our goggles and a safety buoy.
Swim (1.5km) 6h15am
Last call and off I run for the start, now this thing has started.
They give the start and now yes... I run into the water and I feel that cold shock of the water, I manage to run a little while I'm submerging as trying to postpone the inevitable, but it's already... I start swimming, I feel the cold water entering a little bit through the wetsuit, a lot of adrenaline, a lot of expectations, I feel people swimming next to me, kicks close to my face... but I calm down, I regulate myself, I take a deep breath and start enjoying the moment... it feels good, fresh, I feel fast... I enjoy it very much.
When I least think, I reach the first lap, there are three... I keep on swimming, when I take a breath I can see the sunrise on one side, the water is completely transparent... in the third lap, I start to feel sorry because it's going to end... because I'm close to arrive and finish what I like the most.
I start to see the bottom of the lake as I swim and I realize that I'm getting to the end, wow, first part completed. It crosses my mind that soon I will be on the bike, the part of the race that I am most afraid of, I try not to think and in a moment, I find myself already out of the water.
I run out to where the bike is and Maria is waiting for me. I hear a lot of people shouting, cheering the athletes, I try to smile and thank them... I don't even know what I can do, because I get out of the water with a shock of cold because outside the temperature is very low, around 3°C.
I start to take everything off and get dressed for the bike. I am very concentrated thinking about everything I have to have ready to leave without problems.
Maria is waiting for me, cheering me up, giving me some hot water. I try to smile... I am happy, scared and concentrated, a strange mix.
Now ready, I get on my bike and run out of transition.Maria later tells me that I went out too fast.
I think I'm scared of what awaits me.I've never done so many kilometers on a bike and even less with so much elevation gain.
BIKE (180km +2700m) 7h00
The next time I will meet Maria will be at the 48th kilometer. We had already agreed on the meeting place and what Maria was going to have ready for me.
I go out to pedal, it's cold but I'm still overheated from swimming and adrenaline. I see that everybody has jackets, long pants, gloves... and me, nothing: just a pair of shorts, a normal shirt and already .... should I dress better? Well, nothing to do, if I get cold, I have to wait 48km more.
Just starting and boom, the first climb... and what a climb! I look down, basically not to think about how far I have to go to reach the top... ufff, I arrive and I say to myself, wow....si this is the first one.. hmmm... well I start to descend at full speed and of course... it's cold!!!!
One at 60km/h without gloves or jacket the cold starts to be felt... but I don't have time to get cold because the second climb arrives... ufff this one is much longer and steeper than the previous one... the same, I look to the ground and I keep pedaling...
This same story is repeated for two more hours until we reach the first meeting point with Maria at 48km, after having gone around Lac Megantic.
B1 - 48km 9h00
I arrive tired and with a lot of pain in my buttock. I tell Maria and she gives me a grimace like "ay juemadre" if you are just starting...
I put on a shirt underneath and start looking for things to eat in the car... as well as shopping, trying to think what I could eat on the way.
* Maria had asked several people to record messages of encouragement for me to wear during the race, I didn't know. She says, "hey..." and shows me the cell phone with some messages on it... ah... what a thrill!!! What a nice detail!
I tell Maria that I'm tired and that the next meeting point will be at km 70.
I start pedaling with a lot of pain and cold, but I don't think about anything, I try to push the pain away and keep pedaling.
The climbs and descents continue... now I can see endless straights on the horizon, but at this moment I'm concentrated, not thinking much, just pedaling... but after a while I realize that I'm falling asleep.
How is it possible that I'm falling asleep while I'm pedaling?
This is not right, I make an effort to stay awake. I must find a solution quickly.
The truth is that I have been pedaling with a lot of intensity, making a lot of effort and I'm still very cold... the body with that effort and trying to warm up has consumed almost all the calories I had... it's hard for me to stay awake, but I keep focused because I'm almost with Maria.
The best thing is that the pain in my buttock has calmed down a lot and it's not so painful anymore.
Finally I see the car
B2-70KM 10h00
I tell Maria to give me some black tea, I need caffeine and lots of calories. I stuff some fruits, dates, tangerine, banana and put some things in my pocket to be ready for the next meeting point which will be at km 104.
* Maria shows me other messages that have been sent to me... that kind of goes deep and warms the heart. Besides, the messages are full of love.
As I'm cold now, I put on a jacket and I'm ready to continue pedaling.
More of the same, endless straights, endless climbs... I think all the time that there hasn't been a single moment when I'm not giving my all.... I'm giving it my all!But that's not good at all, because in these races the effort has to be low to be able to resist all the time.
I start to enjoy the scenery a little more now that I am more protected. I'm still very concentrated and with the same philosophy....la quiet mind, being physically present. In general, I am happy, even if I have pain in my muscles, I feel good.
On the way I see several dead raccoons, crushed by the cars... I think that I am also doing this for them, that if they can no longer enjoy this land, I am going to enjoy it for them. I feel fortunate to have this opportunity, I feel blessed and very grateful, so this also goes for them and for many others who can no longer.
I'm very tired and cold, but I keep pedaling. I try to eat what I can.I have dates and figs in my pockets.I also have my favorite drink mix: a combination of water with electrolytes and spirulina. That gives me a lot of energy and keeps my mineral levels balanced.
B3 - 105km 11h15
Every time I meet Maria, she makes me change thermoses, one with water and the other with my drink.
There are also peanut butter sandwiches with jam and bananas that I feel give me a lot of energy.
I'm already tired, with a lot of pain in my muscles, but I've already gone half the distance.
The climbs never end.
B4 - 150km 13h00
At this meeting point we had agreed that it would be lunch. I am already very hungry and looking forward to eating something salty.
Maria had a lot of options for me to prepare a delicious bowl. I kind of wanted to eat, but I didn't feel like I was doing much either.
Finally, I get to the meeting point and several muscles already want to cramp up. I try to stretch my tired thighs a bit.
And finally the long awaited lunch.
We had a bonfire and everything!
What I craved the most was a consommecito... calientico (a hot meal).
During the ride, I was generally alone. There were only a few of us (about 80 crazy people) and at this point, we were all a long way apart from each other.
Already had lunch... ready for the last 30 kilometers, I'm almost there and I start to realize that I'm close to finish this race.
I meet Maria for a last meeting at km 170 to get ready for the last climbs that are brutal.
I pedal and pedal... at one point I'm so tired of climbing and climbing that I feel that the bike doesn't move forward, my thighs feel hot... I want to get off to check the tires of the bike to see if they are flat....although I know they are not.
I realize that I'm on a flat and that I have the softest gear ratio, the small chainring at the front and the big one at the back and still, the bike doesn't move.
Well, I stop... I take my time, take a breath and stretch my legs. It's not much longer... but as in life, it's good to stop, refocus, breathe and find that internal switch that makes the spirit start up again.
I breathe, look ahead and recharge my strength. I start again, trying to enjoy the moment. One pedal at a time.
B5 -170km 14h30
There, now I've ridden more distance than I've ever ridden before. I have very little left. I know there are some tough climbs ahead, but it's the end.
I'm starting to get cramps in my legs again, but I'm getting close.
Here I am coming to the last meeting before the end of the race.I only have 10km to go.Maria very nice gives me encouragement and I quickly get on the road.
Every time I see another climb I say... Really? Again? How can there be more climbs?
The temperature dropped further, we are at 6°C and this adds to the effort to keep the body warm.
Finally the last climb... eh, but it can't get any steeper. My legs are not enough! But no way, even if I have to crawl, I can do it.
What I do is that I climb it in Zig Zag.
and finally... the end of the bike!!!! Yeahh
Unbelievable!!! I made it !!! 💪
Running - 0km 16h00
Running map
The route is 42km with 1700 meters of elevation gain: some on the road, but most in the forest.
It is mandatory that the last 8 kilometers are done with a companion. It is the ascent to the observatory of Mont Megantic.A very steep and technical climb, quite difficult.Maria, as my traveling companion, the organizer, coordinator and also will be my companion in these last kilometers. She has been preparing for something that still does not know well what it is and that at first was very scary.
I change my clothes, which are super sweaty. I wrap up well because now it is 4°C.
I had an idea in my head: "when I finish cycling, what comes next is easier, running is my thing".Although it's true that running is more natural for me, it doesn't mean that it will be easier and much less 42km in the forest, without legs, with the cold that it's getting colder and also that it's getting darker.
"Ready" to go for a run.
In spite of everything, I am back to schedule. Just as we had planned.
Before leaving, Maria shows me more messages that family and friends have sent me... a tear comes to my eye. I also want to send a message and I say, "Maria, record me please". And what, my voice breaks, I try to say that I am very touched by the messages, that they touch my heart, that I love them and that all those words of love are very useful to me... but what I get is a mixture of sentences all weird... I also realize that I can't speak very well .... and that although I am very happy and everything... I am blown away.
I go to where the race starts and a man tells me, look at that mountain in front, look at the top... that's where you are going, good luck!
There is the observatory and the idea is to arrive at midnight. For now, one step at a time, it is getting closer.The next meeting point: in 12 kilometers.
On the way I meet some people (Melanie) and others... everyone is running accompanied by someone.We go through a downhill forest, not very technical but paying a lot of attention to take care of the ankles.It feels super weird to be running after being on the bike for so long using the same muscles. But I feel good, strong, happy. The forest is very beautiful.
After about 5km, we hit the road and for now, the next 15km will be on the street.
Maria overtakes me in the car sometimes and gives me encouragement, she makes noise with the little bell.I am concentrating, one step at a time and I feel like I am gaining speed, as the body is getting used to running again.
R1 -12KM - 17h30
I fill up the liquids and grab a few things to eat.Basically, anything...anything that has calories. I also feel like I need some salt.
I keep running, run into other people, we say hello but no one feels like talking much.
I pass Fred (that's what I named him because he looks like one we know). It's already starting to get dark, I'm still feeling good with strength.
R2 -17km - 18h00
I am feeling some muscles starting to cramp up.I tell Maria I need salt, but we don't have anything salty anymore.
Now I'm running down an unpaved road into another forest. Maria follows me in the car, pulls alongside, encourages me and plays music for me.
I get tired again.There are some small climbs but I can't run them, I'm tired....
No problem, I walk. I have learned that the body works in waves, in cycles. It needs moments of rest and it finds its time again, you don't have to rush it.
The day is still long, many kilometers to go.I walk a little, I feel cramps behind my legs. I feel that I need minerals, salts, electrolytes?
And boom, I remember something I learned from a super ultra marathon runner. She said that what had saved her in one of her toughest races were the bouillon cubes, those Knorr cubes.I tell Maria to stop and give me the sachet with the powder for the noodles. I'm going to eat it...What?" says Maria with an expression of "guacala"... uff what a delight!
I'm eating it a little at a time and I feel how good it makes me feel. At this moment, it is very teso to feel the immediate effect of anything I put in my body.
At this point, Maria can no longer accompany me in the car because I am about to enter a forest and there is no more road. We set the next meeting point at approximately km 22.
As I was walking, Fred passed me and was well ahead of me.
Now I get into the forest, it's full of swamp and puddles.In a moment, all the energy came back, the cycle I was waiting for... I started to run faster, to jump over the puddles, I move on my terrain, trail running is my thing... when I can't run because of the terrain, I do power walking which is now going really well. I go very fast, I pass Melanie, I pass Hugo and at a certain moment, I pass Fred.I'm flying in the forest, completely happy, 100% connected with my body.I don't think, I just move fast in the forest as if I have always known it. (The effect also of the noodle powder.How important to give the body what it needs).
I don't notice the time and that's it, the forest is over. I hear cars in the distance and some people talking.They are from the race, they ask me my number and tell me to turn on the headlamp, it's already night and I can't see anything... well yes, I hadn't even noticed with that adrenaline I had.
I put the lamp on my forehead and another light on my back.I'm going to run the next 3 kilometers on a highway, completely at night with cars passing very fast.It can be dangerous for people who are tired.
I meet Maria at kilometer 23.
R3 - km23 - 19h00
This is my last encounter with Maria in these conditions.Next point, at km 30, she starts running with me.
I refuel a bit and we say goodbye. I'm more than halfway through the run and I'm feeling tired but fit.
What follows is a trail in the forest.Very difficult, all uphill, very technical, lots of roots, swamps, dense forest.
I continue with a lot of energy and run guided by the light of the lamp. I go fast and I enter like in a meditative state, I only hear my breathing and my steps in the forest. Everything is completely silent in this region.
Although the kilometers pass slowly, I go fast, jumping roots, moving with agility in the forest very concentrated.
I know that any thought can take me out of my momentum and it is easy to twist an ankle. I watch the kilometers go by, lots of climbs, lots of roots, total solitude.Total happiness.Also, the sky is clear and all the stars are visible.I feel that my power walking has reached another level, finally I feel that I do it well, I move with agility and speed even if it is uphill... because here in the running.... there are also many climbs.
After several hours of running, and a little more than 7 kilometers since the last meeting, I arrive to the meeting point with Maria.
R4 - km30 - 20h00
I arrive at a place like everything mystical. There are people greeting those of us who arrive.They guide me to a place where they give me instructions and finally I see Maria.
She is ready, all dressed up and with a giant smile!
I change my clothes a bit, put on something warmer because now the temperature is very low.
And we are ready!
Starting the way, a lady tells us that there are 2 options. One is to go up the road and the other is to go up through the forest. I knew that the forest option could take us more than twice the time and that it would be much more difficult... I thought a little, I hesitated... the road would be faster, less painful, plus the fatigue was feeling strong in the legs .... but I looked at Maria and I saw that smile and that energy she had... she was waiting for this moment all day and training for this moment for a long time. And I told her, "this is what we came for, we're going through the woods!".
For me, this race is not about getting there faster, it's about enjoying the experience, the challenge with yourself.
And so it was, we entered a dense and dark forest with a very difficult climb.The next 9 kilometers will be uphill, as usual in this race.
We started to climb, to enter a dense forest, full of rocks and roots very difficult to ride.Visibility is very reduced, there is a lot of fog and the flashlight illuminates the dense fog in front of us.
We climb and climb... Maria talks and talks...
I hear her happy, it's nice to have company, not to be alone anymore, to hear stories, because at this moment, I don't talk at all, I'm just focused on moving forward and not falling.Maria is in good shape and climbing fast.
We have been climbing for about an hour and a half when we decide that it is better for her to lead the way.
I follow it but already tired and more clumsy, I start to stumble and fall a few times on the roots and wet stones.I know that we are almost finished, it is a matter of a few more kilometers.Two kilometers to go and we find a station, they ask us the number and offer us some noodles with consommé. Delicious, we each drink two glasses! That recharges our energy and we are on our way again.
My feet are heavy and move more by inertia and will. We continue climbing for about an hour and a half and I begin to sense that we are close, I know more or less how many kilometers I have traveled and I already feel that we are arriving. I begin to feel sensitive because now I feel that this is possible, that soon, this great challenge will be fulfilled.
After a while, we reached a street... the end of the road in the forest....wow, no way, finally!!!We walk about 200 meters and we see the finish line about 400 meters away: it was lit up with torches and red lights on each side. I can't take it anymore but I start running.Maria runs with me next to me... we get to the red mat, we run towards the finish line... we run with pain and we arrive!!!We cross the finish line at 12h18 am. 18 hours in motion. Happy, happy, we hug each other tight and look at each other... we made it!!!!
I look up to the sky to see the stars, to thank the universe, my body, the weather and my beloved Maria for making all this possible. The hardest experience of my life up to this moment and the most rewarding.
They gave us a couple of beers, a blanket, a buso and a beanie.Now we felt the cold on the edge of the mountain. We go down to a food truck where there is food and the only thing there is poutine (french fries with cheese and gravy)... of course!Whatever... what better than celebrating with the typical food of Quebec, a good poutine.It tastes delicious to me!
We wait almost an hour for the bus to drop us off where the car is parked, the place where Maria and I had started running more than 5 hours ago.
We get to the car, Maria drives to the hotel and we arrive at 3h00 am for a well deserved hot shower and try to get some sleep after being awake for almost 24 hours, one of the best days of my life.
End of the race and the continuation of many more adventures!
