"The Canadian Iron" is Ontario's only iron distance triathlon & duathlon. More than 1000 racers enjoyed the 2005 event and more than 1200 were expected this year. Naughton's, Clinton Lahnalampi was there for his second year in a row. Unfortunately the course bit back this time and he was unable to complete the run

And don't forget the Half Iron event. Numerous locals took on this slightly less taxing event. Donna Smrek, Lise Edwards, Bob Bagley, Robert Masih, Jan Weeres and Dave Pope competed in the Solo class while Andrea Ford, Richard Ford and Jim Lung took part in the Iron Distance Relay. All performed admirably. Dave Unfortunately Dave Pope had a spot of bother in the water and was unable to complete the event. Please read his note below. Donna and Lise provide their insights following Dave's.

Results Here

Hi Vince and fellow Rocks:

We are just back from a well, interesting, Ottawa half iron tri. In this
report I want to describe my shortened race and I am requesting assistance
from a well informed group to help me solve a distressing dilemma.

I had been looking forward to my first half iron distance after a summer of
good (for me) results in Olympic and sprint triathlons. It was comforting
to meet other Rocks and Sudbury competitors before the event and to receive
their good wishes. Since I was not around at the end to participate in the
post race camaraderie or to congratulate Robert, Jan, Donna, Lise and Bob
and the relay crew on their race, I offer my heartiest congrats now.

My difficulties started about 1000m into the swim, a shortness of breath and
reduced power in my swimming stroke. This experience was not new to me as I
have encountered these symptoms before. The worst episode was in Espanola,
2004, when I ended up in emerg with what was diagnosed as congestive heart
failure.(CHF) After, thankfully, only an overnight stay I was back to
normal. With the timely intervention of a another emerg physician who
competed in triathlons we determined the problem was not CHF but some other
unknown cause. Both cardiology and respirology consultations came up
without explanations. After much search(thanks google!) we discovered
"swimming induced pulmonary edema". The symptoms matched mine but the
prevention of recurrence was not clear. I have developed some coping
strategies but they have had mixed results since this summer I have
experienced similar but mild effects that did not prevent me from continuing
on to the bike and run. Saturday, however, was different.

I continued swimming slowly until the second last orange buoy where I was
reduced to a slow breast stroke. When I eventually emerged from the water I
was having much difficulty breathing and had a rattling in my chest, called
rales, which is extremely disconcerting to hear. My wife(and protector from
self destruction) took me to the medical tent where the administration of
oxygen and some rest reduced the breathing symptoms and I felt a little
better. I signed off on a hospital visit because I knew that rest and time
would fix the problem. It did, but the rales continued for quite a few
hours.

Now back home I feel great(I have even gone swimming!) and will start
looking for more strategies to eliminate this problem because I enjoy
competing in triathlons, my swim portion (when problem free) is probably my
best event, and I am a stubborn sob.

Now that I have told my tale of woe I have a request of the readership of
this report to help me with a few questions: Has anyone else experienced
similar difficulties? Does anyone have coping strategies they can offer.
Are there exercise physiologists or medical practicioners one could consult?
Are there facilities where one could get some kind of fitness test which
might uncover weaknesses or physiological problems.?

I have read a few articles which we found by googling "swimming induced
pulmonary edema". If you want to read some interesting papers, give it a
try. There is one article in the Journal of Emergency Medicine, July 2006,
which describes a triathlon competitor who experienced the same symptoms as
I did.

Thanks for your patience with this report. I wanted to inform the Rocks
members who might have seen a lonely blue Cervelo in the transition area and
wondered what had happened to me and I wanted to request assistance from a
group of knowledgeable and experienced athletes.

Yours in triathlons, Dave Pope

P.S. please contact me at davidpope@sympatico.ca or 705-285-4364

Donna Smrek writes:

Hey Vince,

Thought I would drop you a little line, we will follow-up with a race report, on the 1/2 ironman in Ottawa. Lise and I did FANTASTIC. We both finished way ahead of our goals, with huge smiles and inspired to push even harder - not right away but eventually.

The lap format was great, at first I thought I would not like it but it was great to see everyone and hear yourself being cheered on by familiar voices. Jan, Rob, Jim, Lise and of course old Baggy were on the trail.

My race went really well, I shaved 5 mins off my swim time from Muskoka, no nerves this race morning, I was not the Drama Queen any more, my bike went even better, it helped that it was relatively flat and then my run, under cloudy 22 degree skies was perfect. I started out and my legs felt great they weren't heavy off the bike but Bob was right beside me so I had to tune him out and just try to go my own pace, him and his damn Garmin. I only glanced at my watch at each turn around, 5 km markers approx., after the first one I was still comfortable and figured I would keep this pace as long as I could, my legs still felt great. The sun came out a little after 10 km but I had completed that in just under an hour. After 12 km I started to hear your voice, 'you can run harder, 27 degrees isn't hot it could be 30' and I worked to keep my pace up, Lise was on the run course with a big smile and high fives so a kick of adrenaline every once in a while worked wonders. As I turned around to do the final 5 Km lap I heard you again, '5 more laps at Delki, that's it, you can do it', I saw Lise again and with about 3 km left I really had to push to get it done. About 1 km out from the finish I ran up beside another runner and he said, your pace looks good can you drag me in? - sure, let's go - then just as we are approaching the finish he says, 'You know we are at 5:58 if we hustle we can break 6 hrs' , DAMN, I heard your voice as I thought for a second, 'It will hurt to get want you want' so as the guy picked up his pace I followed him in and finished in 5:59:14 - an hour faster than I thought I was capable of. Big smile and lots of Sudbury crew at the finish to walk me out and feed me.

Just thought I'd fill you in on some of the details and let you know that you I appreciated your help, once again. My 1/2 marathon time of 2:04 was my second best ever and know I know that that 2 hr mark is just a mental barrier, Niagara here I come sub-2 hours I'm pretty sure.

Thanks Vince
Donna

Lise Edwards writes:   Good Afternoon Vince,

I'm sure by now you've heard from Bob that he beat me in Ottawa! I have to tell you he was on a mission...every pass he asked how far ahead Donna was and I didn't let on that she was just a little bit ahead...beating me was one thing, but the two of us taken out by the old boy wasn't going to happen.

So we traveled together and got to Ottawa early enough to pick up our kits and check out the very nice flat route. We drove the bike course and the run course was on the pathway next to the bike course so we knew what to expect in the morning.

We had a great pasta dinner together and didn't talk much about the event...felt good about the route and the venue was nice...a little long on the bike transition, but nothing to complain about after seeing the wonderful hills that Muskoka have to offer.

We were at the venue by 7:00 a.m. and ran into Andrea and Richard Ford, saw Jan Weeres and then Jim and Robert Masih were there as well. It was great to see so many familiar faces at the event...we even ran into Dave Pope.

The swim was great, water was calm, mass start but I hung back and avoided the traffic. All I wanted was to get through the swim without any feeling of panic or being kicked and I was successful at achieving both goals.

My swim was 49 minutes and I was happy to see the old guys bike still racked...I beat him out of the water. Then I changed quickly and off onto the bike course. 6 loops and it was nice to see familiar faces along the way...Donna, Jan, Robert, oh yeah then the old guy passed me....bastard :)

I had a great ride, average of 27km/h and I ate my food, hydrated well and even stopped for a necessary bathroom break.

I finished the bike in 3:19 and off onto the run...have I mentioned how much I love to run. I put my shoes on and you couldn't wipe the smile off my face. I survived the swim, enjoyed the bike ride and now I was doing what I love the best, running.

I passed Donna twice and then the old guy there was no catching him and he couldn't catch Donna so it was all good. I met a couple walking on the path on my way in and asked if they had the time...my goal was under 8 hours and I didn't have a watch on...time didn't matter finishing this event was really all I wanted to do. They told me it was 3:00 and I did a quick calculation and squealed in delight I was at the six hour mark and I was on my way in to the finish. My run time was a respectable 2:02 and I finished overall with 6:23:39. So I lost to the old guy...he had an amazing bike ride the bugger and I did beat him in two of the three events...faster swim (barely) and faster run so I'm not hanging my head in shame...he is really gloating as you can well imagine.

We went out for drinks to celebrate our accomplishments, Donna finished under six hours, Bob beat me and I did it under eight hours so I have to say we were all winners. Jan Weeres won her age category, Andrea Ford's team got the bronze and Bob the bugger won third in his age category. What a way to end the training season. So I let Bob beat me the first time and next year....look out old man the women are going to take you out.

A special thank you to Steve Tremblay for coaching me for the event. I tried to get all of the training in with my busy schedule it was tough to do some days, but I finished. Thanks again.

Happy Trails,
Lise Edwards
Loser to the Old Britt

Sunday, September 10, 2006 THIS SUNDAY!!!