Paul Wright, owner of Coast Progressive Physiotherapy, Kinetic Fitness and Gibsons Physiotherapy and a member of On The Edge Race Club, took part in the Ironman Canada Triathlon in Penticton on Aug. 29.
Wright, 37, has always enjoyed and supported an active lifestyle. He sponsors several local teams including a baseball team, two soccer teams and On The Edge Race Club. He was introduced to triathlons three years ago. His friend, Benita Leech, an Ironman finisher in 2000, suggested he take on this ultimate triathlon early last year. Looking for a new goal, Wright took on the challenge to take his training to the next level. Over the next year he committed more than 700 hours training for the event. He swam with the Blackfish masters swim club though the winter, spent early mornings in Trout Lake through the spring and summer, spent hours riding on his trainer and on the road and ran several times a week.
His training ranged from 13 to 25 hours a week. After completing several triathlons this season, he knew he was ready for the event. His goal was to complete the 4 km swim, 180 km ride and 42 km run in under 12 hours while having fun and enjoying the experience.
Arriving in Penticton with his support person, Amy Dickson, he drove the course and prepared himself mentally for the challenge ahead. Up at 4:30 a.m. the day of the race, he arrived in plenty of time for the 7 a.m. start. Four thousand volunteers were on hand to provide race support and thousands of locals were out to cheer on the 2,166 racers.
With all the racers lined up along the shore of Lake Okanagan, the race began.
Wright exited the water one hour and nine minutes later. It was a great start for him and set the stage for the rest of the race.
On the bike he drank and ate frequently in an effort to stay hydrated and fuelled. A photo of his four-year-old son taped to his aero bars kept him motivated. The ride ended five hours later after climbing 1,500 feet and winding though Oliver, Osoyoos and Keremeos back to Penticton.
Although tired, he knew he had enough left to complete the 42 km run.
He set a reasonable pace as the run began. Seeing others suffering from severe cramping he continued to hydrate and fuel his body.
The demands he was making of his body soon caught up to him as he started to feel a twinge in his hamstring that he knew was a precursor to cramping. He suffered some cramping but worked though it and proceeded towards the finish line.
Having saved just enough energy to finish strong, he gave his all the last 1.5 km passing several racers and finishing in 11 hours 35 minutes after starting in 501st place.
Although tired Wright said he felt a euphoria that came from setting and reaching his goal.
He has not decided if he will return as a racer next year. If not he will return as a volunteer and work with others in the community who have shown an interest in taking up the challenge.
Wright said it was the enthusiasm and support of friends and colleagues that helped him maintain his focus and enthusiasm.
He would like to thank his training partner Pat Dickie for spending hours running, swimming and riding with him; his fellow swimmers, Tanya Camposano, Ruedi Schnyder and Lexa Pomfret who swam with him early mornings at Trout Lake; David Barnum and Rick Cooney who ran regularly with him; Jim Gordon, a past Ironman finisher; Martin Prestage and Chris Koopmans who provided advice and words of wisdom; and Bob Craig, massage therapist extraordinaire who kept his injured shoulder loose.
