T100 is coming! Cheer us up!

T100 is coming this weekend. 

• What is that? Quote from their website: 

"T100 is a new series of global triathlon and multi-sport events. "

• What are the distance:

"The T100 Triathlon distance involves a 2km swim, an 80km bike ride, and an 18km run. This distance is often chosen by first-time triathletes. It is also a qualifying distance for the Qatar T100 World Championship Finals. "

• A side note to triathlon distance: 

Traditionally, there are spirit and Olympic distances. Then there are half-Ironman and full-Ironman distances if you are into the triathlon world.

Glory 5 am crews conquering endurance race. And there is me, tailing at the back!

The person who shifted the gear from cycling to triathlon was Boomer, who made her full-distance Ironman debut in 2024. What an outstanding achievement that is! I cannot imagine how you would survive when the race asks you to swim, complete a fondo, then run a marathon for one event. I wasn't on-site to cheer her up. Still, I remember she could talk non-stop with people during Whistler Fondo while remaining on her biggest cassette to climb because her shifter's battery was dead. 

Dr. T is on his machine mode when finishing his half-iron at Oceanside recently. 

Spartan conquered the multiple Fondos. She recently PR'd her full-distance marathon in May at BMO.

Among all, I am always being beaten up by the 5 am crew, but I am still signing up for this event. 

This is the first time the T100 series comes to Vancouver. I had lots of doubts, but I gained confidence from multiple Fondos and the UBC triathlon. In March, I signed up and began my training. Thanks to Spice, she gave me her wetsuit and encouraged me to "conquer" the ocean. Now, my friends call me "Young Woman and the Sea" and are inspired by me because none of us have much experience with open water or water sports. 

I know many good athletes outperform me, as usual. I learnt from one triathlete that you can make three wishes for each race. Ranking from the lowest expectation to the highest, they are your star, moon and sun. Fingers crossed that I finish before the time cap and be safe. This is my star for the event!

Best wishes to all the athletes out there!

(Sorry for any inconvenience if you plan to come to the beach for other activities this weekend.) If you have some free time, here is the race route and schedule for this coming weekend:

On Saturday, the elite men will start at 9:30 a.m. The elite women will begin at 12:00 p.m. A cheering area will be available. Or you can watch it from home:

https://t100triathlon.com/vancouver/pro/

On Sunday, it's the race for us ordinary people, or the age group, if that's a better name. Dr. T, Spartan, and I will start around 5:30 in the morning by the ocean beside Jericho Sailing Center. Then, if we complete 2 km before 7:15, we will proceed to the T1 transition and mount our bikes. 

(Screenshot from T100 Athlete Guide)

The bike route starts from the Locarno beach (beside the Jericho sailing center), goes up to the UBC hill, then follows Marine Drive, turns around somewhere, and returns to the beach. It is a 4-loop biking route for a total of 80 km. Then, we will go back to the T2 transition. 

(Screenshot from T100 Athlete Guide)

Following the biking session, the running course is the beach line from Locarno to the Spanish bank. It is a 3-loop run to finish 18 km in total.

(Screenshot from T100 Athlete Guide)

Some potential timelines that you may see us from the cheering area:

5:30 start (yes, 5am style), and you may see us after 30 minutes. 

It's an Aussie exit (fancy name), which means we will return to the shore after the first 1 km and head back for another 1 km. 

From 6:30 to 7:15, we will finish the swim and transition to T1.

7:15, and for the next 3 to 4 hours, we will be looping on the Marine drive

Dr. T will be in front of us. Hopefully, no one is penalized by illegal drafting. Be a bus away from other athletes (12 meters, that is!).

My estimated time is around 3 hours and 12 minutes to complete this part. If we rank the speed of this part, it will be in the sequence of Dr. T, who is possibly finished in under 3 hours; a bus away is Spartan, then me, in the dust. 

Hopefully, around 10:00-10:30, we will return to Locarno Beach. Get changed, get your gels, and get out for the 18 K run. 

After another 2 hours, fingers crossed to see us at the finish line. 

Now Saturday’s workout

Warm Up
2 rounds (1 min each):
A. GHD Hold
B. Kneeling Hip Hinge
C. V-Ups
D. RDL

Tech
Deadlift
GHD Sit Ups

Team WOD
In teams of 4:
5 Rounds:
2 mins Partners working one at a time Max Deadlifts
2 mins Partners working one at a time Max GHD Sit Ups

Partners A&B Start on DL, Partners C&D start at GHD switch roles every 2 mins
Score = total reps completed

Solo version
10 min AMRAP
10 DL @185/275
20 GHD Sit Ups