Bracebridge Triathlon 2017 - Ryan Dockman Race Report

Bracebridge Triathlon

Race Report - Ryan Dockman

August 13, 2017

                Sunday's Olympic was my 3rd year consecutive year racing Bracebridge and it didn't disappoint. The weather turned out to be amazing, the Team at Multisport ran the event without a hitch, and the sprint into the finish line was yet again another inspiring moment. If you haven't raced the Bracebridge Triathlon I recommend you put it on your list for next year!

                

                Two years ago (2015) I was challenged by my younger brother (Cameron Alksnis) who had signed up for this Bracebridge Triathlon. He had been a Professional Soccer player winning a few NCAA Championships and was eager for a new challenge. Even though I was 7 years older (33 at the time), and it had been almost a decade since I would have considered myself athletic. I couldn't let him race on his own so I took on this challenge even though I knew it would take considerable effort, focus and training to even just complete an Olympic.

                

                In 2015 I didn't come close to beating him. He finished his first in just over 2:30, but I did finish and was excited about the achievement. I transformed my health, accomplished my goal and I reaffirmed confidence in myself that I could take on challenges and achieve them. Since this rejuvenating race I have set new goals and set out to achieve them. In 2015 I finished 93rd overall completing in 2:48 and running the 10 km in 54 minutes. In 2017 I am happy to say that I have caught up on the field placing 23rd overall (2nd AG) in 2:25 and running the 10 km in 44 minutes.

               

                As for the course this year: the swim had a bit more current than usual. A quick tip for this race is to watch the weather reports the night before because if it rains you'll see the river current will pick up. The Multisport staff were great and recommended that downriver it's best to race with the current (in the middle of the river), and to swim up current closer to the shore. The advise helped and was out of the water in 54th place which is higher in the field than I usually am.

               

                Bracebridge's bike has some steep uphills, good downhill sections and long rolling hills. This race has a time trial start so it is bit challenging to figure out where your Age Group competitors are, but it's fun. If you can find other strong bikers to race with it makes for an exciting leg. I averaged just under 37km with help from my new Blade Carbon 808's. My time was 1:08, I jumped up to 23rd overall and was a full 13 minutes faster than my 2015 time! Good racing wheels really do make a difference; you can feel it while you ride and it will help improve your racing.  

                The run is an out and back, and for the 3rd consecutive year the sun was shining. I'm convinced the river must cool the course down because it was too nice out for it to be a mild as it was. I ran 10 minutes faster than I had in 2015, a huge improvement that I'm happy with.

                

                All in all a great race that I would recommend for beginners or seasoned vets. Last year I was able to make my way onto the Ambassador team and I am very appreciative to be able race Bracebridge year over year. Cam's since raced IM 70.3 Worlds and I've just recently qualified for the ITU AG Worlds and it all started in Bracebridge. Thanks for the inspiration Multisport, I look forward to 2018!

Ryan Dockman
Toronto, Ontario

#MSCTri Gravenhurst Triathlon

July 15, 2017

Race Report - Ryan Dockman

Year over Year - From 31 minutes down to 22 Minutes Off the Lead

     What a day! If you haven't raced Gravenhurst, or you're thinking about your first triathlon, you have to consider this race. Check out the pictures and you'll see that local Steamships escort racers out to the middle the lake,  you jump in, and 5 minutes later the Steamship horn blows and you're off.

     Like no other that I've raced locally, camaraderie and excitement builds as everyone boards the ships and you cruise into the bay. You get to meet people, talk about the season and racing you've been doing, enjoy the view, and you some time have time for last minute prep/hydration.

   
     2 Ships take racers out and I think the experience is great if you're on either one. Our ships race wave was first so we had a full ship cheering us on. I'm sure it was fun for everyone watching all the pro's and age groupers take off down the course.  Definitely an experience, I enjoy any day I'm out racing but this race gives you that extra experience to enjoy.

     Both the bike and the run were out and backs which I've come to enjoy. It really gives you a good feel of how you are doing against the field and the top racers. I had a good race, however I must congratulate the winners. I'm in awe at the pace some of the pro's and top athletes can push. That doesn't mean I just got to watch them, I had to chase. It really gives you motivation to push harder, and a lot of perspective on the performance and speed needed to compete with the best.

     I ended up 3rd AG and happy that I was able to close a 9 minute gap on the winner. Last year I was 5th AG 35-39, 31 Minutes off the winner (Jackson Laundry) and 13 minutes off Matt Wood my AG Winner.  On Saturday I was 17th Overall, 22 minutes off the leader, and 10 Minutes off my AG Winner.

     Top competitors in Triathlon are always going to be very fast and challenging (almost impossible) to beat, but I feel like I'm winning every race I can get a little closer to their level.

     A big thank you to the volunteers, #MSCTri, John Salt, and the whole Multisport team for having as an  Ambassador team member. It gives me drive, inspiration , fills me with motivation and challenges my abilities.  

     Gravenhurst was a great experience and again didn't disappoint. Not to mention we were up in Muskoka, and we got particularly lucky with amazing weather! 

Also thanks again to #BladeCarbonWheels for the 808's they are a fast improvement and to @KapokNaturals for support.

     

Rob #BladeCarbonWheels

Ryan Dockman Toronto, Ontario

Welland Long Course Triathlon

July 25, 2017

Race Report - Ryan Dockman

What a start to the Multisport Canada Triathlon Series #MSCTri! The weather was forecasted for rain, showers, thunderstorms (or a combination) but as we've seen this summer the weatherman is unreliable at best. It worked out for us! It was a great day, sunny with some wind but an amazing day for racing.

It's my second year on the Multisport team and this was my second time racing Welland. It really is a great race to test your ability at the longer distance triathlons. If you are thinking about making a jump to a 70.3 or even the full Iron distance I would definitely recommend it. It's a 2km Swim, 56km Bike and 15km run and the course gives you the opportunity to set your own pace and challenge yourself without being punished by major climbs on the bike or hills on the run.

Plus the venue is amazing. This is really the only venue I've been to that has a perfect set-up for spectators. And I couldn't have been more happier having them cheer me on.

Even though it is a race, it's you are pushing your own and trying to better yourself. Sunday was a great race for me. In 2016 I was 49 minutes off the leader and this year I shrunk that down to 25 mintues: a 24 minute improvement on the leader. 

My race time was 18 minutes faster that 2016 and was 1st AG!!! My first Triathlon win!!!!

The swim is at the Welland International Flatwater which has calm water, no current and a grandstand cheering you in and out of the water. The Bike is a flat 56km, that's an out that loops back. Perfect for pushing into the longer distance and the run is a 5km loop that circles through the grandstand 2x until the finish. This race sets me up well to vie for the Overall AG Series, but there's still a lot of racing to do.

A big thank you John Salt and the Multisport Canada #MSCTri for inviting me onto the team again this year and #BladeCarbonWheels for setting me up on my 88's - they definitely made a difference on Sunday. This sport and the series is a source of inspiration and I aim to continue to improve! 

And another thanks to all the Volunteers that came out, without the help these races can't happen. Looking forward to jumping out the steamship with everyone July 15th, at Gravenhurst!

Ryan Dockman Toronto, Ontario