Although disappointed with his race time, Jeff Bridgeman, now back home in Unity, thoroughly enjoyed the overall experience at the International Triathlon Union (ITU) World Championships in Auckland, New Zealand, last month.
The full-length triathlon required competitors to swim 1,500 metres, bike 40 kilometres and run 10 kilometres. Bridgeman had set a goal of two hours, 25 minutes for himself but finished with a time of three hours and eight minutes, in 101st place in the 35-39 year-old male category, about an hour behind the first place New Zealander Stephen Sheldrake.
Bridgeman explained a group, including himself, got off course during the swim. They were swimming in the ocean and it was windy enough for large waves on race day, Oct. 23. He couldn't see the buoys and the current pushed him off course somewhat. He estimates he swam for an extra 20 minutes. In the running portion of the race, he had a hamstring seize up and had to settle for a slow jog as opposed to actually running.
Bridgeman was "really happy" with his bike and transition times. The transition area between biking and running was about a kilometre long.
He added, "I was also happy just to finish. A lot of people didn't make it out of the water; they got hauled out on the boats." This particular triathlon is considered by many to be the toughest in the world.
Bridgeman plans to keep competing in triathlons, saying there are six or seven in Saskatchewan and Alberta each year in which he competes. He's happy with the training he does and, even with the disappointing time in Auckland, doesn't think there is much he will or can change.
The only training he was missing was actually swimming in the ocean. The wind and waves the day of his race were simply the luck of the draw.
Asked about the highlight of the competition, Bridgeman said, "the whole atmosphere of the event. There were people from all over the world, all happy to be there." He described the spectators lining the route cheering for everyone. The entire 20km bike loop and 5 km running loop, both of which competitors had to do twice, "were just lined with people. There was always somebody giving you encouragement."
Bridgeman qualified last year to represent Canada at the event, and he was happy to see a number of spectators wearing Canadian hockey jerseys.
Although the professional triathletes competed on a different day and a different course, Bridgeman said they were very approachable and could be seen wandering around the site like everyone else. "We were all treated really well by everyone involved."
Bridgeman was grateful for the financial support he received locally, in particular from Compass Minerals - Sifto Salt and the local union CEP 677, as well as from E-Can Oilfield Services, based in Elk Point, Alta., which is his wife Armina's hometown.
A number of family members were at Bridgeman's race to encourage him, including Armina and his parents Bill and Celeste Bridgeman from Unity. His uncle and aunt drove six hours to watch and a number of cousins, who live in New Zealand but five hours away from Auckland, flew up for the day to cheer him on.
Mom Celeste said, "Even though we had an awesome time with Bill's family in New Zealand, watching Jeff compete was the highlight of our trip It was such a proud parent moment to see him run across the finish line and have them announce his name and that he was representing Canada - he did Canada proud as he finished this race many competitors did not finish."
