THE IRON WOMEN OF IRONMAN

On July 27th 2014, the Ironman Canada triathlon returns to Whistler for the 2nd year. The iconic endurance race will take competitors through a 2.4-mile swim in Alta Lake, a 112-mile bike ride touring through the Callaghan Valley and Pemberton, and finally a 26.2-mile run around Whistler. Even though the average triathlete is male, more women are signing up for one of the toughest endurance events on the planet. While some may have a vague awareness of the significance of participating in such a gruelling event, there is that niche of avid enthusiasts that regard such an achievement with awe. In order to understand the experience of being an Ironwoman, we asked some of Whistler’s local female athletes to share with us their experiences of competing and training for Ironman triathlons.