Racer preps for eighth Ironman
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Updated: July 21, 2009 2:12 PM
Veteran competitor Patrick Amundsen is warming up for his eighth run at the Ironman, and said the long race has not become harder or easier for him through the years.
“I can’t improve my time at all, it’s always 15 hours.”
Amundsen began his training last March for this year’s competition. He practices the cycling, swimming and running events all together, and has slowly been increasing his training distances every week.
“It works out to about two per cent each week additional.”
In addition to his regular training, he entered the Desert Half Iron competition in Osoyoos on July 12. Amundsen said the half-distance race went “okay,” but was made more difficult by the hot weather. Temperatures crested 33 degrees in Osoyoos on race day. Amundsen said he has a coach to help him along, and is working on improving aspects of his race.
“I’m a really slow swimmer, so I’ve been focusing on that right now.”
Snowshoeing is Amundsen’s sport of choice during the winter season, as he works at the ski hill. The 2009 Ironman competition takes place in Penticton on Aug. 30.
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