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A long long long time ago, my girl friend (now wife) were in Tofino training to be sea kayaking guides. I heard about Hot Springs Cove, and how some people kayak there. Recently, as a mid 50’s guy I have become increasingly concerned about aging, being lazy, and time running out to do the things I’ve dreamed of doing since being in my early 20’s. It was not difficult to convince my great, and even more aging friend, Stefan, who I’ve done some sailing trips with – to join. While his sea kayak expedition skills are limited, he believed in my abilities – we were off.

On June 28, the day prior to our planned departure to Tofino I texted my old friend from our 80 hour Wilderness First Aid Course in 1993 … “Hey David (Pinel), hoping to paddle Tofino to Hot Springs Cove, departing tomorrow. Wind forecast is strong – blowing 34 km. Should I wait until Wednesday”   We exchanged a few texts, he gave great advice on routes and wind. He has been there many times, now the owner/operator of the amazing kayak company, West Coast Expeditions. https://www.westcoastexpeditions.com/

Previous to all this, I was busy, and not fully prepared. Stefan and I both spent some time trying to get good maps of the region to plan our routes and camping possibilities. We had little success.

David advised, we could use the in land route starting on Monday, and possibly use the outside route on Wednesday when wind was forecasted to be low.  Keeping his advice in mind, we arrived in Tofino late in the afternoon on Monday, June 29.

We were told we could park the car close to the launching area without paying, however there are no such areas. The longest you can park is 4 hours. However, later we learned the town has not hired the officer yet … so you can park for as long as you like. (This is the wild Wild West).

Before we launched we met a delightful couple who was ready to take off in their power boat. They were excited about our boat, which is the exact model they used to own many years ago. She is the town astrologer and have lived on a boat house for 40 years. It’s a 2 and half hour paddle away, and it was in more recent years that they upgraded their kayak to power boat.   They were friendly and offered us a dock to sleep on and dinner at her boat house later that evening.

There were a few clouds, but mostly sunny, not to warm, and a bit of wind.

Getting on the water was as exciting as always and as we started off heading North West on the Tofino Flats, a bald eagle dived 3 meters from our kayak, catching a fish.

It promised an exciting trip.

It was surprising as we went along, how much boat traffic there was on the water, despite the times of Covid. No kayaks, no sail boats, but constant motor boats in both directions. It makes one realize that there are quite a few scattered villages inhabited mainly by the people local to this area.

As friend David suggested, the route was protected from the wind and offered very enjoyable paddling for the first 1 hour and 15 minutes. However, as we approached Flores Island, we arrived to the exposed area in direct connection with the ocean. It was about 6:00 p.m. and the head wind was strong.  We kept close to the shore but without much protection, largish waves, we were soaking wet within 10 minutes. After approximately 30 minutes we were able to find some protection from the wind by skipping from big rock to big rock making slow but steady head way. While we were enjoying the challenge of wind and waves, we were looking forward to getting to the area protected by Flores Island.

At this point, Stefan spotted a stretch of sandy beach with some protection from the wind with a beautiful west view. We quickly decided this was camp site number one. It was a long deep beach with a little fresh water creek on the side. As we were soaking wet, and the beach did not have total protection from the wind, it took a while to warm up in our dry warm clothes. We had covered 15 km in 2 hours and 45 minutes.

To our surprise, there were quite a few singing birds  in the deciduous trees by the beach. Unfortunately, we could not identify them due to our limited knowledge of Ornithology (Stefan says I pay no attention to birds.)

We had our meal, warm tea and were off to sleep. As I was drifting out, Stefan was analyzing the singing patterns of the birds – wondering if this could be a male singing to a female in the nest.

Surprisingly we slept until 7:00 a.m., and had a slow start, getting on the water at 9:00 a.m. A clear day with no wind, we hoped we would be able to make it to Hot Springs Cove. I hadn’t done much map work prior to the trip, but we thought we would have to cover about 30 km, which seemed a bit ambitious.

The beginning went very well, and we were covering good ground. It was not always super evident which route to take despite my Garmin Inreach GPS and Google Maps on my phone.  At one point the route narrowed to a channel (Obstruction Island). Before we reached the channel we were helped by the strong current and we reached our maximum pace of thrip … 5.6 km per hour according to my GPS watch. The moment the channel opened into a wider body of water at the northern tip of Flores Island, it visibly ran into an opposed current creating chaotic waves.

At this point, I insisted it was time for a break. Since I was in the stern and controlled the rudder, I made it happen. (Stefan was afraid of the wind picking up, as forecasted, and wanted to cover as much distance as possible, without breaks.) We were able to find a rocky beach with some grass, and many oysters.

We were about 12 km away from Hot Springs Cove when the wind did pick up, resulting in many strong but short waves. We paddled on wards until we were less than 2 km from the desired destination. We were trying to decide if we would cross the channel and go to the cove that evening, or find a beach and camp.

We rested, then paddled on the lee side of an island and spotted a beautiful sandy beach. We thought, that’s definitely a good spot to camp.  While the wind was strong, we were uncertain of what the inlet would be like at Hot Springs Cove, as it is exposed on open ocean.

We began paddling from the lee side of the Island into the 36 km per hour wind and waves … and knew immediately we would not be doing the 2 km crossing.

We landed at the previously sighted beautiful beach behind a knoll, where we were protected from the wind.  This was camp #2. We had just covered 31 km.

Our biggest decisions this evening, how to prepare our oysters, found on our lunching beach. We had no shucker, my small jet boil cooking stove could hardly hold one of these oysters … so we had a beach fire, throwing the oysters into the coals. The oysters would steam themselves, and open up. Cruel but delicious!

We knew that tomorrow would be a long day, with no wind forecasted until strongish West winds in the late morning. We woke at 5:10 a.m., and were on the water within an hour. With no wind, the crossing was easy. To our disappointment, we ran into a boat where the owner informed us that Hot Springs Cove was closed due to Covid. (We had been warned that likely it would be.)

As a result we were on the open Pacific by 7:30 a.m., heading South along the otter coast of Flores Island. There was clear skies on the west, while the coast was covered in clouds. The clouds would break, giving us occasional sun. There was no wind, and paddling on big ocean swells was exciting.

To our disappointment paddling on the open ocean, was not super easy … likely because of currents that we had little idea which direction were going. At some points, it felt to me, that we were not moving at all.  According to my watch, we did many kilometres between 16 and 18 minutes. This pace was discouraging.

It was about this time, Stefan spotted some ‘blows’. We were paddling with the Whales! We spotted at least 6, which we believed were Grey Whales.

According to the forecast, the west wind was supposed to come at 11:00 a.m., but did not show until 2:00 p.m. We were hoping to catch the wind, that would give us a good push on the inland route towards Tofino.

Finally at the Southern West tip of Flores, we have been in the boat for 7-ish hours without getting out. There did not appear to be any easy landing places. Stefan was game to paddle direct to Vargas, seeing there were no desirable places to land, and worried that the wind would pick up as forecasted.

2.5 km away from the presumed Vargas Island, I realized it was not Vargas. Vargas was another 9 km away.  While floating in the boat, deciding if we should carry on to Vargas, we spotted a beautiful beach with Eastern Exposure, completely protected from the wind.

We landed and lunched. We had amazing panoramic view with Flores on the North and Vargas on the South. We were on Bartlett Island. In nearly years of quite a lot of sea kayaking, this may have been the longest I’ve ever been in a kayak in one stretch – about 8 hours!

At this point, we face the opportunity to camp an extra night, or paddle on realizing we are still about 16 km to Tofino. This place is one of the most beautiful spaces I’ve ever been too. It was beach, views, water, mountains, green of the trees – incredible.

We paddle on. Do we go on the more interesting and shorter route on the outside of Vargas, or paddle on the inside where it is safer. As we were tired, the wind was unpredictable,  Stefan’s shoulder was sore, we made the safer decision to paddle inside Vargas.

We paddled, and paddled, and paddled some more. We see three other paddlers going in the opposite direction from Tofino  … the first fellow kayakers we see. I later learn from Instagram stories that it is my cycling friend Stephen Becker, also from Calgary.

Paddling towards Tofino, we see the sandy beach where wife Shirley and I paddled to and stayed a few nights in 1993. From there it is only a crow fly to the Tofino Public Boat Launch.

45 kilometres and 11 and half hours, we were very pleased to have the energy to pose for a selfie and drive three hours to Denman Island. (We missed the last ferry from Buckley Bay.)

I’ve always been interested in Canada’s North. I feel a draw towards the space, the land scape, and the people. The wild flattish land (in the middle!), the spruce trees, and the plethora of lakes and rivers. Perhaps it is because I lived in Labrador for 8 of my first 10 years of life. Perhaps it is the images I’ve seen of my Dad, and his friends, as they worked on The DEW line in his early 20’s. As a young teenager I travelled from Prince Edward Island to Yellowknife along with my grade 8 class as part of a school exchange. Later as a tree planter, a few of my crew mates did a road trip from Prince George to Dawson City and Kluane National Park during our break between spring and summer planting season.

Like most Canadians, I live, play, and work south of Canada’s 49 paralell. (Red Lake is not ‘that far’ North, being on the 52nd paralell. My friend Maddy lives with her family in Iqaluit which is on the 63rd Paralell!)

When my High School friend Bruce called me in November and said, “Bryon, I know our next cycling adventure … we are going to ride Fat Bikes from Red Lake to Pikangikum First Nation in February … in temperatures of -20 to -40 degrees Celsius!” I confirmed immediately that I was in.

New Hope Community Bikes, with support from the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) have been building a bike program for Pikangikum Youth since 2017. The more I learned about the program, the more excited I became.

“The Ice Road Challenge”, allowed me to return a favour to cycling and help a northern community.

My family have contributed to various fund raisers for global causes. Travelling to Pikangikum was pretty much like travelling to another country. However, it is my country. I’ve been thinking much recently … “Think Global, Act Local”.

On Feb 6, I met 40 other riders in Red Lake. We had an immensely satisfying ride, cultural experience, and adventure. The riding season in Pikangikum just got a whole lot longer. We delivered Fat Bikes and Mittens … and raised $50,000+ to offer further bike programming, education and youth employment.

New Riding Experience, Visiting a Canadian Northern Community, and Building a Youth First Nations Cycling Program – that’s a win.

I made a video edit – click here to see it.

What happened with me?  Age is just a number – but be careful.

20 years ago in 1997 I was playing squash at the Charlottetown YMCA. In the change room, three friends arrived in their run gear – laughing, having fun and were now going for a swim. I asked why. This was the day I became aware of triathlon, and the last day I played squash.

Shortly after that I registered for Spudman – an Olympic Distance Triathlon in Prince Edward Island National Park. My wife begged me not to. She thought I may die, or at best – just be way too exhausted to be any help with our two kids under three and our Sea Kayaking business.

I did the race – loved it, and since that day – 90% of my workouts have been outside in nature with friends/training partners.

Two years ago I decided it would be fun to qualify for the Worlds ITU race, and race with Team Canada.

A year ago, I qualified at Challenge Penticton taking 2nd place in the age group in a time of 6 hours and 30min. (37th Overall).

Over the past 20 years, I raced lots, had great training partners, and did pretty well as an age group athlete. I have loved training and racing was the icing on the cake.

I would wake each morning and excitedly get out the door to meet a friend each day for a swim, bike, run or ski. We varied the intensity of each of those works outs … and I loved them all.

I recently turned 50.  I’ve been cranky.  I approach workouts as a chore, and just get them done – ‘out of the way’.

Until this very moment, I was thinking it was just the aging process. However, I think I know what changed!!!  I’ve been training alone.  For whatever reason, I haven’t sought out regular training partners. I hate training alone!

Back to yesterday’s race – the  ITU Long Course Triathlon World Championships.

I dreamed of being on the podium … visualized running strong. I finished 9th in the age group and 77th from 821 (not including Pro’s) in a time of 6 hours and 47 minutes.  I was 16 minutes slower than last year.   My swim 4 minutes slower, My bike 1 minutes slower, my run 10 minutes slower – and my transitions 2 minutes slower.

I was a whole 37 minutes behind the winner of my 50-54 age group.  Even if I raced equivalent to last year – I would have been 4th this year & 5 minutes off 3rd. It was a strong international group – as I knew it would be.

I gave everything I had yesterday, and had the best day I could based on my training the past year. I’m grateful for my health and to have made it to the start and finish line.  It was great having five days in Penticton with not much to do but hang out with my wife and adult son, visiting old friends.

I’ve heard “Age is just a number”.  I believe this. However, I think we need to be aware what age does to us.  As kids, we naturally seek out other kids to play. As we age, we get selfish with our time, our plan, our own schedules.

For the past 20 years, the sport of triathlon has been about play. I’d meet friends and have fun. When it turns into Training … for ‘training’ sake, it becomes less fun. I recognize that the past year I ‘trained’ … without the play.

Are you looking to Sell or Buy a home in Calgary and need someone who won’t rest until you’ve found your dream home or until your home is sold? I’ll work hard to earn your trust and to deliver exactly what you need. Contact me at 403-465-0210 or at TheHowardTeam.net.

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. His aim is not just to please clients but to help them buy/sell a home in Calgary at the best price, in the shortest time, and with the least hassle. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.

My Pro Panel … friend, Mom & Wife two days prior to Ironman Arizona.

I’ve been active all my life.  As a kid my brother and I built go-karts, and used them to salvage junk lumber to build our next tree house.  Those were my earliest memories of ‘sufferfests’ pulling loads of lumber through the neighbourhood to build the ‘best tree house’. Then there was our interval sessions … tobogganing up and down the neighbourhood hills in the freezing cold in Wabush, Labrador and later Charlottetown, PEI.  In grade 10, at Charlottetown Rural High School Rugby practice, I beat the entire team by doing 266 “Down-Ups”. Forrest K was 2nd with about 255 … and my brother Tommy was 3rd with about 220.  A significant increase over the previous record of 60 or 70 ‘Down-Ups’!

A few years ago, I committed to an Ironman race every 5 years.  This was my 6th Ironman since 2001. This is a 5 year ‘check-up / cycle’….this is how I roll.  

• In the year or two after an Ironman, I enjoy the health and wellness benefits of what I’ve been through;
• A two or three hour run or bike ride doesn’t seem like a big deal or a long event.
• I have fun doing more local community races from paddling to ski mountaineering and can do reasonably well with little training or practice of the sport.
• About 2 years prior to the ‘next’ ironman, I begin thinking about and getting specific about training.
• I begin to think more about what I’m eating and how much alcohol I’m drinking. (I love to drink … and eat potato chips)
• I get current on trends in the endurance world. This year I dove into the Ketogenic Diet … with ‘limited success’.

My goal was to Podium at Ironman Arizona on 10-12 hours of training per week.

Why did I think I could?

• In 2008 I had an age group podium at Ironman Canada on similar training hours;
• In 2015 (as I began training for this year’s Goal Race) I finished 2nd at Calgary 70.3;
• This past summer I was 1st at Calgary 70.3 half Ironman – beating 2nd by 10 min;
• At the end of August, I was 2nd at Canadian Nationals Long Course Triathlon in Penticton;
• I trained this past year, not to finish, but to win. I sought out coaching and training partners who were faster than me … who would push me through sets of intervals.

What Happened at Ironman Arizona on Sunday?

• I finished 7th in my age group, 167 overall – in a time of 10:08
• I feel satisfied and happy with the result.

Why didn’t I Podium?

To begin with, it does not matter that I did not podium. Nobody cares – except me. A podium finish does nothing for me … other than make my ego bigger (which is hardly a necessity).

Since my last race at Canadian National Long Course Championships in Penticton, I’ve been pretty run down and frequently sick. While I was wondering why … the endurance coaches in my life said it was classic over training.

I finally had my blood tested in late September, and my hemoglobin was low. Again, the endurance coaches in my world, advised this is common for endurance athletes … and to rest for two weeks … listen to your body.

While I do not feel I was over trained, as I only train 10-12 hours per week, all the other stressors of life have an impact as well … as well as ‘too much racing’.  As a Realtor in this Calgary market, this past year I have put in record hours, for much less production than previous years. We are amid a tough market. Unbeknownst to me, my body knows this – and as explained to me by Natural Path Jason Ahlan and Endurance for Life Coach Mike Pascoe, it’s your body saying … enough already!   Your body is sending you a message – “Stop it”.

So, I would ‘mostly’ rest two weeks … begin to feel good … do a hard interval session … then get sick again. I had 3 or 4 cycles of this since the end of August.

I turned 50 today, 2 days after IM Arizona and I  feel very grateful to have completed the race in beautiful Arizona and to have done reasonably well.

A big thanks to Mike Pascoe

About a month prior to race day, as I was considering not going to Arizona & while making real estate calls, I happened to call Mike Pascoe, a Chinese Medicine practitioner and triathlon coach – Endurance For Life.   We spoke almost daily leading upto race day. We had fun discussions – me often sharing pictures of my tongue.  His analysis would dictate how I would proceed in my training ; push it, rest or fix!  (Based on my tongue … and a few other metrics!) I found this to be entertaining, interesting, kind, supportive and fun.  

I look forward to trying to podium again in 2021. I’m not even a tiny bit interested in doing another Ironman prior to then!

The Race – 10:08:49 – 7th in Age Group – 164th Overall

Swim – 2.4 miles – 1:04:54 – 1:40/100m  16th in Age Group / 245th overall

It’s interesting … I prefer the swim the most. I love the open water … the start in the morning twilight. However, comparatively to the Bike and Run – this is my worst discipline.

Bike – 112 miles – 5:12:16 – 8th in Age Group / 192th overall

I should love the bike…’butt’ I was in discomfort! This was a classic sign that I did not have enough time  in the saddle! .  There was a strong headwind  and I spent a good amount of the day ‘sitting up’ on the bike, instead of being in race aero position.

Run – 26.2 miles –  3:43:44 – 7th in Age Group / 164 overall

My goal was to run 5min per km to give me a 3:30 Marathon. Based on my run performance this past year … or two years … and especially the past 2 months – this was ambitious. I needed to ‘get some magic’.  I did the first 4 km on pace … then began slowing dramatically.  My goal soon became – “don’t stop … just keep on moving”. At kilometer 26 I was passed by an energetic beautiful 30ish gal … who suddenly gave me some mojo.   I picked up my pace and began to enjoy the run … until she dropped me 3 km from the finish line.

I was thrilled to have my picture with Canadian Professional Lionel Sanders two days prior to him winning Ironman Arizona and breaking the Speed Record for an IRONMAN.

My Take Aways:

Ironman Arizona was very fun for a few reasons.  It was truly special to have my 80-year-old Mom travel from PEI to Calgary then onto Arizona for the big event .  I had the undivided attention of my wife as our older children are away in university!  Moreover, a family friend joined us and entertained us with endless triathlon ‘speak’!  We all got an education about our  Canadian Pro Triathletes, it was seriously so much fun to do nothing but talk about triathlon for 5 straight days!  Above all, I love being healthy and injury free. Health is a gift to be cherished!

About Bryon Howard

Bryon Howard is a RE/MAX Realtor in Calgary, dad, husband & lover of self propelled sport. He and his team of Calgary real estate professionals sell an average of two homes a week. He is a member of the MLS Million Point Club, which ranks him roughly in the top 1% of productive realtors in Calgary. He is a member of the RE/MAX House of Real Estate that leads in the Canadian market. Learn more about Bryon at TheHowardTeam.net.