Lucy Ryan just doesn't know her limits. And she will likely be heading down a very long road before she finds them.
The Coquitlam long-distance triathlete just returned from Penticton, where she placed third in the women's division of Ultraman Canada.
"I didn't even have this race on my schedule this year. I was focused on the World Championship in November," said Ryan. "I was actually supposed to crew this race for my friend Ann Barnes but she had to pull out due to injury. So I said, 'What the heck, I'll give it a go. I have three weeks to get ready.'"
The Ultraman series sees competitors start off with a 10-kilometre swim followed by a 144.8-km bike ride. And that's only the first day. The second day entails a 275.4-km cycle before wrapping up on the third day with a double-marathon of 84.3 km.
Ryan led the runners out on the final day but was forced to pull up about 24 km in.
"I was going for the female run record on day three so I started out way too fast," said the 45-year-old. "I think I was a bit dehydrated and I ran myself, literally, into the ground. I was lying down by the side of the road at 24 k with my legs up in the air."
After about 15 minutes Ryan was able to get back to her feet and slowly begin the final 60 km of her run, alternating between a walk and a run. "From there I had a really strong second half-marathon so I ran it right out of my system."
She finished the event in a total time of 31 hours, 27 minutes and 23 seconds. The third-place showing is the best finish to date for Ryan, who has completed two Ultramans, 10 Ironmans and a number of long-distance runs including "the world's toughest foot race" - the 135-mile AdventureCORPS Badwater Ultramarathon, which is run through Death Valley, Calif. in July.
Ryan started competing in long-distance triathlons in 2006 when she entered the Ironman Canada race in Penticton.
"I discovered I have a gift for endurance events and I just keep using my gift. I just have not found my limits yet, I just don't know where it's going to end," she said.
Ryan's path now leads to Whistler where she competes in the Ironman Canada race on Aug. 25. Ryan said the Ironman - with a 3.8-km swim, 180-km cycle and 42-km marathon - is easier than the three-day Ultraman.
"You've got 12 hours each day to complete the event [at Ultraman] and you've only got a certain amount of time to recover before you're back at it again. The night time flies and before you know it you're on your bike the next day."
Ryan said running is her strongest suit, while the bicycle is the stage that gives her the most trouble.
"I'm finally a decent ascender but I have to work on my descending skills because I'm such a chicken," she says with a laugh.
Ryan will wrap up her year with a trip to Kona, Hawaii for the Ultraman World Championships Nov. 30 to Dec. 2.
"I did crew last year so I know what I'm getting myself into," she said. "If you can get through day one then you're good, then the rest of it apparently, compared to Canada, is easier."
She said the major challenge will come about eight km into the swim when the northerly currents of the Big Island became more noticeable.
"You're already tired after swimming eight k and you have to battle for the final two k."
