Congratulations Basil!!!!!!! You rock!

are you still planning on doing the one in Canada next month?

Thanks - I'd say definitely first and LAST time for an Ironman.
Awesome experience but not necessarily one I'd want to repeat - way too much training (tho mine was seriously curtailed due to fractured clavicle in March 2004). So, I had a very conservative bike on a tough bike course in order to make it through an ill-prepared marathon.
Ironically, my marathon was relatively (compared to other participants) a better time than the bike!

Canada - Ayumi, yes still considering the Esprit Half-Ironman @ Ile Notre Dame (bike portion takes place on the Formula 1 circuit) in mid-September. Let me know if you or anyone else are interested.