Guelph Lake Sprint Triathlon

 

2010- Swim-18:39   Bike- 40:55  Run-23:53   T1- 1:34 T2-1:15

2012-Swim-18:30   Bike-38:28   Run-22:24   T1-1:40 T2- 1:11

 

Swim

 

I actually thought I was doing better in the open water swim department, that is until I got in the water and got going. The distance is just so far, and open water is so unlike pool swimming. As is there is a break every 25metres to push off the wall and there is no slighting involved. I had only been in open water once prior to the race and apparently that wasn't enough. Actually the real issue was no sighting.

I only breath to one side, sure all good swimmers can bilaterally breath, but I am not a good swimmer so that is my excuse. My rhythm is a breath every four and that doesn't lend itself to bilateral breathing either. So as I was saying, I breath every four- to my left only. The swim buoys were on my right. I was so focused on not stopping to freak out that I allowed the pink caps to my left to direct me, with only an occasional nod up to See straight ahead.  could hear a kayak saying to somebody 'you are going the wrong way', and of course I thought it was some other soul.

Yep there was a whole crowd of us who slighted the buoy on the opposite side of the course. Turned around so I would not be a cheater, but in the end I am sure I swam an extra 250metres and totally lost my nerve to keep going. Went into panic mode a few times, and when I finally hit ground with my feet felt very grateful. Ran up the hill, passing so many people. Surprised to see the amount of bikes left on my rack. Was sure I was one of the last pink caps to exit the water.

Bike
There is a rule with OAT that these little races are not draft legal. There is to be no hanging off other peoples wheels here.....unless apparently you are riding at Guelph lake.
There were around 900 people on the 20k course at once between the triathlon, dual, relay and swim/bike. I was riding four across at one point. It was truly like riding in a peloton. A peloton where there are people riding mtn bikes and do not shoulder check and are riding as a group but at completely different speeds. Frustrating to say the least. One should not have to apply breaks while going down a hill.
Regardless, the riding felt like it was quick and easy. Reasonably good gearing on constant effort. Played cat and mouse with a few other people. Two in my age group. The one girl I was not at all worried about because I knew I could catch her on the run, the other, the one whom after the race, whom I congratulated for having an excellent race, I knew could give me trouble.
The other funny thing about this race is I could not remember if it was allowable to take off shoes and jump off at the line. I am actually rather good at this and can do it fast so I agonized over it but in the end made an awkward dismount. Breezed into transition, even though it takes more time, I sat on the ground to tie shoes. I really do not know what people do in transition that takes sooo long.

Run
It is only five kilometers of running hard I always say to myself over and over while I am killing myself trying to pass people. Love, Love , Love out and backs so I can watch for all of the people I know. Had fun yelling to my fast bike friends to not let me catch them. People watched, dumped water on my head and ran. Honestly people say they have trouble running off the bike but I find it so easy, well at least for this distance. I was only about 30seconds off my 5kPB time so not bad. Had no idea as to placing, shortly after finishing, a friend told me I had gotten fourth in my AG- and as the metals went five deep in this race I was ecstatic. I have not gotten a placing in a while it felt. 

Fun race. Keep on thinking I would do some much better if I had a better bike. I try to remind myself it is the engine, not the car. It is not  working, however as there is a lack of $2000 for a new 'car' I will just be trying to put more work in one the engine. 

Cervelo, Trek, Aragon 18, BMC, Felt, Scott, Specialized are you interested in sponsoring a middle age grouper mother? I am awesome.