Pre- Race Muskoka 70.3

So lets start by saying I am more nervous then I have been for any other race in my life, and have not been this excited since Dirty Girls 12hr Night 2011.

 

I signed up for this race so I would have a long term goal to keep me motivated through out the summer to keep training and excited to compete  and not get fat. I wanted a big goal. Something new, with a new challenge and Muskoka 70.3 fit. After convincing some Saugeen tri peeps to join in, it was set, complete with some training Mondays in Muskoka. 

 

So sounds all good in concept right?? Except it is not all good yet. I did my best trying to get in swims- but really adult onset swimming self taught can only go so far. However, I did over come the fear of swimming open water by myself. Will do that now and just stick close to shore. The problem with swimming is just that it is just so damn boring. This is not Hawaii, I am not seeing any fishes and other amazing aquatic life, I see murky nothingness at Pearl lake.

As for the bike, yah it is hard to get in long rides. Lonely and slow if I go on my own, and frantic peddling when I go with friends to hang on to their rear for dear life.  I did commit to riding 20k to work and back every single shift except on my first night since I signed up and only missed one day.

The course is just so hilly and LONG 94k is long!! This past week I was up in Muskoka to ride the course and it was just to wet and thunderstormy to do it. I just wanted that last really good ride. I knew I would be riding with somebody slower than I so I was counting on getting 100k and at least 2k run post in. Yah but that didn't happen. As for my actually bike- I desperately need a new one. I feel like this past month has been a money pit. Sure a tune up is ok. But I bought a new wheel, tire and inner tube. Oh and my chain snapped- which was actually only a matter of time but I was trying to cheap out. Not to mention new bars, and tape for bars. Oh and new race shirt to match bars. Again, felt, cervelo, devinci, cannondale. swift, trek, orbea, quintana roo, blue... wanta sponsor a middle age grouper who is awesome???

 

Run, well if anything has gone to pot it has been my run. let just say I am not the fastest female in the tri club anymore. Often a week has passed and I realize I have not run. My mileage is the worst it has ever been and that includes the winter! Have I mentioned the run course is the hillest I have ever seen? Seriously, as a stand alone half marathon I would be 2hours. I figured I could let my run go a bit cause I already know how  to hurt but get it done on the run.

 

Training time will seriously improve drastically as soon I will be the parent of children who go to school full time... but a little late for this race. So right now I am trying to follow my training plans taper... but really how much can I  follow while working shift? Not that I want to quite shift but .... going slightly insane!!!

 

I am told Muskoka is harder than Mount trembant and I will have more time to train for it, and it is sold out. BUT I am signed up. So I do have a second chance if Muskoka is bust.

 

 



#BPMR

Yes I am using a hash tag to title this post cause I am awesome that way. No really I am a media whore and thrive on re- tweeting and public aknologment of my wonderfulness.

Ok enough with the self affirmation. A race report.. 

Luke and I decided to the Bruce Peninsula Multi sport race this year to finally complete last years race which was tragically abandoned  due to thunder and lightening.

This year the weather was fantastic, not to hot, but sunny and clear. Made staying the entire race day on site a pleasure.

The race was slightly altered this year so we did not have to contend with a tandem kayak (Which BTW cost us a $70 rental fee plus $300 for a new side mirror on the car when we took it off) Instead we were able to rent a canoe for $20, which was ready to go at the race site. Score!!

Early on I mentioned using kayak paddles, however that was shot down as 'nobody else will be using them." Ummm yah soooo, some people were, so I was right

The 4k paddle took us 38 minutes. Which was one of the slowest paddles of the day, second slowest of all teams. Basically we did not work well as a team. Luke and I were working independently of each other. As I have no upper body strength Luke just powered through everything I was doing. Also, as we paddle less than three times a year, including the race it could just be lack of skill/practice. The best part about the paddle was we didn't kill each other and everybody was so far ahead of us they didn't laugh at our domestic dispute.

The mountain bike was just as I expected it to be. Mixture of double track snowmobile and ski trails along with some fields and gravel roads. A little rocky but our greatest challenge was passing people safely. We did a lot of passing. Luke lead and I did my best to keep up on the trail. On the road and fields he had to keep up. Super fun  and it went fast. The ride was only 15k, broken into two parts which we did in approximately 24 and 28min. Seems to be on par with other upper level teams in the results.

The run was from Colpoys bay to Blue water park in Wiarton. Approximately 5k, which we did in 32min. I had pre run the course the week before so I could lead and Luke would just have to follow. Typically Bruce trail field/ road/ single dirt track/ rocky sections. We had a little pit break while Luke adjusted his camel back and I went pee in-between some bushes.

This was the greatest challenge of the race for me; I took a look at my watch and knew a time I could make it back to Wiarton in, however as a team we had to stay within 4 meters of each other. At one point I begged Luke to just run harder, and he was going as hard as he could but cause another team was passing us, I went slightly competitive and just wanted to go but couldn't. Also, we ended up having to wait for somebody to climb the spiral staircase on the escarpment before we could descend, which drove me insane. If I was on my own I would have pushed past but Luke is a better person than I soooo......

Definitely want to do this race again next year, I need Luke for the paddle and he pushes me on the bike and we will just have to get more running time in next year. We won our mixed team category. Earning two pottery mugs... I give them until December cause there is a rule in our house. Every nice thing that Anne has gets broken.

My dog bite with a temporary tattoo to make me look all bad ass, hard core mtn biker.

The next race of the day was the kids race. Ever bravely contended against older boys in the 5-7 age grouping. Apparently the feed back from last years race was that it was too short. Thus this year the kids did multiple loops around a run and bike obstacle course, and I think the feed back for 2013 may be too long. Maya was out there for 25min!! They both did exceptionally well and earned gift certificates to the candy store which we promptly we to and made use of. Several times thanking the proprietor for his sponsorship.