For those of you who are not familiar with Olympic distance triathlons it consists of 1.5 km swim, 40 km bike and a 10 km run. Unfortunately this year the water level at Britianna Beach was very low so they increased the course for a 1.6 km swim and also a few hundred meters of running to the transition zone. The bike also ending up being around 45 km.
In terms of the race, the swim was the worst I have experienced this far. There were 137 of us starting off in a mass start and I was punched in the head, ducked underwear and scraped with wetsuit pieces! Also, because we had to do 4 laps around a tight course all of us swimming in such shallow water actually generated quite a tight current. When you went to swim around a buoy everyone packed in together tightly and the current pulled you through. Quite a weird feeling. There were also spots where it was too shallow to swim so it was faster to run Baywatch style on the bottom. Then, when we did get out of the water it was quite a run to the transition zone. The transition was nice as it allowed my heart rate to come down and for me to dry off a touch. Then it was the bike. I think for me personally the bike is my weakest part. Sadly, I think for the majority of triathletes it is their strength. I was 67th out of the water, but was 112th after the bike ... yikes! Thankfully the bike was still comfortable for me and I kept repeating over and over in my head: you still have 10 km to run!! I then transitioned from the bike into the run. This was the most agonizing and mentally tasking part. The first 2.5 km of running after the bike was awful. My heart rate was out of control, my legs were jelly and I felt I was gasping for air. I just repeated in my head relax, breathe, just one foot in front of the other, its easy, relax. The run course was actually only 5 km so we had to do the 5 km loop twice. Thankfully at the 2.5 km turn around mark I felt my energy coming back and although my heart rate was still elevated I felt I had finally caught my breath. The 5 km turn around to run the second 5 km was a little mean. It was placed literally about 20 ft from the actual real finish line. Therefore everyone was cheering saying you are so close!! You are almost finished! It didn't help that the man behind me WAS actually done so he just plowed through whereas I had to turn around and keep running. The last 5 km wasn't so bad, but the last km I was VERY glad to be near finishing. When I crossed the finish line I felt exhaustion. My body and mind had given all they could and I was done. I grabbed a bagel, a banana and some eload and just sat on the grass feeling so thankful I didn't have to run anymore.
I'm really glad I finished this distance and am really proud of my time. Meech Lake is July 3 and fast approaching. I will take an easy run or swim tonight but then it is back to training!!
Link for results and pictures:
(click on the camera beside my name to see pics!)
Until next time!
