Burrito Union 5 Hour Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

I added up 600 meters (convered to yards) times 3 for the total number of yards swam. In reality the buoys moved a lot and I would bet, based on the time, that I swam less than that. But how to know?

Swim 1 (14:22): HOLY MOTHER-EFFING COLD! I haven't swam in water that cold ever. Every part of my body that wasn't covered in neoprene first hurt and then went numb. I struggled a lot in the beginning of the first swim, aided by the struggling of others. Two girls actually said "Forget it, we're going back" and turned around. I learned later they did do the swim. The back half of the group struggled ahead with any stroke that kept their face from the water. I kept putting my face in until I could swim and breathe on the same side. The lake is spring fed and due to a dam leak and recent plug, there was about 2 feet of fresh water. Once we passed the spot where the colder water came from it warmed a lot and that's also about where the numbness set in. I kept at it until I go breath bilaterally, which is when I started passing folks. You can walk a good part of this swim, so it was interesting dodging back and forth. In some cases I could walk faster so I did. By the time I finished I was somewhere mid-pack according to what my husband observed. I was already dreading the next swim and wondering how I would do it.

Swim 2 (12:52):
So, this starts with a transition from my run. I got about halfway into the wetsuit and my husband showed up, so I got him to basically shake me into the suit. They he stuck his long arms in and situated it in places. It was great! T3 time was 6:22.

I'd like to say I did this a lot faster, but really the buoys had been moved in. I started out pretty well, actually. There were few people in the lake and after the initial shock I got moving. I rounded the first buoy and about halfway to the next I was side swiped by a fast dude. In the whole freakin lake, he can by close enough that I inhaled a big gulp of water. Awesome! I choked and gasped while a lifeguard (i.e. local guy with boat) said "Did ya take on a little water der?" Um, yeah. I inched along unable to catch my breath and finally found a spot where I could stand. Yeah! I got my breath and continued on without further incident.

Swim 3 (12:02): My last T3 went pretty well now that we had the suit thing down. We cut this T3 down to 5:31 :) I entered the water much more smoothly. I told myself the numbness would set in soon and I got it done. I suspect the course was the shortest for this leg because I was tired and it was so fast. Although I didn't fool around at all and ended up swimming fairly straight. I was also motivated to be finished in the water, once and for all.

I kept track of my splits using my regular watch since there was only a timing mat at the end, but this is fairly accurate.

Swim to bike requires a run up a long hill (I lapped my watch at water's edge) and across ouchy gravel, so I am happy with these times. I put on my rain jacket for all three rides and was very comfortable.

I took time to turn my wetsuit right-side-out in the first T1 and asked my husband to do it for the 2nd T1. That helped a little.

1st: 5:01 (also raining)
2nd: 4:21
3nd: 3:40

This course is basically downhill for 7 miles and then back up for the next 7.

Bike 1(52:30): Raining pretty hard, with the added delight of large trucks zipping toward Superior and Duluth for some major construction in the area - which of course sprayed gravel behind them. I was wet and dirty but mostly okay. This course is a blast on the out but a total drag on the back. This year it was made even more pleasurable by a mighty headwind.

Bike 2 (54:09): The rain was gone and this was much the same as last time. Fun out, turn, grueling back. Several folks with flats and I didn't have anything to offer, so I kept going and hoped for the best.

Bike 3 (57:00): This was tough and I was actually concerned about having enough oomph to climb the last hill, which is quite steep. The winds had become swirling cross-winds, so each open stretch was very windy. There seemed to be precious little tailwind.

The run from the dismount line is fairly short and transition here is easy, I actually walked most of the time.

I did a potty stop before the 1st and 2nd run, although I don't think I counted them in my transition time but rather the run time.

Put on wet socks and shoes and grabbed my hat and shot bloks. I carried the bike bottle the 1st and 2nd time and my husband gave me a fresh bottle with grape G2 (my fav!) for the final run. He's the best!

Run 1 (35:24): My goal for each run was to not trip and twist my ankle so I took everything rather gingerly. I walked up most hills and steps, walked down most steps, and stood aside for a lot of runners. The first loop is fairly lonely since I am at the back of the 5-hour pack and the 10-hour speedys haven't quite caught up.

Run 2 (37:47): This run was much the same, but I was getting quite tired. My knee hurt after the bike and it was hard to get the necessary spring to climb the trail. A bit more walking but at least no falling!

Run 3 (38:18): Oh boy, I was looking forward to this! It meant I was done! I did the same as before - a very careful and steady plod through the forest. I let many, many people pass me by stepping aside. When I heard the sound of the highway, knowing I was close the finish, I was elated. I finished the sound of my husband and friends cheering and it was great.

I could use a lot of practice on this sort of terrain. I say I will ever year, but then forget.

After my last run I got some food, cleaned up (camp showers!) and dressed. I wanted to cheer on my friends who were still racing so ran back and forth quite a bit more for the afternoon.

I went to the very brief awards ceremony to pick up my 1st place bowl. The ceremony was much shorter than last year and they only gave awards to first place - what a bummer! The 2nd place girl in my division was there and she suffered a flat in her 2nd race that caused her to stop. I felt bad she hung around and didn't get anything.

I have enjoyed success in this division for two years now. I don't see myself improving that much, so it's really the luck of the draw of competitors. I think if I go back, I will do a team relay again. I'd like to try the 2-person but am open to the 3 person again too.


This is super fun race, very laid back although full of great athletes and really fun to watch. The scenery is beautiful and I am starting to find things about Superior to appreciate. I think everyone should try this race at least once.