Burrito Union 5 Hour Triathlon - TriathlonSprint

These times are estimates from looking at my watch, I only have total race times.

First swim: Nice and easy, swam most of the whole way even though some others walked due to shallow water. I guess I have short arms. Fog rolled in about 5 minutes after we started and it was hard to see the next buoy. Finished happily in less than 15 minutes.

Second swim: Cancelled due to fog. It was fine by the time I was ready to swim, but they exempted everyone from their lap 2 swim for fairness.

Third swim: Felt GREAT to get into the cold water again and the swim went very much the same as before, just a little more tired now.

More estimates, but I definitely wasn't rushing my T1s. Had an Ensure before 2nd and 3rd ride, which worked out great.

Estimate times, added a few minutes each loop.

Bike 1: Stopped to fix dropped chain right out of the gate. So dumb because I knew something didn't "sound" right when I rode from my car to transition, but didn't think to check the gearing. Kept HR down and assessed hill and gears. It seemed worse last year.
Bike 2: Directly off the run, was HOT, so wind felt great. Pretty much the same as first bike plus a minute or two. Hills seeming harder...

Bike 3: Sunny and windier, but overall fine. Was very tired at end of ride.

These were a little easier due to small transition area. Actually gave my bike to Bob after last ride, I knew I didn't have time for a 4th race so I didn't bother racking it. Stopped for bathroom before 1st run, because I knew I wouldn't have a swim to look forward to when I was done. Grabbed a banana before 2nd run as I ran past our tent. Filled my bike water bottle with G2 for 3rd run.

Run 1: I knew this course was difficult and I didn't let myself redline. When my heart started pounding I walked. I stepped aside for a lot of runners to pass whenever I could.

Run 2: More of the same, but I'm tired and I am tripping a lot. Nasty ankle roll at mile 2ish left me worried and feeling bad for myself, but realized no real damage was done and was able to run back. A bit slower than the first run, but I have no idea of the actual time.

Run 3: I knew I couldn't fit in a fourth race by now, so I was just going about my business the best I could. Tripped a lot, tired, but in good spirits and didn't feel any pain. When I got to the turnaround I stopped to admire the waterfall and pour a delicious glass of water on my head. WOW that is nirvana. Even though it's a shady trail, I was totally soaked and hot from the day's events. I headed back down and on a speedy downhill portion I tripped again. Basically I was not lifting my feet enough, which I tend to do running. This time I couldn't save myself and landed on my right hand and knee and then my side. Good scrape to the hand (no blood) and a skinned knee. And, I am covered in dirt! Did it right in front of a dude who helped me up and then several folks asked if I was okay when they saw me. There are really no options for help out there, so I was glad I was really fine. Just embarassed, tired, and a wee bit filthy. Walked/ran it home, walking at any difficult parts of the path to avoid falling again. I thought Bob would catch me finishing, looking terrible, but he was sitting in the tent! Man.

Try trail shoes with more stability, learn to pick up my feet.

We walked to the EMTs to ask for a bandaid and they said I could get in the water. I think they thought I was still racing, but really I just wanted a quick rinse. I got in and cleaned up and then found clean water and started wiping dirt from my knee scrape. A first aid guy saw me and attended to my wound very nicely and I got bandaged up.

Well, then I find out that I am in 2nd place. By now we've spent so much time with first aid that we stayed for the awards. In the interim I cleaned up and packed a little, had a hotdog and hamburger, shopped for race junk, etc. I had my name called for 2nd woman overall and then actually was first in AG - the 1st place woman was in the other AG, so this was legit :) I was given a pottery bowl, a comp to a race in Duluth (bummer...) , and a Ski hut water bottle. I also won a door prize, as did virtually everyone who stuck around. FINALLY, I never win anything!


This race is awesome. I had 10 times more fun doing the 5 hour solo than I did last year on a relay team, because I was going going going the whole time. And 5 hours was plenty, that's new this year. Everyone with the race was so nice - Rod Raymond is a hoot and his colleague also did an excellent job. This was an excellent challenge for me and I am so glad I made the trip.