Heart of the Lakes Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

Well, I've completely neglected my swimming this summer, so this is about the best I could possibly expect. I have swum just once since May. So, I kept telling myself, "I'm not trying to swim fast; I'm just trying to swim." That was my mantra. It went pretty well, and I only had a little trouble at the beginning with the cold water and the shock of the start.

I noticed that a large percentage of people at this tri had good gear - usually there are quite a few competitors with no wetsuit, but I felt like there were maybe 10% (including me) in my wave without.

Training would probably be good. ;) And probably invest in a wetsuit.

Here's the benefit of not having a wetsuit, I guess. I was 3/25 in my AG here. My T area was close to the swim-in, but SUPER far from the bike-and-run out. I think Emily said it was two blocks - I totally agree. It was FAR.

My mantra for this leg was, "Best Bike Ever." The time I've taken away from swimming, I've put into cycling. I'm very pleased with this effort, and I guess it probably WAS my best bike ever, all things considered. I've certainly never averaged 19 mph before!

I mentioned that people had great gear at this race - I saw a ton of super fast-looking bikes! Several that went zooming by me on the course. There seemed to be a higher than usual number of people in fancy aero helmets, too. Overall, lots of speedsters out there today.

I am usually pretty fast at T2, and time I was 2/25 in my AG. I felt like I gave it a good hustle. ;)

I can't even tell you how relieved I always am to get off the bike. I just love to run in triathlons! I have been a runner for most of my life, and I just try to pick off one person at a time.

"Eyes up," was my mantra for the day. I tried to focus on people farther down the road, rather than the ones right in front of me. I only managed to pass two women from my wave, though. I kind of wish I'd had another mile to work on them.

I felt like I maybe could have hammered a little harder, especially on the second half but... I also feel like I went hard enough.

My husband and kids met up with me, and we packed up and went home. I missed the BTers, which was a bummer. It would be fun to know some more faces at these events!


I need to remember that it's a TRIathlon, not a DU. Must swim.


Lovely race and a fun distance. I'll be back, for sure.