Last year (sprint) I started at the back not knowing how my swim measured up with the other ladies, but I ended up slowing a lot before being able to pass a few of them. So this time I wanted to try to start at the front, just to see. Well, it would have been good if I was able to swim a straight line, darn it (I usually am, don't know what happened here!). I know I added more distance and I was swimming a pace closer than 2:00/100m. There was a few contacts here and there, but nothing to throw me out of rythm.

At the first blue buoy we had to go right and I did too sharp a turn. I had to readjust once again to go straight. I don't know why I did that, I knew the course. I was a bit disoriented there. Next turn and swim back went A-1. About time :)

Close to the stairs, you have to watch out for uneven bottom surface; my coach said to keep the goggles on until the stairs and I'm glad I did. A few girls were caught by surprise and had to swim the last bit with their goggles in hand. Nailed that!

Run a bit longer at the start, very shallow in this lake.
Swim straight!
Also practice more OWS, Did a lot of that last year, not much this year.

T1 a little longer than usual, as I took the time to sit down to put on socks for the run.

In retrospect, not sure this helped. I had a couple of blisters that I think were caused by wet toes rubbing on each other in the sock. I am used to bike and run wthout socks, just not at these distances. Will try it barefoot next time.

That course is quite hilly (Garmin says 1,132 feet elevation, not sure if accurate). No flat part, one hill after the other. Course is out and back, 1 loop, with the last bit always fun on chemin Southière. Challenging but really fun and beautiful course.

I practiced on hills a lot more this year, but this was tough. I usually pass lots of girls on the bike but not this time, passed only 2, did not look at their calves for age/event. I was alone for a long while, to a point where I was wondering if I had missed a turn or something. Was passed by the occasional duathlete (mainly men on tri bikes) so not too disapointing. Effort was good, given the course and my bike fitness.

Nutrition : At my last sprint triathlon I had (loosely) taped a gel on my top tube but lost it during the bike. This time I put 1 gel in my tri top (small pocket at the back) and it seemed tight enough to hold in place. I still taped my energy bar on top tube but made sure it was secure. Would you know it, I lost my gel (again!!) but managed to eat my energy bar while climbing hills. I also drank half of my cytomax and 1/3 of my water bottle (both were hot at that time, ugh). This was not enough, as I would find out during the run.

Good transition. Just switched off shoes and hats.

Nothing, good here! (until I learn to ride with feet on top of shoes and jumping off the bike without making a fool out of myself, not much time I can gain here).

Run is by far my worst sport and after a hilly bike I was not sure how I would hold up, but was expecting a slow result. First loop I was able to run decently (for me) and just briefly walk the aid stations. Second loop and after passing the finish line it got tough. I caught myself walking in-between aid stations. I just had no energy left and would have benefited from that gel that I lost somewhere.

Make sure I eat a gel just before getting off bike, that would have helped. Other than that, just run more (I did not have the mileage I wanted for that run) and suck it up buttercup, I know I can push more.

Grabbed 3 pieces of watermelon (1 for me and 1 each for the kiddos, as per the tradition!). Had post-race lunch but was not that hungry. Stretched a little and went with the kids for a quick swim in the lake.


The not-so-straight swim, the hills and the heat, plus not enough nutrition. Let's just say I learned A LOT during this race, a first oly for me.


The only thing that was missing from this race was gels at aid stations. They only had water and a gatorade-type drink. So if you do this race make sure you bring everything you need to eat, there is nothing on the Oly course, including on the bike course (I think they had 1 aid station with gels for the HIM event).

Everything else, spectacular! I will be back next year for either the sprint or the oly, is it challenging, but beautiful and well-organized.