So on the first lap, the part to the first buoy went well - not too busy, kept in line. My arms reminded me that I hadn't done much swimming lately. Got to the first buoy and rounded it fine. Had a couple of issues determining exactly where the next buoy was, but mostly enjoyed the feeling of going with the waves. Rounded the last buoy and had a tough time seeing the last buoy with the sun directly into our eyes. Picked what I thought was my target but ended up being wide right and getting into the weedy section. Ugh. Finally corrected myself, and rounded the buoy on the beach for lap two.

For lap two, I struggled with staying on course to the first buoy: the wind seemed to be pushing me left, and I had to fight it the whole way. Around the buoy and with the wind - nice. Around the last buoy and took a little time to find the buoy on the shore, found the tree to site with, then swam in, happy to be nearly done.

I was happy with my time.

Take the time to find the shore buoy.

So there were two transitions before we got on the bike.
T1a is from the swim to a run up the hill.
T1b is from the run up the hill on to the bike.

In T1a, I had got off the wetsuit with no problems, dried off my feet, and then put on my socks and runners. I've been having problems with blisters lately, and Dana suggested two things: putting baby powder in the socks and wearing two pair of socks. For T1a, I had a pair of socks with baby powder all ready, and they slipped on nice and felt good. The T1a + run up the hill is included in the run time.

As I entered T1b, a volunteer was reminding everyone that helmets on and fastened before touching the bike. I thought "I always do that". I slipped off my runners and put on my bike shoes, and grabbed my bike, then realized I forgot to put on my helmet first - doh! A nice volunteer was good enough to help me balance my bike while I fastened my helmet. Then off to the mount line and away. T1b time is included in the bike time.

Yeah - remember the helmet thing...

A pretty good bike. Three people passed me, but I passed two of them back. A cross-head-wind on the first part (probably averaged around 27), then turned into an almost straight head-wind (maybe averaged around 24), then a heavenly tail-wind (averaged high 40s and even hit 56), back with a cross-tail-wind (averaged high 30s). Repeat.

I passed a guy trying to fix a flat 4 times. After the fourth time, I slowed down by one of the marshals to advise that this guy really needed help or a ride, which is when I got passed by two folks.

On the first lap, with the cross wind, I didn't want to let go to eat, so I stuck to sipping from my aero bottle. Into the headwind, I probably waited too long to grab some chomps. And I really didn't want to waste the tail wind - I was flying! But my body was letting me know I wasn't being smart with the nutrition. Second lap, I still clung to the bike in the bit with the cross wind, but I got in most of the chomps in the head wind section.

(Results show me at 2nd in my age category, but I know I go off the bike ahead of the gal they showed first. She lost her chip somewhere, so they might have fudged some numbers for her?)

Not stop to tell the marshal about the guy stuck with the flat.
Work on nutrition. How to eat in a cross wind?

Found my spot. Took off my bike shoes, helmet, and shades, put on the second pair of socks and my runners. Grabbed two gels and a sip of water. Away!
T2 time included in bike.

I thought this transition went well!

Lack of hydration and nutrition on the bike plus heat that we haven't had all year added to a lack of mental focus meant I let myself walk too many sections of the "run", especially the big hill at the turn-around. Now that I know the course, I would probably do better mentally, knowing where the aid stations are relative to the turn-around, etc.

On the other hand, I mostly expected a run around the 1:10-1:13 time, so I can't be too disappointed.

I really enjoyed the trail run (instead of concrete or the hills from the old course). And I was so pleased that the blisters on my feet caused me no problems.

Know the run course better (check it out ahead of time).
Take along something to drink.
Fight the negative thoughts.

Crossed the finish line and went straight for the watermelon. Mmmm.

Picked up the post-race lunch and ate with mom and dad. Then picked up my gear, packed up the car, listed to the awards, and off to home.


Nutrition. Not used to heat. Listening to the negative thoughts on the run.


A most excellent swag bag was the first hint that this was going to be an excellently run race. Nick and Jason did a super job organizing Sask's largest race ever.

It was also great to have my mom and dad there as my cheering squad!