On
Wednesday, August 23rd 2017, I raced with Team USA in the ITU World
Championship Race off-road triathlon in Penticton Canada. This event consists
of a 9/10ths of a mile swim, 20-mile mountain bike, and 5-mile trail run.
The
swim kicked off at 7am with the pro men, then the pro women, followed by age
group men, and then age group women. I was in the age group women field so we
started at 7:40am.
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| Figure 1: All Setup in Transition, Hanging Out at Swim Start, and Women AG Swim Start |
The
swim was a “U” shape that went from one beach to another, making right hand
turns. The water was calm, non-wetsuit,
and simply put, just perfect conditions. I wanted 35-minutes and came out of
the water in 33:39. A fast swim for me - excellent!
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| Figure 2: Swim Exit in 33:39! |
The
mountain bike went from transition by the lake, up the side of a mountain with
gradual/steady climbs and a lot of Switchback S curves. The climb was pretty
uneventful; it’s just a grind. Sit in the saddle and be ready for a lot of
ascending.
At the
top of the mountain, three people at an aid station met us, they took our bib
numbers, and I noticed I made it to “Neverland” trail system. That was my queue that the climbing was done
and it was down the mountain and technical terrain the rest of the way. I
understand there were many spills but nothing serious. I wanted to finish the
bike course in 2-hours and 45-minutes and came out just one minute slower. I’ll
take it! 😃
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| Figure 3: Not Pictured - One Badass Mountain Climb and Rough Downhill |
Back
into transition, racked my bike and put on my run shoes for a tough trail run.
They took us up a disc golf course and then scaled up the side of the lakeside
bluff to a rails-to-trails road. Once I was on the flat trail, I was able to
pick up the speed to a run. I thought I would finish the run in about 1-hour
and 15-minutes, but my nutrition was spot on the bike, that I felt great on the
run!
One of
the Team USA coaches was out on the run and she said, “You look great! Look
really strong!” ... now she could have been saying that to every Team USA
athlete for confidence, but I like to think she said it to only me. 😃 As a wrap-up to the run,
you scale back down the bluff and run along the beach lakeshore, in and out of
water at most knee-deep.
After
that fun, you duck back into trails before getting to the road for the finish
line. I finished the run in 59-minutes. Honestly, I couldn't believe it.
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| Figure 4: Strong Trail Run and a Fast Sprint to the Finish Line! |
I
finished 11th out of 15 in my age group in a total triathlete field of 315 best
off-road triathletes in the world. (And I didn't come last! Yay!!)
I am
constantly amazed at what the human body can do and accomplish. I've had a
great training year, a super fun triathlon season, and excellent eating discipline... it's now time to relax and eat all
of the food! 😂😂
I'm so sad this season is over. It has been
such a wonderful experience to be part of Team USA.
