ITU World Championship Off-Road Triathlon

On Wednesday, August 23^rd 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. 

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! 

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!  😃

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. 

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.