June 25

GUELPH LAKE OLYMPIC

Great fathers day!!

It was a perfect weather day for a race. I think it ended up in the mid-twenties by the end of the run. Pip and Deb joined me at Guelph. Charlotte didn't particularly want to come so she stayed home ( and prepared an after race picnic in the back yard upon our return. Sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit and a beer!)

Packed for the race the afternoon before because I had two shows on Saturday. Consequently, I forgot my helmet. I was unloading bike etc from the car and panic set in "Deb, I forgot my helmet." Nothing to do but unload and take the credit card. We got to the site later than I like and all the spots on the rack were taken. Had to place my stuff under a tree but my bike had a spot. Too long finding a spot I felt like I was running out of time. I signed in and went looking for a helmet to buy. But there were none. I asked a guy at the expo, none for sale but he would loan me his!! Whew.

Swim: 27:07.Got to the water just in time to swim 100 meters and hop out to get ready to go. It was a mass start with swimmers self seeding according to expected finishing times. Took a green cap 27-29 minutes. Had a great swim. I love the mass start, way better than swimming through other waves. Fifth in my age group out of the water, 51st overall 27:07 including a 100 meter run up the hill to transition.

T1: Pretty good. 1:36 Wetsuit was a bit of a problem but ok.

Bike: 1:12:47 for the 40k. The kph is 35.9! Very pleased with that. The course was rather hilly but not too. There were a few of us that rode the course together, passing and repassing. At one point the course referee was behind us and watched for a while. I was mindful of space between but someone in front got a warning. I kept asking myself if I was giving it all and if I wasn't I'd pick it up or put it in another gear.

T2: 1:25

Run: 46:48 The run was a little harder than I would have liked but I put more into the bike than I usually do. This is where I really felt my lack of training. Very few bricks and very little biking in general except for commuting and that won't do. The last few little hills at the end of this course really took it out of me but I was able to reach the finish line before my goal time of 2:30. Hit the finish at 2:29:41!