The
McKellar Triathlon has a sprint tri and du, and an olympic tri and du. I competed in the sprint tri; 750m swim, 20K bike, 5K run. This was my second year here, and this is the closest thing I have to a home course. (I had a family reunion near the site the day before).
I drove down the day before for the reunion, and stayed at my Grandma's house Saturday night. It's a 2 hour drive, and the start time is 07:45, so a bed for the night was welcome, especially a free one.
I was tired from a night shift Friday, so I was asleep by about 21:30. A 05:10 wake up and got the the site shortly after 06:00. This meant I had a lot of choices at the bike rack. I got a spot at the end of a rack, so there was a lot of room for my transition crap.
Plenty of time to register, warm up, and chat with people. Donned my wetsuit and headed for the swim at 07:30. Warmed up and chatted some more. The race director made an announcement.
Delay.
Had to wait for the police for traffic control. No big deal, just floated in my suit and watched the mist on the water. It was cool in the morning, so the lake was really misty. Also had a good look at the buoys. Finally time to start. I told myself that there would be no breast stroke this time, just power through. Fell into a good pace and enjoyed the ride. Sited the wrong buoy at one point and went a little off course, but it didn't cost too much time. Misjudged the water depth at the beach and had to start swimming again, but made it out. Running up to transition, I thought I had yanked the pull strap off my wetsuit, but it was a false alarm. Into transition for first split.
Swim time - 15:07 (1:02 faster than last year)
Transition was slow. I was out of breath, so donning socks and shoes was difficult. Helmet and glasses and off I go. Got off to a quick start at the mount line. The bike course for this race is fantastic. Rolling hills and long flats. The pavement is smooth and the shoulder is wide. Had 2 gels on the bike, compared with 1 in Muskoka (the disaster). I thought that maybe I need more calories for my size, so I thought "What the Hell, give it a try." Pushed myself on the bike, and caught myself slacking off a couple of times. Finished and headed into transition, where I racked my bike, doffed my helmet, and dumped the empty gels from my sleeve (don't litter, please).
Out of transition for second split.
Bike time (with transitions) - 43:00 (2:34 faster than last year)
Out to the run and had good feeling. Energy felt high, and I had a nice, quick foot turnover. The course is fairly flat through farm country. Lots of people to say Hi to, lots of happy faces. Walked the water station at the half way point, so I could get at least one swallow. Off and running again and even had energy to pick it up on the last Km. Into the finish with a smile.
Run time - 28:00 (0:20 faster than last year)
Total time - 1:26:07 (3:56 faster than last year)
I'm very happy with the result after being so dejected after Muskoka. I've got the training bug again, and can't wait for next month's race. That's because it's on the same course, just a bit longer. I've also learned that I need more calories than I thought when I race. I'll fine tune the nutrition plan in training.
Oh, I almost forgot, 2nd place in Clyde under 40, and a nice, shiny silver medal (my first in triathlon!).
Finished the McKellar sprint tri Sunday. Shaved 4 minutes off last year's time and placed 2nd in the Clydesdale division. Full report once results are posted online.
My Dad broke his leg 2 days ago. When a person gets to the ripe old age of 66, you have to expect some injuries that didn't seem possible in your younger days. So he's laid up in a cast, but feeling very little pain after surgery.
Oh, did I mention he broke it skydiving. That's right; 66 years old and still jumping! (He started at age 18 with the
82nd Airborne Division).
So I got to thinking. My motivation has been severely lacking lately. Since my race in
Muskoka, I just haven't had the drive. But my Dad's accident showed me the "Go hard" attitude. Next summer is a long way off, so I'd better get off my ass and compete this summer like I mean it.
Whether it's jumping or racing, if you ain't cryin', you ain't tryin'.
