Wasaga Sprint Triathlon

Race: Wasaga Beach Sprint Triathlon (no swim therefore Du)
Date: Saturday September 8, 2007
Location: Wasaga Beach
Description: 5km run/20km bike/2.5km run

Some year I am hoping that I will get to do a tri at Wasaga.  For the 2nd year in a row I arrive on race morning to see that there are big waves crashing on the beach.  Last year I was hopeful that we would get to swim, this year I knew that there wasn’t a chance so left my wetsuit in the car as I headed over to check in.  It was the right decision to cancel the swim as it just wasn’t safe enough to let 400+ out for the sprint. 

First run

As this was a qualifier for the short course worlds they had to do a little reordering of the wave starts so I was off in the 3rd wave.  The run started fast and seemed to get progressively quicker.  I am amazed every time at how fast people can be.  I ran as hard as I could and was still losing ground.  I tried to hang on but eventually went out the back door. 

Bike

They made a change this year and made the ride in and out of the park a no pass zone and coming out on the bike I was trapped behind a number of riders that weren’t in any hurry so just sat up and waited till we hit open road.  It was the same for everyone so I didn’t get too excited.  It was windy but I didn’t find that it impacted my pace at all, it always seemed to be hitting me from an angle.  I was able to keep a consistent pace throughout the ride.  For the first time in an HSBC race this year I saw drafting on the bike, but only one.  This guy didn’t seem to have any interest in getting off the wheel of the guy who was pulling him along but at the turn around he had been dropped and was on his own.  I eventually pulled him back in over the course of the rest of the ride and blew by him so he couldn’t jump on my wheel (which gave me a great satisfaction).  Fortunately as I came to the no pass zone I was able to jump by a couple of people which gave me a clear run to the dismount line. 

2nd Run

I came out of the transition and felt quite good right away.  I was able to pass someone on the boardwalk which moved me up another spot.  I find that having the 2nd run short you can really go as hard as possible cause if you blow up you really don’t have much farther to go.  I was was passing a bunch of people but could not see 40-44 on any legs.  I was gaining on a couple of guys towards the finish line but they pushed and there was no way I could run any faster.  Came across the line happy knowing that I went as fast as hard as I could throughout the race.  Overall I was happy with the race and finished 3rd in my AG. 

I had set the goal this season to race in the HSBC Series and see how well I could do in the overall standings.  I was happy with my progression throughout the year and after starting the season with less than optimal fitness I was able to race myself into shape.  OK that and riding a lot with my buddy that was doing IM Canada really helped a lot.  I was able to finish the season 2nd in the 40-44 AG while having a great time and not focusing everything around one race.

I will be doing the Borden and Niagara Duathlons to end the season and then it will be time to start focusing on the A race for next year IM Switzerland.