Race: HSBC Toronto Island Triathlon
Date: Sunday August 17, 2008
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Description: 750m swim/30km bike/7.5km run
I was really looking forward to getting back racing after taking a bit of time off after Ironman Switzerland. With Muskoka 70.3 on the horizon I really wanted to race, a little to see how my body feels, but really because I love racing. I did this race last year which was changed to a duathlon when the water temps dropped suddenly the night before and it just wasn’t safe. Last year had it’s normal first year logisical issues but this year they made some changes and there were no issues with registration and getting to the island. As it is a pretty small and somewhat tight course they moved the Try-a-Tri to Saturday and started each wave in 12 minutes intervals which worked perfectly.
750m Swim: Though I have grown up in Toronto I have never swam at the Island so didn’t really know what to expect. In the end the water was clear and the temp though a bit cool was about perfect. The swim out to the first buoy was a bit rough as there was some chop but nothing too bad, rounded the first buoy and things smoothed out. I knew for the first time this year I was having a good swim as there were only a few guys ahead from my wave and someone was on my feet. They continued to massage my feet for the bulk of the swim but it wasn’t too bothersome. Made the turn for home and came out of the water in 11:32 by my watch so was really happy with that. It is a long run up to transition so my time ended at 13:20 (I should have ran faster) but I was still pretty happy.
T1: Normally I am pretty quick in transition but somehow the strap from my wetsuit got caught around my ankle on the inside of the suit and velcroed itself together. Not sure how that is even possible but I probably pulled at my one leg for about a minute (or at least it felt like it) before I was finally able to pry it off. Normally I am out of my suit in 10 seconds. Finally out of the suit and out on the bike course in 1:37.
30Km Bike: As I exited transition the M40-44 AG rack was pretty full so I figured that I was in a good position. This is a fast flat 3 loop bike course. There was a bit of a headwind only in one section and only for about 2k other than that it was either tailwind or no wind. Because they spread the waves out the bike course was not too crowded for the first couple of laps. In the first two laps I was able to pass a few guys in my AG but unfortunately was passed by my training partner Pat Trainor at the end of the first lap. The only person to pass me on the bike dammit. Rode hard to keep the gap as close as I could but I knew that I was really racing for the spot behind Pat because he can ride and run a bit faster than I can. Came into transition and saw only 2 bikes on the rack so figured that I was in good shape for either 3rd or possibly 2nd in my AG. Finished ride in 47:56 for a 37.6kph avg.
T2: Much more uneventful than T1 I was in and out in 57 seconds.
7.5k Run: Felt good right from the start and I was able to get into a good groove quickly. The run is a mix of trail, grass and pavement two loop course but other than one little section of sand I quite like it. I was able to pass the last guy I was going to pass in my AG about 500m into the run. I was running quickly and saw that my gap to Pat was about 1:30 at the first turn around so pushed a bit harder to see if I could close. Unfortunately Pat saw this too and increased his pace so I was not going to get him. Backed off a bit but ran strong for the rest of the run. I knew that I was in second and had put about 1:30 into the guy behind me so there really wasn’t any point in pushing harder. Came around the last corner and did see a guy with a 42 on leg so did sprint to catch him but he continued on to the the 2nd lap so after a brief scare I continued on the the finish in 33:44 for 4:30ks.
Ultimately finished 2nd in the mens 40-44 AG and 6th overall and one spot behind Pat in both AG and overall. It was a perfect day for the race and congratulations to John Salt and his team for making the changes to make this a great event.
Congrats to fellow Team Running Free athlete Matt Freeman for his mens under 40 Clydesdale win and 2nd overall Clydesdale placing. You looked very strong on the run.
Next up is the Cobourg Sprint on Sunday and Pat is racing IM Canada so maybe I can finally get that elusive AG win.
