Bracebridge Sprint Triathlon

HSBC Bracebridge Sprint Triathlon – Aug 8, 09
Swim 750m, Bike 20km, Run 5km

This is the first year for the sprint race and I was looking forward to seeing what it was like. I had toyed with the idea of doing the half but my lack of longer training dictated that the sprint was a better option. I have been struggling with the fit on my bike all season, I was really comfortable last year but this year it didn’t. I had decided to book a time to get refit which happened the Thursday prior and so my first ride on it was in the race. I think had I done the half my legs would have never forgiven me. I was much more comfortable with my upper body but the slightly different angle that my legs were now in made for an interesting experience.

The race venue is great. It is located in a park right on the river so transition is nice and close. Parking is right in the park as well so everything is really convenient.

750 Swim:
The swim is very nice. You are swimming in the river so the first 300m is upstream and then the next 350 is back down stream and a quick turn back upstream and you are out of the water. The mens 40-49 AGs were in the 2nd last wave which meant that by the time we hit the turn we were in a wall of people. A lot of them stopped for some reason, maybe the current had more effect than I noticed. Having swam in rivers I knew that the least amount of current is close to shore so tried to stay close which worked as I really didn’t notice much of one at all. On the way back though I put myself right in the middle to get as much of the current as possible. Had a good swim and came out of the water in 11:45 and into transition in 12:22.

20k Bike:
After a quick transition I was out on the bike. It is a small path going out so you needed to be careful but everyone stayed well to the right which made moving around people quite safe. The ride is pretty flat with just a couple of small climbs. I felt I was moving along really well on the bike and through the first 8k I was loving my new position. The 8k mark was when I hit the first climb, that was when I wasn’t so happy with my fit. Normally I am strong on the climbs but my legs decided that they really didn’t like new position of my legs. It felt like someone put an extra 100lbs on my bike as my legs just died. From that point on my legs never really came back. The bike course if really nice, good road with just a few rollers. I would say it is an easier bike than Bala though my ride didn’t reflect it. It is a straight out and back course so only one turn to navigate. I held my own on the bike and only 1 from my AG passed me near the end.

5k Run:
Got out of transition quickly and ahead of the guy in my AG but my legs just didn’t want to run. A fellow that I have passed in each race this year slowly pulled away from me and I could do nothing about it, foturnately he is in another AG. It was a struggle until the 3k point when my legs started to come around. I had been checking my km splits and I was in the 4:35 range but for the last 2 I was running 3:50s. I was hoping to hold that pace for the full run but better late than never. The run is a relatively flat out and back course along the river.

One thing I can say about this year is that regardless of who shows up at each race in my AG I manage to finish 2nd or 3rd, 3rd again this week.

If you are looking for a nice spint race this is one you should consider. Lakeside has always been my favourite venue but this one is definitely a close second.

On to the Island this weekend. I have managed to get some rides in this week so hopefully my legs are happier with me this week. No hills so that should help.

Congrats to all of the Team Running Free finishers on great days but especially John Song who had a big bike crash which broke a chunk out of his rear wheel. John got back on his bike rode back to transition and then did the run. When I met up with him after he was covered in bandages and road rash. I know I would have stopped but John you are definitely one tough Dude!!