Muskoka Race Report - Going To 70.3 World Championships

Wow, What a weekend! I am completely exhausted and still need sleep. 4 days of driving in 5 days for a total of 1500 miles, but after 4 failures at qualifying for Kona, I return with a qualification slot for the Foster Grant 70.3 World Championships. I am really glad I raced in Muskoka and it has been a long time since my last 70.3 series race - Timberman 06 I think? That area is really beautiful and the cottage we had was great -right on the water and the kids spent the whole time in the lake and ... the weather was absolutely perfect, including race day. It is a haul up there, but everyone did great, including the dog. Anyway, the race went great and I am happy with my time and it was a big effort. For me to race like that in the late season was hard, after taking a 3-4 week respite from training after Lake Placid. I really only trained a few weeks and went up there and raced. Here is the report:

The race:

Takes place at the DeerHurst resort in Huntsville, Ontario. Everything about the race was great, except I was not staying at the DeerHurst and they make everyone take a shuttle bus from the air strip to the resort. This was a bit of a pain and made the race spectator unfriendly (also no dogs at the resort). The should try to open up parking at the ski area, but I can understand that area doesn't have the infra-structure to support all of those cars, which I am willing to be would cause a lot of traffic problems. I ended up riding my bike back to the cottage after the race, about another 7 miles of hills.

The Swim:

34:42

Yup, long and in the fifth wave. I look at the results and the times look slow for my wave. I swam hard, but may have opted to swim an inside curve to last turn buoy because of all the traffic. I am happy with the swim and it was a big effort for an almost 35 minute leg. My swimming has come a long way.

T1: Out of the water on the 18th hole and a 400 meter uphill run to the transition area (Deerhurst parking lot). I am running past a lot of people walking up the hill. Time 4:02

The Bike:

2:46:16, 21mph

and then the surprise 58.3 miles and ... I was pre-warned about this course; I was told that "the hills are relentless," " not like Placid" and "don't burn yourself out in the first 25 miles." I admit that I under-estimated this course and the section of quote "pebble lie" - which means they spray some tar and drop pebbles on it. It was dangerous to say the least and I am just not used to riding in loose rocks, sand, etc. It would be more appropriate for a cyclocross bike. Anyway, I could have been better prepared for this course - doing two TT loops of Oak Hill doesn't cut it and my legs were beginning to feel tired at mile 20!! I still road hard though and will take 21 mph anyday on that course. I thankfully did not flat on my tubular disc. There were a few 40s that passed me, but this was a competitive race. Finally reaching the resort, I felt tired and wanted to keel over on one of the soft golf greens and take a nap. My legs were beat and I wasn't sure about the run, but then ...

The run:

1:31:36

I had a great run and felt really good. Lot's of hills and the turn around is up a stair-step hill of about a mile and a half. It looked like I would run 1:26 or 27, but then another surpise; I was just about to cross the highway to run back to the resort, when I was signal to turn down this walking path, which zigged and zagged, and up and down these little goat hills, which threw me off pace. I had a great run and ran down a many in my AG.

Final:

4:58:05

71st overall, 10th AG

Let me tell this sport is out of control. I got the last official qualifying slot. Everyone in my AG grabbed and I was VERY lucky to be headed home with one in my hand. That said, this M40-44 AG is VERY competitive. I knew this would be a big race and it was with a lot of fast guys. That said I am psyched to being to Clearwater for the Championships and this did not come easy. It seems every race I do is more competitive for these slots then the last.

Anyway, it was a big race. Craig Alexendar 3:58!!! He beat me by one hour. 10 minutes on the swim, 28 on the bike and 20 minutes on the run!! It's dumbfounding to think he could run 1:11 after biking 2:18 on that hilly course, but I guess that what separates the best triathlete in the world from a hack like me. He is my pick for a repeat win at Kona next month.

On to the 10K NE championships this weekend.

Cheers!