Ironman Muskoka 70.3

This is my favourite race to do! I enjoy the area for it's many activities and entertainment options, as well as the food in the area! I do not foresee a year I do not race Muskoka! For once, we rented an Air BnB and I did not camp. Also coincidence, last year that I'll be renting an Air BnB and not camping! I treat this race weekend as a solid vacation, making sure to relax in nature, take in sights, and race a beautiful, scenic, tough course.

Swim:

This course is up river, against a current, and usually wet suit legal. It was once again wet suit legal this year! Being in the first wave, I had some much faster swimmers swim atop of me while out on the course, but at least once down river, the officials let us cut the river banks and cross the buoy line. This made avoiding the brunt of the current easier. One thing also, this race has wet suit strippers, but also a long run to T1 that is incorporated into your swim time.

- 44:12.0 ; 2:19/100m ; 84/110 M 30-34

Transition 1:

During this transition I made sure to take my time to wash off my feet, put on some sunscreen, and get comfortable for the ride!

- 5:23

Bike:

I must say, I generally do not pass a lot of people, and being first wave in the swim, I felt like I was out there racing by myself, until waves of people came flying past me, and then it felt more like the race. It was a pretty systematic bike ride, just similar to the numerous training rides I put down on this course. I was aiming for under 3 hr bike, and paced it quite well, except I had to stop to use the port-a-potty as I am against peeing myself! I am an adult!

- 3:03:43.0 ; 29.39 km/hr ; 82/110 M 30-34

Transition 2:

Throw running shoes, cowboy hat, and race bib on and start running!

- 2:40

Run:

This was a great performance! I wanted to hold my pace and keep to doing 2 km run with 1' rests. I did extremely well for the first 10 km of running 2 km and 1' walks. After that I started dwindling the running portion to 11', then 10' then 9' between 1' walk phases. There were numerous aid stations and the hill on the course wasn't as bad as I had planned from training it would be. Mind you I did walk the entire hill. All together I laid down my fastest half marathon, during a 70.3! And I felt fantastic as if I could do it all over again!

- 2:25:50.0 ; 6:54 min/km 88/110 M 30-34

Overall:

What an amazing race, and thank you to the DRTC members that came out to just cheer! It's always great having familiar faces cheering you on while out enjoying (read: suffering) the course and race!

- Finish: 6:21:48.0 ; 819/1303 <- middle of the packer!!!

Ironman Muskoka 70.3 2019

TriMuskokan Sprint

It's been a hectic weekend, but glad to end it off racing!

The TriMuskokan is a beautiful race that is held by the local triathlon club. It is a true grass roots race that base's their foundation around an encompassing and welcoming atmosphere. More than 50% of the participants this year were first timers! It creates a culture that is fantastic to be a part of.

I had a tough and hectic weekend fitting in a long ride on Saturday, a friend's wedding, and then racing the next morning, but I made it to the start line injury free. The weather opened up to a beautiful sky and a great day to be racing!

Pre - race: I forgot my red bull pre race, as well my Endurance tap, so a little under fueled for the swim, but got ready for a relaxing swim in the river.

Swim: It was a wetsuit legal race and done by waves. First time I was in the first wave, now that I've aged up into the M 30-35 category. The swim is just down the winding river, with a little current. Nothing too notable, except no wetsuit strippers like the 70.3 hosted here!

- 19:34.7 ; 2:36/100m ; 14/23 M 30-39

Transition 1:

I decided to sit down, felt a little dizzy, and just took my time putting on socks and shoes before getting on the bike.

- 4:12

Bike:

I absolutely love this course! It's the first 15 km of the 70.3 course, and a net climb out, with a net decend back. I conserved some energy knowing the hills in the area, but tried to see just how fast I could get my bike up to on the way back in. Didn't notice Bryan on the bike.

- 1:04:02.2 ; 27.92 km/hr ; 12/23 M 30-39

Transition 2:

Uneventful. throw on running shoes, race bib, grabbed an endurance tap, and headed out.

- 2:03

Run:

My goal was to finish, and try to pace well. I do believe overall I paced well, just not to plan due to hills. The run is well shaded and well fueled so I felt great on the run and had energy to kick it up in the last km. I really enjoyed running the second loop of the run course with Bryan who did his first. The down hill home is always fun to pick up pace and coast to the finish line.

- 47:20.1 ; 6:18 min/km ; 17/23 M 30-39

Overall:

Definitely a great day, and the food is spectacular! This is the best race in the area for sure! And such a friendly and welcoming environment and atmosphere to be around. Cheering the final participant into the chute and 'tunnel of love' to accomplish their goals in the day!

- Finish: 2:17:11.6 ; 92/166

TriMuskokan Sprint Triathlon 2019