Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time! -- Muskoka Sprint Tri Race Report

There's good news, and there's bad news. Since I'm not going to take the time to poll which one all of you want first, I'll just go ahead, and spill it all.


I signed up for the Muskoka Sprint Triathlon after learning that one of the guys from my masters/triathlon club was too... it seemed like a good idea at the time. A Saturday afternoon race, when the Sunday was already double-booked!


With a 4pm start, there was plenty of time to make the 2+ hour trek north the same day. I had been nervous of the possibility of melting with the temperatures we've been having recently, but quickly found out that it was cooler up there than it was at home! Bonus!


Picked up my kit, pink swim cap for wave 3 start, timing chip, and body marked before setting up transition, still with plenty of time. Bumped in Marlene a few times, who was doing the run leg as a relay... still working on getting her to become a triathlete! *wink, wink*


With still more than 2 hours to go, we walked into town to get some food. A slice of pizza may not have been the best choice, but it was close, a familiar chain, and with a few hours to go before starting, figured would be ok. Heading back to transition, from across the street we hear this guy's voice... yelling out at us, unsure of the words, because I wasn't really listening. Turned to look, it was one of the managers from the days when I worked in the office, his wife was racing today! YAY!


Most triathlons I've done have had a triangle shaped swim, so you enter where you begin... this one was a little different. With about an hour before the start, we headed to find the swim start... the gravel road seemed endless. Not many people there yet, and not much to see, still unsure how the swim start would be with a few narrow stairways, and no beach area.  Headed back to transition for one last restroom break, get my wetsuit, goggles, and cap to turn right back around and make the walk back.

Deep water start

SWIM: Wetsuit on, crap, sunglasses are on my head, hoped I'd be able to catch Jay on my way out of the water to get them for the bike and run. Into the water for a quick warm-up and to assess the water, and soon into the water with Karly, my co-worker's wife for our wave start. Had contemplated wearing the wetsuit with the heat and humidity, but while treading water for a few minutes prior to starting, I was happy to have it on!


Stroke, stroke, stroke, swim, swim, swim, I got into a groove, and just went. Easy, straight line from point to point, no worries about turning the corner at a buoy. Race announcers said they didn't care if we were on the left, or right of it, so none of the usual crowding, so that was nice for a change. Eventually, I caught up to, and passed a few swimmers from waves 1 and 2, and found myself at steps climbing out and running up to transition. Grabbed my glasses from Jay, high-fived my co-worker, and continued onto transition, where I saw Marlene.

See me there, climbing the stairs? 2nd out of the water for my AG, catching up to a few from previous waves!

Bike: Heading out onto the bike, I was prepared for hills. I had overheard some racers who had previously done the course, and was also warned in both the pre-race letter, and by overhearing others about some bumpy roads. Having been worried about hydration, I've been experimenting with some e-Load electrolyte recently, and decided I'd use it for race day. As per the packet instructions, I poured two packages into a 1.5L bottle of water, shook it up, and poured it into my 40oz. Speedfil. Started drinking a bit early on while getting settled into a groove... and it wasn't long before I started having some mild discomfort in my stomach. Yuck.  


The best part of the 20k ride was at the 10k turn-around. Not only being I was now heading back, and half way done the ride, and getting closer to finishing, which at this point was a good thing considering how I was starting to feel... but because a good running friend of mine, Tina, and her husband were waiting there to cheer me on!! With a hairpin turn, it took everything I had to muster a smile, a quick wave, stay with the rubber side down, and dodge the other cyclists.  It gave me such a boost!


The mild discomfort soon turned to sharp, stabbing pains. Being tucked into aero for most of the ride, other than some decent inclines, seemed to be the most comfortable, but didn't prevent me from vomiting twice. Ewwwwwwww. Somehow, and I'm quite proud of this, I managed to keep my bike and myself clean. I was feeling worse as time went on... and was starting to get chills. Finally back at transition, quick shoe change, remembered to take off my helmet ;) and I was headed towards Marlene, who was standing waiting for her relay partner, in front of the run out. High-fived her, and told her not to kick my ass too badly on the run... she's speedy!


Run: Oh my, where to start. As I rounded the corner past the parking lot where I parked, I knew I was in trouble. Heavier breathing while running was causing my already-twisted-into-a-knot-stomach to hurt even more. I'd run, then slowed to a walk, wincing in pain. 2 loop, out 'n back hilly route, a challenge, indeed, on the best of days. On a bad day, as I was having, made to seem worse. In my head.. 'Here comes Marlene, gotta run!' So I did! Apparently it "worked" as she mentioned in her race report that I appeared strong! Ha, looks can be deceiving! I totally fake smiled as I passed the race photographers, too.  Both Karly and Marlene passed me between the last hill, and the last few hundred meters, I just kept chugging along, hurting. 

And done... finally.

So yes, while it was good news that I finished, I have even better news! One of two things happened. Either, I finally had no burning or pain in my shins/calves during the run!!! Or I just focused on my stomach much more, and didn't realize it! Regardless, it has restored my confidence, so I'm looking forward to what's next already! :)


Right after I crossed the finish line, I took in some more water, was told I looked yellow, given Gatorade, and got a banana. I'm not sure that I was dehydrated, and wouldn't understand how if I was, since I drink lots of water, everyday. Maybe something to do with the e-load? Who knows. I've never had any issues with it before... 


In any case, it took me until late Sunday night to be back to 'normal', whatever that is... and I'm quite sure that an afternoon race start is not something I'll rush to do again, even though the event was well-organized, scenic, and fun!! 


Finish time: 1:36:33 -- a PR since it's my first sprint with these distances, I'll take it :)