A tale of three races, or maybe it was four....
I did Milwaukee first because my husband likes Milwaukee, and honestly, I do too. Great water to swim in, lovely bike course and pleasant run. Came in 9th so I qualify for next years ITU and was on podium (really? down to 10th spot? that was wierd!)
Went on to Edmonton. nice venue, confused volunteers and coach for Team USA took us on a cyclocross experience instead of showing us the course for the race (?) one of our team fell and broke her wrist during that adventure. What was he thinking? Lots of misinformation, and very cold (43 degrees at the start). double loop swim was ok, bike was fun. run was nice. folks in Edmonton were really nice. No fresh fruit easily available. (no groceries downtown) access to course was difficult. Downtown Edmonton, however is superb for runners! big local park. most wonderful experience! Watching Gwen Jorgensen smoke the field from a spot 18 people back off the bike. OMG! she held back and caught everyone on the run. The other USA team member wore the New Zealanders out through most of the run and Gwen just jogged it in... Loved it. Second most wonderful experience, watching Alistair Brownlee swim it in without a cap or goggles! (the water was really awesome, chlorinated (yes, that's right) and fairly normal pH so on pain on the eyes) Alistair and Javier Gomez fought it out the last 100 meters! Incredible!
Next, Worlds 70.3 in Mont Tremblant. Loved it all around! I did the full IM in 2012 and knew the course fairly well. Ioved the climbs, the swim, the run, sortof. It used to be an out and back on flat old railway path. this was a bit hilly with cobblestones. It was really a well done course and event with awesome support and a wonderful venue. I was confused regarding the swim start as I had two times listed (9:08 and 9:00) ooops! but still came out 3rd in my AG inspite of starting after everyone. I think it helped me put some after burners on!. Came in 6th but time was still good at 6 hours and change. I missed fifth by, you guessed it, one minute. Next time I'll check more carefuly about the swim start! oh well, it was super fun and by far the best 70.3 worlds I've ever been to.
IMMD. You might wonder how and then again you might wonder why, but basically I felt like I could do this. Not much between the last race and this one but all I did was work and pay some bills in between. IM Maryland is Eagle man twice. this was a really well organized event. Information was clear, set up was great, transitions were nice and all in all, excellent set up on this venue. enormous support by community and for an inaugural event, incredibly well done! issues: totally flat. when you ride by signs that say smile if your crotch hurts, you know that they understand! OUch! wind was strong but not killer. Swim was murky and tricky current, run was flat as a pancake other than a small amount on cobble stones. I wore Altra Torin's due to partial off road course. Perfect! I have to remember to put more Skin Sake in the creases on flat courses like that! I lost my nutrition (Stinger waffles) on the first bike station but was pleasantly introduced to the bonk breakers which they had on the course and will likely use those in the future. This is a very flat and fast course and I am sure I could have come in under 12 hours if I didn't hurt so much from skin injury on the bike course. That kind of stuff really makes a difference! (Peed twice on the bike which also affects the skin. I had glide, chamois butter and desitin on but it wasn't enough) I highly recommend this course for getting a supper PR but it is important to practice long distance in aero to be able to pull it off.
so all in all, a good time was had by all and it has been fun. I hope to see you all at Lake Placid next year and I think Paul Hough, you should join us. I'll buy you bug spray and groceries if that will help to entice you 
Cheers!
Comments
You are one big Energizer Bunny. Only the top races for you, it seems. Like a Timex, you take a licking and keep ticking. See you in Lake Placid, if not sooner.