Race Coverage

"...The Hardest Course I Raced This Season."

Monday, 09 September 2019 23:10

SQUARE LAKE SPRINT RACE REPORT - Sunday Sept. 8th 2019 was what was most likely my final Triathlon of 2019 unless I sneak a travel trip in some place? I decided 3 days before the race to enter Square Lake Sprint Triathlon as a way to end what has been a great 2019 season for myself and for my daughter Bella who has 4 junior female course records this season and a bunch of podium finishes including some overall wins! Bella did not race since she is now into high school cross country season.

Race morning the calm before the storm! I woke up and looked at the weather said well it’s not raining, awesome! But then looked at the temperature and said burr! I’ve raced Duathlon in cold weather, but I’ve never raced Triathlon in cold weather like this, where the water is much warmer than air temp! I will admit I was not sure about this race and kept asking myself why did I sign up for this 3 days ago? But the venue at Square lake park is beautiful! The lake is one of the nicest lakes we swim in around here!

For Square lake Triathlon the athletes self-seed themselves based on how fast they swim, so I was going for the win and put myself up front maybe 4th guy into the water? My friend Jon who is an excellent swimmer went when I did as well and my goal was pace and sight off him, well that worked for a bit but coming back to the beach the buoys were off, there was no on-shore structure we could see and sight our way back in so I was all over the place and ended up coming to shore down beach from the entrance to transition and had some extra running to do....

This allowed the athlete (Michael a young 34 year old) to exit and enter transition about same time as me. Michael turned out to be the overall winner because of chip time.

In transition I stripped out of my wet-suit and my feet started to freeze up! But I mounted my bike and off I went climbing this monster hill out of transition. The hills on the bike course of Square lake Triathlon are relentless! This is a very challenging course and I would say not an extremely fast one. The pavement was also wet from rains the night before and a few puddles and I ride timid in that type of stuff, not the dare devil like others.  READ MORE