Title Test

Well it's come down to the last 7 days. Really, 6 days as it is already 8:30 pm.

Tomorrow is my test. The Lake in the Hills Triathlon. I said out loud today that of all the races I could do this should be the absolute easiest. The lake is only 3 miles from my house and the finish line is less than 2 miles away. This gives me an advantage in a few ways.

A little more sleep, though I still will have to get up no later than 4:45 am since the race starts at 6:30 am. I also know the course like the back of my hand. Especially the bike portion. I've been riding the same roads for a few years now. I know every hill, downhill, turn, potholes, when to take advantage of the slight downhill that may not be noticed by others until it's over. How the wind usually is on the course, where it blows the hardest and where I can gain some time by hovering on the areo bars when the wind can't get to you. The course is NOT easy. It has hills. Quite a few. And a slight uphill that lasts for about a mile. But I know what to expect.

The weather is not supposed to be sunny and actually that is a good thing. Last year the sun was bright and you swam right towards it for the first 200m's or so. It was blinding. You couldn't see the buoys. You couldn't see anything really until you got to turn. This year that shouldn't be an issue. I know the turns, I know when to stand at the end, I know how far the run will be to get to the bike. I know to go quicker this year getting the wetsuit off.

The run is a surprise for most people who do this race. They expect to run to be flat. It isn't. There are two gradual inclines that seem to last forever. Especially after swimming and biking. I know when they are. I know how long they will last. I know that when I turn right on the bike path to start running faster. Only 1/2 mile to the finish then. Typical sprint tri's have a 5k run. This is a 4 mile run. That last mile can be very hard on the newer triathletes just starting out. This is where I can make up some time. Last year I was the first female LITH resident to cross the line. I would like to keep that title, thank you.