This past Saturday was my second race of the season. Taking place in Drummondville, Quebec, it was a double whammie; two races: one qualifying and one final with points going towards the “Coupe Quebec” series.
Race 1 – Time Trial Sprint Qualifier
The first of the two races was a time trial starting at 9am. With a randomized start list, each of the 68 racers started their swim in ten-second intervals. This made it less crazy while also reducing the ability to draft off of a huge pack. The distance of this first race was a 750m swim, 20km bike and 5km run.
I came out of the water with the 7th best swim time (not too shabby!) and struggled to get out of my wetsuit! On the bike course, I put down a great effort despite the course feeling like it was a constant uphill (even though it was an out and back on the same road!)
The run felt all out. I had jelly legs after that hard bike! My race time shows that I ran within 15 seconds of my personal best 5km time (which I set at a running race, not a triathlon) and I am super happy with that. That makes this the fastest 5 kilometres I’ve run in a triathlon!
I finished the qualifier in fifth overall and second in my age group.
Race 2 – Group of 8 Super-Sprint Finals
With an amazing placement in the first race, I toed the start line for the finals in the first and fastest heat of eight racers. There was a two minute gap between each heat. This second race was a super sprint, meaning a 375m swim, 10km bike and 2.5km run.
I was fourth out of the water in my heat. The bike ride was painful, and my speed had decreased significantly from the qualification round, despite being half the distance, but I managed to hold off some racers.
My second transition was seamless as I pulled my shoes on and sprinted onto the run course. Off on the run, I was feeling pretty fast but the whole mornings worth of racing was definitely being felt in my legs.
I finished the race fifth overall and third in my age group. I could see second, but I didn’t have anything left to give!
Off to the next…
I am incredibly happy with this race and I think my time reflects the intense training I’ve done in the past year. My next race is Sunday in Sherbrooke. After that, I’ve got a week off before the Montreal triathlon in the Old Port. I expect to see some of you down there!
2019 stats so far:
Swim: 109hrs
Bike: 102hrs
Run: 72hrs
I’m the second one here 
Getting the shoes off for transition 
Off the bike for T2 
Oh so close! 
Still had some gas left to cheer on my dad!
Photos by Emma Halliday!
You can have a root beer after your Sherbrooke race.