Bala Falls weekend

This weekend was my race in Bala Falls. It was a tough course, extremely hilly both on the bike and the run. We got to the Bala Bay Inn where me and my family stayed for the Saturday night. I biked over the course the night before to check it out and see what surprises they could throw at us. It was crazy hilly that night and I had a feeling that I would suffer, even though hills are my specialty after spending a year in Kelowna riding those hills repeatedly, and leading the peloton on the Sunday rides.

The night before recon was good, I saw where the hills crest and where the bigger hills were, and where to push the hardest and where to relax. I made up a plan in my mind on what I was going to do in terms of hydration and re-fueling on the bike. I headed back to the Hotel and met some of my competition who were staying there also, this was going to be a very tough race I thought. Well the only thing I could do at that moment was to get in some carbs before the race, and hopefully have the best outcome. I had some awesome pasta, which was so good. I even had some ice cream desert for some sugars. We went for a walk around the area and check out the town which wasn't really much, but it was a nice place to visit. That night was brutal, from the noisy air conditioner, the pre-race nerves, and the bachelor party up-stairs didn't really get that much sleep.

That morning we were promised a breakfast at around 6:15, so I was up at 5:30am to kinda get myself ready for the race and make sure I have everything and my bike is ready. Went downstairs and got some breakfast which was the same thing I eat before a Saturday brick session, part Special K lol. The race started at 8:30am with my wave being the first to go, we got there around 6:45am to set some things up and get my spot ready. I got everything ready and met up with my friend Mike Faul who will be doing his first ever race, picking a very hard course to make his debut on. I also met a guy named Robbie Chapman, who we found out was 16, and looked 23, he was rocking cervelo P3C, and was sponsored by a few places very intimidating. Him and I was having a very intense conversation about how the really skinny athletes are able to muster up so much power and be able to pawn everyone, such as Andy Schleck for example.

Well after the conversation it was time to get into the zone for the race and block out the others, I got my wetsuit on, luckily it was a wetsuit swim being under 78 for the water, the age-group and under 76 for elite, the water was a nice 75. I have to practice more without a wetsuit swim, I have a feeling it will come up eventually in my triathlon career. Anyways I went out for a pre-race swim just to get the muscles warmed up, Mike went out and started swimming and my deepest fear was realized, he is a faster swimmer then me.

The race started with a off the beach run into the water, I started beside Mike in hope of drafting him during the race, my coach just told me to draft the fastest person there, and I couldn't find Ryan Power. I was in the mix of guys and got kicked in the face a few times surprisingly by Mike, but then after awhile I settled into a good pace, and was pushing myself harder and harder throughout the swim, keeping it gradually increasing. I got out of the water with a few guys and surprisingly I could see the race-leaders just ahead of me so I was really close. I ran to my bike and saw Mike there so I was really surprised I came out and met him this early in the race. I got my wetsuit down to my ankles and thing wasn't coming off which was not good for my transition time. I got on the bike and took in some fluids, Mike was right behind on the first hill, but I switched into high gear and took off trying to branch up to the race leaders. I was pushing it on the entire bike ride, taking in fluids everytime I crested a hill. I managed to come really close to the race leaders before the second transition, I ended up blowing away both Mike and Dustin my teammate. It was a solid bike, and I my legs seemed pretty fresh throughout the ride. I had a time off the bike that was 8th which was pretty fast for me being on the hills, but like I said hills are my specialty.

During the run I was paying for my intense bike a bit, and the fact that it was also a very hilly and difficult run. I only ended up passing one other person on the run, but it was a solid pass, and I held my position for the entire run, it wasn't a run time that I had wanted but it will improve. I came to the final kilometer and started pushing it until the end, knowing I had someone behind me and did not want to be caught. I crossed the line and just my legs just died, I left everything on the course which was the goal I was going for.

I then waited at the finish line waiting for my teammate Dustin, and my friend Mike, who both finished strong. My overall performance ended with the fasted swim I have ever done in my life with a time of 1:45 per 100m which was amazing for me. My bike time also increased which was good, this shows I am improving, but my run can still be worked on.

My overall time was 1:38:40 which was a good time for me, I came 11th overall and 1st in my age group making this my first win in my age-group.

Overall this was a good race for me, I am racing Bracebridge on August 7th, and I think cause it's a sprint I will use it as a training session, getting me ready for my final race Toronto Island. I am feeling very happy with my results, but I have to get faster in all three disciplines in order to get myself ready for ITU races and nationals and worlds. That is my future goal, and to become pro one day, but after school. I was dreaming about representing Canada in the Olympics, and I will try my best to get into that, but since this country has a lot of requirements that I may never be able to meet, so I might just move to Italy for a bit and race for them since my mom has citizenship. That will be a few years from now though.