Muskoka 70.3 Race Report

Sep 15, 2008

My main objective for this race was to finish standing up. This would be my
first half iron distance race and I really did not have any specific targets
to beat. I knew I would not be able to go under 6 hours but I hoped to be
under 7. This is how it turned out.


I was in the last of 8 waves. About 200 of us in the 'red' wave entered the
water at 8:39. The water in Peninsula Lake was a little cooler than expected
but not a problem once we started swimming. I started near the back of the
pack on the inside and let the majority head away before starting to swim.
My biggest problem in open water is staying on course. Twice I had to be
stopped by the 'border patrol' because I was straying out of the line. At
the last buoy before the first turn I was about 20 feet to the right and had
to swim sharply to the left to go around the proper side of it. I'm used to
having people pass me during swims. That's why this time I was quite
gratified to find that I had actually caught and passed a number of slower
swimmers with red caps (same as mine). In fact, after the final turn I
realized there were swimmers around me with white caps from the wave before
mine. The final leg into shore seemed extra long. The water was quite
shallow, I could see the bottom and there were a lot of weeds, reminiscent
of Kelso. I also found it a little difficult to see the swim exit from the
last orange buoy. The exit itself was not a beach but a set of wooden steps.
I developed a whopping leg cramp in my left calf as I was trying to get my
legs under me to get on the steps. Fortunately there were several strong
assistants helping people exit the water - I think I was pretty much lifted
out!

Swim time - 53:30 (1.9km)

The stripping station was fun! I've never been parted from my wetsuit so
quickly. One girl on each arm - down - now lie down on your back - OK now
bum up - whoosh - done - here I'll help you up - now that way...!
I think I lost my goggles in all that as I could not find them later. The
hike up to T1 was about 300 meters but was lined with spectators and well
wishers so that was fun too. At this point it was raining again so
everything was already wet. Fortunately it never felt cold.

T1 time - 6:15

I felt great heading out on the bike. I had done the course a couple of
times by now and knew what to expect. I knew there were a lot of hills and
tried to keep my pace reasonable, knowing the length of the ride and that
there was a long run to follow. At the aid station in Dorset I was abruptly
called over by an official-looking woman. She explained to me that I had
committed an infraction and I was being a handed a 4 minute penalty to be
served in the penalty box before heading out on the run. Apparently, while
heading into the aid station I had swung to the left to go past slower
moving riders that were taking bottles and had crossed over the yellow line
in the road. I tried to explain that to the officer but to no avail as she
marked my race number with an 'X'. I have to say this annoyed me somewhat,
but as I got closer to the end of the bike course I decided that a few
minutes rest in a dry tent might not be such a bad thing. The rain came and
went - at one point the sky actually brightened a little but only for a
moment. At other times the rain came down so hard it was impossible to look
forward, water was sheeting off the road in waves. Through all this there
were dozens of groups of local citizens along the road, cheering and
shouting, ringing bells and waving, most of them as wet and sodden as we
were. Good times guys, good times!

Bike time - 3:31:40 (94km)

Heading into T2 I knew I had that penalty to serve but did not know where to
go. I racked my bike, ditched my helmet and bike shoes, grabbed my runners
and started looking for the penalty box. I stuck my head into a white tent
and surprised a guy changing his clothes. Good thing I didn't check out the
other white tent! The penalty box turned out to be at the run out spot. As
I checked in, gave my number, the lady that had stopped me before was there.
She apologized, saying she had made the mistake. I had acted correctly at
the aid station and I should not have been penalized. I was free to go! So
much for my 4 minute rest break. I sat down in the rain, pulled my runners
over soaking wet socks, got up and went out for my run.

T2 Time - 2:57


The run course took us out past Deerhurst, along the end of the bike course
and then down the road toward Huntsville. There were two out-and-back
sections and other areas where you have runners going both ways so there
were lots of places to see one's team mates and offer encouragement. It
continued to rain which, from a spectator's point of view, must have been
miserable. From the runners point of view however, running in the rain is
quite nice. No issues of overheating that's for sure. My first few km's
were pretty strong, near a 5 minute pace but, at one point I stopped to pee
and realized my breathing and heart rate were really quite high. I knew
that would not be sustainable so I tried to regulate down to a 5:30 to 6:00
minute pace. I walked the water stations and one or two really steep hills.
When I passed the entrance to Deerhurst for the last time, the sign on the
golf course portion of the run said 16k. My watch said 6:15. At that point I
made up my mind to break 6:45. I had to do the last 5 plus km in less than
30 minutes. That meant no more walking although at this point there were
more people walking than running. I thought the last portion of the course
was laid out in a rather cruel manner as the track brings you right past the
finishing chute with all the spectators and excitement but then sends you
way out again with 3km to go! Even that last 3k seems to always be taking
you the wrong way. Finally, with the 20k marker behind, we are heading for
the end. One more steep climb, back onto the road and then downhill to the
chute. A sharp right, a sharp left and a brave finishing sprint. I even
managed to raise my arms and smile as I went through the banner! It felt
great!

Run time - 2:10:38 (21.1km)
Overall time - 6:44:59 Yes!

Klaus Fritzsche