This past weekend I attended my 27th high school class reunion, which took place in Boston, MA. While I was in the area, I noticed that there was a sprint triathlon not to far away, so I registered for it, rented a bike, and was set to compete the day after the reunion festivities ended.
The course was designed by Jarrod Shoemaker, who is ranked 9th in the world on the ITU circuit. The distance was a 1/3 of a mile swim, a 15 mile bike consisting of 3 loops around the lake, and a two loop run of 1.65 miles each for a 3.3 mile total.
The race was tough. Lots of hill that were harder than they looked without momentum going into them. It rained just before the swim start, so the slick roads made it hard to get speed on the downhills. Because, it was a three lap bike course, the pros were on their third lap when I entered on my first lap. I could only imagine how frustrating it must have been for them to have to deal with us “amateurs”. There were lots of first timers riding mountain bikes in the middle of the road where you can’t cross the yellow line. So the first lap was really congested. There was a hairpin turn at the bottom of mile two on the bike, and on lap two I took it too fast; my back wheel fishtailed and I almost bit it, but managed to hang on somehow.
The run was uphill for the first mile, flat, and then downhill for almost a half mile. By that time the sun came out and it was getting steamy. So, lots of challenges that we aren’t used to in the Vegas and California races that we are accustomed to.
The race was very well organized and it was fun to attend something completely different that what I’m used to. Also, I have to give a plug for Landry’s bicycle shop in Natick, MA, where I rented a Trek Madone. They honored my LV Triathlon Club membership and gave me $20 off a new Specialized bike seat. That was pretty cool.
From the album: Wall Photos
By Maryse Roudier
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