Mt. Tremblant 70.3 Triathlon Race Report

Kiet and I arrived in Montreal Thursday evening and discovered my bike had not made it on the plane. We were assured it would be delivered to Mont Tremblant the next day and were told it had been re-routed through Houston. Friday evening after multiple calls (all of which Air Canada outsources to India and were frustrating) we were told the bike was in customs at the airport. Rather than sit and wait for it to clear customs, we drove back 1.5 hrs to the airport to retrieve my bike. It wasn't there. We drove 1.5 hours back to Mt. Tremblant at midnight. I almost cried, mostly because I was tired. Saturday I got on Facebook and Twitter asking for help in finding a loaner bike to race on, as Air Canada didn't know where mine was. I must say the triathlon community is amazing and I was completely overwhelmed by how many people reached out to help me find a bike so I could race. THANK YOU.

A big thank you to Eric Laurence for putting me in touch with Bicycles Quilicot, who fit me on a brand new Specialized Transition (it's for sale - $1500CAN with training wheels - if you live in Montreal go get it, it's a great deal!)

Borrowed bike test ride the afternoon before the race.

Needless to say, pre-race was stressful. To add to the craziness of the story, race morning at 5:30am my bike was delivered. I built the bike in record speed, tested it by riding it once up and down the driveway, and we rushed off to transition. My training for this race had been solid and I was excited to race, but once the bike debacle ensued, I figured my race was non-existent to sub-par. I knew I would do the best with what I had, but I am also realistic. Nothing like getting that confidence back on race morning!

Pro women - I'm second from right. (Photo: Triathlete.com / Julien Heon)

I swam solo around the lake - 29:48, the water was nice, not much to talk about here...I came out of the water 8th (but thought I was 9th). I rather enjoyed the swim - until the end when I was just sick of swimming and excited to get on my bike.

Yay I'm on my bike! (Photo: Kiet)

And then I got on the bike - my bike - and I was just really happy to be riding hard on a bike that I have spent so many hours training on. I chased solo until I caught and passed several girls around mile 20. And then I rode the rest of the ride alone. It rained. The rolling hills were fun. The steeper hills at the end were not. My legs hurt, but the good hurt. I rode 2:35. I came off the bike in 5th.

Running along the lake. (Photo: Kiet)

Mt. Tremblant is gorgeous! (Photo: Kiet)

Chasing 4th... (Photo: Kiet)

The run was a mix of chasing 4th and making sure I didn't get caught by 6th. I really wanted 5th or better, and I did my best to fight for it.

Hills! I love hills. But I'm hurting here. (Photo: Kiet)

When I started the bike these two spectators were on the side of the road cheering for me with shorts on. As I got closer they dropped their shorts to reveal green sock / thongs. I laughed so hard. They made me laugh on the run as well. They are the type of spectators you find at Wildflower and I loved it.

I ran a 1:30 to finish 5th in 4:40. On a day that I didn't think would happen because of a lost bike, I was super stoked with this race.

Next up is some fun training in Mt. Tremblant followed by Challenge St. Andrews in two weeks.

THANK YOU:
Zoot - fast TT shoes, flexible wetsuits, awesome training and racing apparel.  

Microscope World - my other great job.

Profile Design - fast TwentyFour wheels, aero bars and hydration. I love the Aero HC system.
Powerbar - gels, hydration and recovery for ultimate performance.
Nytro - my local (but they sell all over the world!) bike shop with all things racing/training.
Extreme Endurance - thanks for helping me recover quick to race again in 2 weeks!
Rudy Project - great helmets and sunglasses, awesome colors!
Bont - best cycling shoes around. 
Kiet - best race sherpa ever - thank you for laughing with me at all the craziness!!