TTF = Too Totally Freezing Sprint Race

Why I do these races, I do not know.  It all started long ago when I first started to do running races.  And Triathlons were always a mental as well as physical challenge.  Only because I was never a very good swimmer.

I am much better thanks to Tresa and getting me to the cottage and making me take lessons and more lessons. And she has inspired me to sign up for these races. But today, I was totally unprepared for how cold the water was going to be.  It's been a heatwave for a while now.  I was not expecting the water to be like ice water.  I wasn't the only one that suffered the brain freeze for the first 20+ mins. The sooner I got out the better.  Next time I'll need to grow some white fur and big paws.

The water looked okay for a nice swim.  Weather was excellent.  No rain, no thunderstorms clouds, it was looking pretty good.  There wasn't an opportunity to swim prior to the wave start.  Basically you dive in and I had to laugh because people were howling from the cold.  One guy in the wave before mine right when the horn sounded, bailed out of the swim.  Something was wrong.  Panic attack.  We don't know.

Dexter was with me on the dock when we started and I was with all the weak swimmers, huddling for moral support.  There were two other guys, but I do not remember their names.  We finished around the same time.

We suffered for 20+mins together.  I spent most of it on my back because I couldn't get warmed up to get into my front crawl.  It was so difficult.  Only because of the cold and it was making me dizzy.  I was a bit disappointed, but it's okay.  Others suffered with me. HA!


It seemed like a long time before I got to these steps.  I was grateful. I was also very disoriented, but made my way to my bike.  The walk to my spot was wobbly.  Thought I was going to hurl at a few spots.  But thankfully, I think because I was in very good shape, it helped me get past it.  From what I read on the forums, the fierce storm on Friday likely caused churning of the water to drop the temps far below the posted temps of 18 deg C.  It was much colder than that. I've swam in my second race at that temp and there was no way it was 18 deg C.  This was much colder.

Some others like this girl and this guy that I think came out of the water before or after me headed straight for medical attention.
There was also 1 guy in the wave just before mine, right at the horn, swam straight back to the dock and could barely make it back on.

Put another notch in the experience belt.  I survived another swim.  I swear I have to have a good swim leg at least once!  I work so hard.  Ask Tresa.
Next time wear ear plugs.  The only other time I've been in water this cold was at my cousin's cottage in Kenora.  My god.  It's like I fell through the ice.  Can't imagine what real hypothermia is really like.  And I had a wetsuit! Need one that covers my head.




It's like Where's Waldo? Somewhere in the middle there. I am in T1 and changing. Believe it or not.
This was a big venue.  Lots of athletes.  It made the swim hard for another reason. Swimming into other swimmers.  But they were all really nice.  They apologized.  It was nice.

Finally heading out on the bike.  Still woozy I made my way up the hill to the dismount area.  Shoes in hand.

Once on the bike I got to ride on the Gardiner Exp.  That was a treat.  Then the wind kicked in.  Not nice.  But I made up ground.  And I had a humongous tailwind heading back.  Which made it fun!
I ended up clocking 33kph on the bike.  So happy about that.

T2 meant making my way back down the hill from the bridge from the CNE.  It was a non-adventure, good thing. One girl who was rushing down past me nearly smashed her bike into the barrier.  Just to save a few seconds.

Then I got to try out my 1400 NB shoes that are so light. They are minimus type shoes but are so awesome for a 5k race.  Just enough padding for my liking and so light.  It helped me run a 4:44 min/km pace for the 5K run leg.

Finishing strong because I was expecting a burger!

Plus I was tired.

I had a frozen head, I still had water in my left ear.  I finally got it out when I got home.

And plus Tresa was waiting for me.  So grateful she was there.  I heard her calling me when I was coming into the swim.  I had an inkling to bail.  But my stubbornness would not let me.  And when I heard her at every transition where she could get to, it gave me the energy I needed to continue.  Felt like I had more bounce in my step.

When I crossed the finish, there were no burgers. :(
Just bananas, half a bagel, peanut butter and jam.

Plus my medal.  But I did score a Zoot tri short at 40% off.  Checked on Amazon, I figured it would be about the same, but it turned out to be more expensive!  So WOOT for ZOOT.  I was allowed to try it on.  After swimming in Lake ON, I figured I should buy it if it fits.  Just because I thought it was gross. Plus I got a bit of peanut butter on it.  Oh well...hey I'm considerate, eh.

And before my race.  Thank God.  Because who wants to hug a guy who just swam in Lake ON, then sweated for the other legs of the race? Not me!
I got to say hi and a quick snap with Simon Whitfield.
2000 Sydney Olympics Gold Medalist (Triathlon)
2008 Beijing Olympics Gold Medalist (Triathlon)
What a nice guy!  I follow him on Strava.

Pics from the race. 

The more news I read about this race, the more content I am with my swim time.  I've clocked myself in both the 50m pool and cottage and i'm right about 2:30min/100m for the swim.  But nothing I can do about Mother Nature. That's how the rice was cooked. There was a guy that suffered a heart attack.  Apparently a combination of historic health issues and the cold water temperatures.  In the Slowtwitch forum the son had provided details and said good thing the kayaker was quick.  His dad is stable. Thank God.  

It's ironic.  Whatever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger.