Weight Watchers Ontario Women's Triathlon - Milton, Ontario - August 31, 2003

'Wow, another year has come and I had my second triathlon this year.  My time was 1:09:53, last year was 1:09:05, considering the longer swim, I'm thrilled!

The swim was changed to add 75 more metres, and the bike was reduced by 1 km.  I was really scared and nervous about the swim as I am not a strong swimmer.  I just learned this summer through private swimming lessons to go underwater.  But renting a wetsuit was the best thing for me to do as it provides buoyancy!

This year there were only ~170 participants in the full "Sprint Triathlon", and over 450 for the "Super Sprint Triathlon", so start times were changed, the "ST" went in first at 8:00, and by 9:00 the SST was to start, 3 minutes between waves.  Last year was 5 minutes.

I was in the fourth wave, and the swim was hard, but I trudged along.  Many people passed me from the next wave, and even a couple after that, but I wasn't worried, I knew it was my weak point.

I guestimated that I did this in about 20 or so minutes, because I started around 9:10 or so, and the SSD group started at 9:30.

Finally finished the swim (very last for my age category), and then off to strip off the wetsuit and hit the bike ride.  Since I practiced it Friday night, I was prepared for the hills and found it to be a good ride.  I think I did around 30 minutes for that.

Back into transition, rack the bike and then off to do the walk (run).  I started out slow, legs were tired.  Walked at a good brisk pace for the walk course, and with a bit of a run for the big downhill part of it.

I was thrilled this year to have my husband and kids at the finish line, along with my parents.  I've put up some pictures on the Triathlon 2003 Picture section.