Cranberry Trifest
Lakeville, MA - August 2018
Quite an interesting start to this race… when I registered, I listed myself as a member of the Boston Triathlon team. I figured that since I was on their public listserv and had made it to 0 team events so far that I somehow was a member. Luckily, I didn’t have a chance to boast my membership for too long. My transition space was in the middle of the BTT section, and I struck up a conversation with one of the guys racked next to me about the team. When he asked if I intended to apply for membership in the fall, I knew I had made a mistake. I naively thought I could keep quiet about it but, when I won my age group and the associated team points were to go to BTT for the regional team championship, the jig was up.
Swim
The second time wearing a wetsuit proved a bit better than the first go. The course tracked around the outside of a small lake, which didn’t do much to assuage my fear of open water. I essentially grew up in a pool, so swimming through grass/seaweed and potentially having sea monsters chasing me is something I’m still coming to terms with. Thankfully, my age group started a little ways back in the que, so I had plenty of people to steal quick drafts from (and shelter me from sea monsters) as I made my way through the swim.
T1
I exited the water and began the short climb up to the transition area. This was my first time trying to take a wetsuit off solo, and I definitely didn’t put enough body glide on my legs. I eventually got the suit off and put on my bike gear. I gave a wave to my mom and sister on my way onto the bike.
Bike
This is one of my favorite bike courses in New England. The bike course covers quiet, mostly well paved roads and a good mix of flats and rollers, with one punchy climb towards the end. There’s one sharp downhill into a tight corner near the halfway point, so it’s good to be mindful of this given the narrow road cuts through the middle of a lake and provides some stellar views. Per usual, I opened the bike too hard here. I cruised through the first 10 miles and dropped a couple of people on a long, low-grade climb. Unfortunately, I began to tighten up around mile 20 and didn’t quite leave enough for the last climb.
T2
I winced my way into and through T2, primarily motivated by the fact that the race was almost over.
Run
My non-existent run training didn’t disappoint this time around. My first two miles were alright, but 6.2 miles still seemed like a massive distance to cover and I was deep inside my own head. There’s a long, low-grade hill just after the second aid station that really sapped my energy. The last four miles of the race were a long slog just trying to cling to 8-minute miles. In the last mile of the run, the course links up with the end of the bike course. Seeing that punchy hill for the second time in less than an hour shot my spirits. I thankfully made it through this section without walking and soon enough found myself entering the finishing chute.
Post-Race
I linked up with BTT after the race to introduce myself to the team and start meeting members. I cannot say enough great things about this group! Everyone is so welcoming and made me feel right at home. They didn’t hesitate to offer me food and drinks, invite me to their end of season BBQ (which was SO much fun), and encourage me to start checking out their runs and socials. Fast forward three months, and I officially became a proud member of the team!
