Olymic Distance Triathlon

It can be a bit challenging to find an early season triathlon that gives you everything you want and more! I registered for the Muncie May Triathlon this year after my beloved Pokagon Triathlon was discontinued. This race is put on by American Multisport & is in Muncie, IN. This group puts on several triathlons throughout the year, of varying distances, with races taking place at the Prairie Creek Reservoir. This is the same location as the IM 70.3 Muncie event that is held each year in July. Great way to check out the venue in a low key setting.

The Muncie May event is in mid May, May 12th for 2018 and May 18th for 2019. One of the first open water events in the Midwest. However, the Prairie Creek Reservoir is on the shallow side so the water heats up quickly with a few nice days. The race this year was wetsuit legal with water temp around 63 degrees. That being said, many events at the reservoir are NOT wetsuit legal, so watch for current info on their website & Facebook page.

So what’s the scoop on this race?!?!

The Muncie May TRI is a great event for athletes of varying abilities. They offer an Olympic distance, Oly relay, Sprint, Sprint Relay, Super Sprint, Duathlon, Du Relay, Sprint Du, Sprint Du relay, & Aquabike. That’s a lot of options and I hope I didn’t miss anything!

Race starts at 9am with a race day packet pickup option. Therefore, you can easily drive in the morning of the event if you are within 3 hours of Muncie. Packet pick-up was easy & quick. Body marking on site. Practice swim area open and available to those who want it. And the water is usually pretty calm.

Small intimate venue at Prairie Creek Reservoir. Indoor bathrooms & showers. On site parking. If you’ve only been to the Reservoir for the IM event, then go back for an American Multisport event. Totally different atmosphere. Small parking area. Small transition area. Very low key race at the same great venue.

Races start at 9am. Super sprint first, then sprint, then Olympic. I did the Olympic and the times estimates were a bit off as to when we got in the water. They waited for everyone in the previous category to get out of the water before the next group got started. Safety first! Then we self seeded and got into the water in pairs. Very easy. No drama. No fighting. Nobody swam over the top of me.

Once we hit the water, it was noticeably rough on this particular day. The wind was really blowing and the current in the water was pushing us off course a bit. Tougher swim that usual at this venue. The swim was counter clockwise too, opposite direction of the IM event. 1.5K swim for the Olympic, which is 1600 yds. I swam 1800 though just for fun, or maybe I had trouble staying on course with the wind & waves. Smile

Once out of the water, there was a short run to transition. Small transition but it wasn’t chaotic. Smooth sailing in and out. Then on to the bike course which had some new pavement! Olympic distance was a 2 loop bike course. The wind which gave us some hassle in the swim was in full force on the bike. Yes! Love a challenge, right? A few tiny hills but only 577 ft of ascent on the two loops and a total of 25.3 miles.

Back to transition for T2. Just as easy as T1. Not crowded. Easy in and out. On to the run which was an out and back course for the 10K. Same route as the IM event in July. Small rolling hills. 213 ft of elevation gain for the 10K. Warm. Its always warm. There is a bit of shade on the back side of the out/back but overall, its usually sunny in this area. Make sure to not forget a hat or visor. This venue is good about having ice due to its notoriously warm runs. So ask for ice, even if you don’t see it out. I did and they did have some in coolers. Took me an extra minute at a couple of the aid stations but it was worth it because I heat up fast.

Overall a GREAT race. I’ll definitely be back. Registration is open for 2019 and I’m considering registering early for that event. I’m also looking at my calendar to see if I can fit in another American Multisport event before the year is out. Lots to choose from between now & September. And bottom line, if we like our “non-branded” events, we need to support them by showing up and racing so they stick around for years to come. Too many great races have been discontinued because of lack of participation! So let’s race American Multisport!!

Other than a great race, they also provide great SWAG. See below for the pullover & finishers medal. I’m wearing the pullover right now. Lightweight & perfect!

My next race is the Grand Rapids TRI. Another “non-branded” event. Sprint, Oly, 70.3 & Aquabike in each distance. Still time to register! Race is on June 10th. Hope to see you there!!

** Give it a TRI ** Amanda – TooTallFritz

On Saturday, I participated in the Olympic distance Tri Lakes Triathlon for the very first time. 1500m swim, 25 mi bike, 6.2 mi run. First Olympic distance race for me since 2008! Tri Lakes is a local race, about 35 minutes from my house. About 10 members of my triathlon team were participating, I figured since I wear their kit, but rarely see anyone when I race, I’d join in the fun. Go Team Tritaniaum!!

The race was small, 55 participants, at a very out of the way location on Skinner Lake. Parking was at the Tri Lakes Tavern. The tavern was kind enough to not only let us use their parking lot but they also opened early so we could use their facilities. Love the hospitality of small community races!

Small transition. Close to the water & parking area. Nice setup.

Open water, 1500m swim in Skinner Lake. Water temp was 82 degrees. No wetsuits. Easy, calm, out & back around a line of buoys, 2x. Men started first, women followed 10 minutes later.

I’m a slow swimmer and that was really amplified with such a small field. Almost last out of the water. But it was a smooth, easy swim for me. Not stress or anxiety so that’s a win! 2:14 average per 100yd. Right where I normally am, you’d think I’d eventually get faster, right? Nah! On to the bike. Photo courtesy of TRI Lakes Triathlon.

The bike is where I’ve really been struggling this year. I’ve taken so much down time, that at this point, I’m starting to worry if my fitness is suffering. The bike was 25 miles. Should have been easy, even with the searing temps. No. It was a struggle. I had hoped I could pick off some of the people who had passed me on swim. No. I had hoped that the rest I had taken would bring my legs back. No. Dead legs. The course had some hills, nothing noteworthy unless your legs are shot. I could barely get up the hills. I’m not a great hill rider anyhow but this was just insane. 16.1mph average on the bike. Took me forever and I’m pretty sure I did better on my very first TRI. I have better equipment (by far) now and I know what to expect. I just can’t go any faster right now. Super frustrating.

Run. Heat & Hills. That’s the theme of 2016 and I think it was the theme of most of 2015 too. Everyone was walking. I had grandiose plans of running the entire 6.2 miles. No. I walked up the hills. Aid stations were pretty far apart considering the temps, there were 3 on route, plus a homeowner that was so kind as to give out water & ice!! I think it was over 91 by the time we finished. Most of the run was in the open, full sun. Aid station at the turn around ran out of water but at least they had ice. Athletes were just crabby and miserable & ready to finish. Shout out to the 2 residents who put out their sprinklers for us! Life saver! Run: 12:09 min/mi average.

Finished my first Olympic triathlon since 2008. I was “almost” last and I anticipated it being way more fun than what reality delivered. Summer racing, is always a wildcard. Nice small town race. Community members weren’t real active with the race but the few who were, really went out of their way to help us. Another one in the DONE column.

At this point, I’m not really sure what to do about the fatigue in my legs. I’d like to take a month off and lounge on a beach in Hawaii but that’s not my reality. I’m heading up to ride the Steelhead course tomorrow since that’s my “A” race & approaching fast. My legs still feel like poop from SAT. I’m just not sure how to bring them back. My nutrition is on point. I’m definitely resting more. Trying to get extra sleep. Avoiding alcohol & sugar. Adding in tart cherry juice & turmeric to help with inflammation. Seeing the Chiro to help my damaged back. So I’m focused on ME. Just struggling a bit with the quad fatigue. Hmmmm…. If you have any ideas (other than take a month off and sleep on the beach in Hawaii), let me know.

** Keep TRIing ** Amanda – TooTallFritz