Triathlon race (Off-road) 2:50:00 [4] 26.28 km (6:28 / km)
The Muskoka Grind! Off-road triathlon!!! None of these smooth roads, aero-bars, and the like that run of the mill triathletes need ;-). Just rough wavy water, challenging not-really MTB trail single track (I heard it was actually designed by a trail runner not a biker, lol), topped off with a trail run around a lake :-)
It was a lot of fun. Probably one of my better swims, not that this means much :-). Couldn't really get into a flow on the MTB to get the pace up, which was a little disheartening after attacking the Rockstars ride, but loved the trail (probably just shows I need to ride more). The run trail was fairly new, still spongy and the bench cutting still quite raw, which made for a comfortable run... perhaps that was the issue, too comfortable ;-)
A nice hard day, really enjoyed myself and the course, but I certainly wasn't in racing form, wasn't attacking the trails. But there were many there who were, who posted nice solid finish times! Highly recommend this race to anyone who loves trail running and technical single-track MTB riding.
Exceptionally well run event, everyone was super friendly, seemed to run on time, tonnes of volunteers, they were super prepared with extra tents which people hid under when it finally did downpour, and the food was awesome (never seen so much choice and quality in salads, not the run of the mill deli bulk stuff).
Great to see so many AP friends out there (Chief, 1L, Solo, DD), and other race/run friends (such as Kat and Bill), and make some new friends. Great day, a shame everyone had to run off instead of chilling together, but such is the long weekend!
Amusingly, I think I was one of the few who the lightening didn't disturb during the night of camping, but the heat and humidity sure made sleeping impossible :-P
[Note: I'll update this with official times and splits when posted, and perhaps a few photos where I can grab them
Note 2: Salomon Fellcross are super comfortable and secure on hard and soft trail surfaces, really fit my feet well... but are scary, as in I'm going to die, on even slightly wet wood. Off trail shoes for sure!]
---------------------------------------------
Muskoka Grind
Muskoka Ontario
Sunday August 5, 2012
Full Triathlon
Swim 1 Km, Mountain Bike 16.64 Km, Trail Run 8.64 Km
Entrants Finishers
Total 54 40
Male 40 31
Female 14 9
Unknown 0 0
Full Off Road Tri - 26.28 km
28th Bib 260 Craig Kingston
2:50:06 TM30-39 9/11
open water swim - 1km
34 21:21 2:09 3:13
mountain bike - 16.64 km
31 1:30:57 11.0 1:30
trail run - 8.64km
17 53:07 6:09 Kitchener