Frank Dunn 2009 Race Report

Another weekend another race!! Whoo Hoo!! Opted for the team version as I was coming off my half ironman last weekend.

What a fun, fun day this ALWAYS is. This race has been happening for almost 30 years up at Waskesiu Lake, one of our fine and fabulous national parks. It was a perfect day. And here's how she went down...

Rode up with our super cyclist, Carmen. We hit Waskesiu in good time and walked around a bit and chatted a bit with other triathletes we ran into. Met our speedy runner Shannon at her hotel and head over to the pasta dinner. Was a fun night!! Lots of laughs and giggles and trash talk. Carmen and I took off for our cabin at Emma Lake (I thought it was only about 35-40 minutes away...because I am always speeding like crazy...but Carmen is a much safer driver than me and it took us almost an hour...) Shaun and the boys were there watching a movie and I think poor Carmen was a bit shell shocked entering my world for an evening!! Tired and crabby and whiney kids who had had a busy day with Dad and needed to go to bed. We hung out, walked down to a friend's cabin for a visit, watched Ninja Turtles, went to bed.

We were up on Sunday in good time and made the drive to Waskesiu. I helped Carmen get her bike in order. I always find it interesting and learn something new watching someone else get ready for a race. Carmen just started triathlons this year and is also learning a ton but we had some good laughs and it was great to get to know her a bit better.

Made our way to the transition area and suddenly I had to find a bathroom...STAT! Wandered into the hall where they were body marking and the excitement and the aura and the energy is just so much fun on race morning!! This is such a great event because you see pretty much everyone from the local tri-community there...other races maybe not as people have their own race schedule, but Frank Dunn is a must do if you are from Saskatchewan!! No matter where you have been all summer, you get yourself to Frank Dunn in August.

Got into the water for a warm up...yeah...I warmed up this time! Something about being on a team...you don't want to be the weakest link and if a 1500 meter swim is all I have to do for the day...let's work it hard!! Was a really good swim. I was feeling strong and was bilaterally breathing and kicking like a mad woman. My kick is my secret weapon and I don't tend to 3-beat kick when I am doing the full race as I want to save my legs...And I sighted really good this time and stayed on track...makes a difference when you swim straight...

Handed the timing chip off to Carmen and away she went!! Dang that girl can pedal! She did amazing as did Shannon. We ended up in first place for the Women's Team event!!

Yey for Team Wonderwomen Rule!! A fun note for the race...the average age of the athletes was 42...isn't that great??!!

Shaun showed up with the boat as we wanted to take the munchkins fishing for the afternoon. We could not find a place to park that big-ass truck with the boat so headed down to the marina. Saw Jenn and Chuck lighting the run course on fire!! I bet it was warm out there...

The fishing sucked and Luke fell out of the boat (he is okay but has learned the lesson of "don't stand up in the boat when it is moving!!") and I fell asleep on the boat and ended up with at sunburn. But all in all a great, great day and one to be remembered for a long time!!!