HERE'S JACKIE'S RACE REPORT!
It has been a joy getting to know Jackie this season. She is a busy Mum of two young kids and has a busy career. Over the last 9 months, she has realized the importance of getting fit and staying active not only for her physical health and mental health but also she has learned how much happier a Mum and wife she has become. Congratulations on completing two triathlons this season, Jackie. We are all so proud of you!! THE CANADIAN TRIATHLON
I actually had so much fun! This race was amazingly organized and the volunteer local football team made for a seamless kit pickup, body marking and getting my Sportstats chip. This race is awesome and went super well for me. Read on for the details!
Overall: For the training I put into it (which was by no means complete) I am thrilled with how this all went. The swim (750m): I kicked off my swim by putting my wetsuit on inside out and breaking my swim cap. My teammates were so nice in a) telling me I had my suit on inside out, and b) offering up extra swim caps (I had one from the race, but the amount of pitching in I heard was just so heartwarming). As per my coach’s advice, I got in the water and got a few strokes in before the race started. I was nervous, but I told myself that I’ll just take my time and go behind everyone. The countdown ended, and swimmers dashed into the water. I waited for everyone to go in, then I popped in and started swimming. I did the first half mostly front crawl and did a mix of breaststroke and front crawl on the way back. I have to say that swimming a race in open water was much less anxiety-inducing than in a pool because I felt like no one was watching me. Apart from grabbing handfuls of seaweed, I was so thrilled and yelled out a big “Oh my GOD I DID IT!!!” when I was heading to the transition zone. My teammates cheered me on and from that moment on my smile didn’t leave my face. Was it a pretty swim? No. But it was complete and I felt really good. For me, this was pure redemption from my first race this summer. (Also: how cool is it that I did 2 triathlons this season?!?!?!) The bike (20k)The bike was a hoot! I was super happy with my pacing and felt so fresh. I downed my Maurten’s drink mix on this ride and had a gel. Nutrition on the bike they say, and I did it! I enjoyed the heck out of this ride. The weather was perfect and I was singing and just loving the sun. My mantra during this race was “do your own thing” and “effortless” and I just felt light and fun. My coach snapped this pic of me and this is pretty much how I was the whole ride. I even rode in the ‘drops’ to add some speed to this race. I am SO much more confident on my bike. The only thing that I didn’t like on the bike was peeling off seaweed from my legs from the swim! | 
