My last race for the year is the Patriots International. I’m headed back to Williamsburg, VA, this time for another VTSMTS race. Last year, I ended my season on a huge high with a 70.3. In 2015, my season ended with only my third ever international distance race and a race where I wanted redemption. 2014’s season ended with my first international distance race, and 2013 ended with my first big triathlon, the IronGirl sprint. So it’s a bit weird to not be ending the season with a “big” race.
That said, this isn’t a nothing race. I’ve had an awesome season so far and I definitely want it to end strong. The concern for me for this race is the swim. It will probably be the most challenging swim I’ve had all season (though I don’t have to jump off a boat to start). There is a current, and the race organizers suggest practicing swimming across currents. Guess what I haven’t done? So this should be fun. Might be wetsuit legal too, so we’ll see how this all turns out.
The bike is rolling, but nothing too crazy. I prefer hills to flat, so I’m looking forward to this. The run is apparently super flat, but on varied surfaces (pavement, gravel, and mulch). All in all, it should be a pretty good course, and I’m hoping for a great race. The race is an international and half distance run at once, which I always enjoy, because there are so many more athletes on the course. It just makes a race feel big, and I love that big race feeling.
Another great thing is that it’s a SATURDAY race! So I don’t have to rush back from the race right afterwards. It can be a much more leisurely day, which I definitely prefer. Also, it’s in Williamsburg, so I can eat at The Cheese Shop. Yum. Might have to get a sandwich to eat there and a sandwich to go.