Last month the inaugural Trakai triathlon took place on the 14th July 2013. It was my first Olympic size triathlon for a few years, so I was looking forward to the challenge again.
I had just spent three weeks on honeymoon in Peru. We did the 4 day Inca trail to Macchu Picchu which was amazing and provided some pretty good aerobic exercise for the lungs hiking at high altitude. Our last week was in Mancora (Northern Peru) by the beach doing yoga and surfing, so again a little more exercise preparation for the triathlon ;)
Now to the event itself and the big day. As a first time event, it was very relaxed and only a small number of 50 individual participants and about 100 in total to make up the mixed relay teams.
I knew two other guys doing the race, so that helped talking to them about the actual course route including the swim section. It was a diving start from the boat jetty into the lake with a surprisingly high number of non wetsuit swimmers. I guess a reflection of the warm lake conditions. Regardless of the temperature, I always like to wear a wetsuit. I find it so much easier with the buoyancy and it just seems to put the body in the right position to glide through the water.
It was a quick dash to the first buoy and then a 90 degree left turn swimming parallel to the lake side before turning 90 degrees left again and then again for the length back to just past the Jetty start and on to the beach.
The transition area was right next to the Jetty and there was also a spectator stand beside, so very conveniently located for all the action taking place. The 40km cycle leg covered a few nice rolling hills and was two laps encompassing the lovely surrounding scenery of Trakai. Back to the transition again before taking on the final 10km run and this is where I felt a little under cooked. Although, I was happy enough and completed it in under 3 hours, but I don’t recommend ever booking in a triathlon the day after returning from an extended holiday.
Overall the Trakai triathlon was well worth the effort – the castle backdrop is stunning and it really is a lovely location. I’ll be back again next year. Why not come and join us. More information: http://trakutriatlonas.lt/en/