2013 USAT Age Group Nationals-Milwaukee, WI

I was notified earlier this year that my race results from The Nation's Tri last September qualified me for The 2013 USAT Age Group Nationals.  I had heard of the race and knew that it was held in Vermont last year.  I was surprised and honored all at the same time, but to be honest, I was disappointed they had moved the race to Milwaukee.  I decided to register anyway and then found out my good friend Nikki (who had a great race) had also qualified and would be making the trip.  Yeah!!!  Caravan on Rt. 80!!!  And so I headed out on Wednesday August 7th and met up with Nikki and Dar traveling west on Interstate 80.  I had been on that road many times going to and from college (Slippery Rock University) and always loved the beautiful views along the drive.   Once we got into Ohio the road really opened up with the 70mph speed limit and long flat stretches!  It took all 6 cylinders to keep up with their Subaru!

On the road

On Thursday we stopped at the Notre Dame Campus and enjoyed the sites and some shopping before heading out.  A quick stop in Chicago to pick up Melissa at the airport and on to Milwaukee.....and what a pleasant surprise Milwaukee was!!!  It is a city filled with great architecture, a scenic River Walk, a beautiful art museum and views of Lake Michigan.  The city proved to be a great host to this year's USAT Age Group Nationals.

Downtown Milwaukee

The River Walk in Milwaukee

The Art Museum of Milwaukee

We picked up our packets at the expo and took advantage of the practice swim held at Discovery World.  They did a great job with support and safety vessels for the practice.  We also had the opportunity to meet up with the Great World Champion Chrissie Wellington.  I don't know how she manages to always have a smile on her face but she does!!   Thanks Chrissie!!

With Chrissie!!

Race morning was much more calm than any other I have experienced.  The hotel lobby and breakfast area wasn't even busy.  I think it had something to do with how spread out all of the swim waves were.  The race started at 7:30 and the last wave didn't set off until 10:12.  The water was calm and the temperature was just right and also wetsuit legal.  I felt great on the swim.  I waited 10 seconds after the start and then stayed to the left.  I didn't get into any crowded areas until the last turn when the wave after ours caught up.   I found myself drafting on the home stretch.  The climb out of the water was on a pretty steep ramp, but they had several staff members there giving us a hand.

The swim was held in a great little cove-this was the practice swim set up.

Race morning waiting on the dock of Discovery World for the in water start.

On to T1 and off with the wetsuit.  The bike started out along the flat Lincoln Memorial Drive and did a 180 turnaround following the same road back.  Then it was onto I-794 and a climb over the bridge and onto South Lake Drive.  Next we rode through the cities of Saint Francis and Cudahy, another 180 turn and back to transition.  There were some beautiful views of Lake Michigan along the way.

Leaving T1 for the bike segment

T2 went smoothly and I set off on my run which went along the lake and through Veteran's Park on Lincoln Memorial Drive.  My plan was to start out slowly, build my pace and try to really push the last two miles.  Unfortunately, I started out a too fast to follow that plan.  All in all I felt good, I just didn't run the pace I had hoped.  The finish line was set up beautifully with flowers, flags and a red carpet.  Nice job USAT!  You can see from the photos that I proudly displayed my finisher's medal!!!

The Finish Line before race day

On the run

Before getting to the race, I had hoped to finish in the top 25 to have a chance at representing the USA in World's next year in Edmonton, Canada.  I realize now that was a very lofty goal considering the competition was the cream of the crop from around the country.  I finished 67th in my AG but am still proud to have qualified and completed the race.  I also got to meet up with two fellow PowerBar Team Elite Members that were racing and to cheer them as they flew by me on the run!!!  I will hope to break into the top 50 if I qualify for next year.

The rest of our trip was pure vacation enjoying the sights of Milwaukee, Chicago, Notre Dame and Slippery Rock.  A few deep dish pizzas, several choruses of Willie Nelson's "On the Road Again", lots of corn fields and three Bob's Subs later we were back home and trying to catch up on laundry and emails!!!  What a great trip!!!

Post race in front of the Milwaukee Art Museum

Our second deep dish pizza of the trip!  Gino's East

The beautiful pool at our hotel in Chicago-The InterContinental

Rainbow over Chicago

Lake Michigan beach in Chicago

Millennium Park Chicago

Trump Tower Chicago

Chicago Tribune Building-our hotel has the goldish dome to the left of the Tribune Building

The Dome at Notre Dame-the Main Building

"Touchdown Jesus" on Hesburgh Library

The famous locker room sign that all players touch before going on the field

On the field at Notre Dame Stadium

You just HAVE to get a Bob's Sub when you visit Slippery Rock!

The Race Details

1,500 meter Swim  38:17
T1  3:18
40k Bike  1:28:35
T2 1:50
10k run     1:04:59

Total  3:17:01

Pre race-PowerBar Fruit Blend
Bike-PowerBar Perform, 1 PowerBar Gel, S Caps
Run-Gatorade on course, S caps, 1 PowerBar Gel
Post race- PowerBar Recovery