Chisago Lakes Triathlon Official Website

The "Nitty Gritty" Details (User Opinions)

Dan A.
Wautoma, WI

  (07-28-2009)

"First time doing this race and it was a very good race. Nice course, except for one little stretch of pretty rough roads. I felt very good during the swim, and felt like I had a rhythm going. I felt really good on the bike, but when i went to results, it said the course was a 17 mile bike?? So on results I averaged 15.7, but it should be around 19-20... otherwie a pretty flat and fast course. The run went very well. I felt good and refreshed. This is possibly due to a change to my bike positioning a week before the race, trying to trigger different muscles. Pretty flat run, except for the little hill at the start and end. Came away with a 3rd in A.G. and some pretty sweet awards too! All in all, great race Midwest Sports!"

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Megan K.
Houghton, MI

  (07-27-2009)

"This was only my second triathlon, and it was a fast one! The swim was nice- water temps were great, and the waves went through at 2min intervals. I found it interesting that the organizers didn't have enough swim caps for the athletes, but I think the race numbers doubled since the previous year, so I suppose that is why. The pros were asked to drop their caps off at the beach when they exited the water into T1 for others in the sprint race to use.

The transition area was a little crowded, and some athletes didn't follow the saddle-on-the-stand rule and ended up hanging their bikes by their brake levers. This made for a sticky situation for some. I had smooth transitions, though, and the bike was good. The bike course was a bit crowded with all the sprint and half-iron competitors at the beginning. After the sprint turn-off, the long stretch of highway was deceiving. I thought it was flat, but I am pretty sure there was a strong headwind/slight uphill/sticky asphalt to contend with for 20miles. On the way back, though, the road was fast. Wind to the back, gradually descent where I could hammer away. Even with the sprinters gone, though, the course got crowded and somewhat bottlenecky toward the end. There was a time that I was momentarily drafting behind a car (not by choice, they were actually driving slower than my desired pace!), because the driver decided they wanted to travel the same road as the course. At some parts, the road was a little rough/choppy. There was also an issue with drafting, and people not obeying the takeover rules. That, or- some master blasters don't like getting passed by girls on the up-hills? (FYI: It's rude to pass someone and then slow down, which is what this dude was doing). Regardless, I was still able to hold down a really fast time for 55.4miles.

The run course was a little deceiving as well, but still fast. The out and back made me grateful to turn around, because I thought I had climbed on the whole way out, but then on the way back, found out that I was wrong. The aid stations didn't have Coke (I was bummed!). There were a few close together at the beginning but about two miles without any aid, and I was glad I had carried my flask to refill. I enjoyed the one-mile-of-shade at the turnaround! The rolling hills made for some nice scenery though.

It was definitely the race to get a PR, and not get too beat up from a half iron distance race. I enjoyed the drive down to Chisago and the area. The volunteers were great, the food was outstanding, and the awards were beautiful (Swedish glass). "

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009

Sheila P.
Sartell, MN

  (07-26-2009)

"Good swim, started on time. Bike was a new course this year I heard. Nice course, all highway, new roads. Run was semi-brutal, VERY hot day, little to no shade. 10 water stations helped since it was an out and back run! Overall well organized though. Midwest Sports Events always does a nice job."

Reviewed by a: First Time Participant for 2009