7/21/2019

Fairport Harbor Triathlon and Paddle Triathlon

Fairport Harbor, Ohio

Scott Orlando

Paddle Triathlon

Finish time 1:24:08

Overall Place:  4th Place

Division Place:  2nd Place

Race Recap By Scott Orlando:

The formerly named Fairport Harbor Lighthouse Triathlon was re branded this year as the Pirate Triathlon.   This is always a fun race for me because of the option of competing as a traditional swimming  triathlon or as a paddle triathlon in a kayak, canoe, or even with a paddle board.  The added race options increases the participation which creates more energy and excitement on the course.  This year the race was hot and humid with thunderstorms lurking early during pre race.  Luckily the storms moved on but were quickly replaced with hot sunshine, escalating temperatures, and high humidity.  The longer the race went on the worse the conditions got.  I chose to use my Stellar S16 sea kayak for the paddle leg which was the right decision.  From shore Lake Erie looked calm but that was far from the case.  About half way to the turn around buoy conditions got tough with heavy side swell and waves.  I got tossed around a lot but managed to make it through the tough spots.  Conditions improved after the turn around as you got closer to the finish.  I was able to make up ground on the top boats improving on my slow start.  One of the top participants didn’t fair as well in the tough conditions electing to use a faster but less stable kayak and ended up in the water.  He did recovery and went on to finish 7th overall.  I was the 4th or 5th boat out of the water headed to the bike transition.  The transition area was muddy with standing water from the storms.  I must say it really started to smell ripe once the sun started beating down.  The race officials did adjust the transition area and finish area to deal with the mud the best they could.  My bike leg was better then expected.  I was able to catch and pass a few people on the fast and flat course.  Another muddy and smelly transition and it was back out for the run.  The run was toughest part of the race.  The sun was out, temperatures where getting higher by the minute, and there was no shade anywhere on the course.  It took me about 3/4 of a mile to settle into my running legs before I was able to get into a good rhythm.  The heat slowed everyone down.  I managed one of the faster run splits and was able to pass several runners including one final runner about 2.5 miles into the race that I thought might be in the paddle triathlon.  I thought I was somewhere between 3rd and 5th overall at this point and the thought of finishing 3rd overall inspired me to push hard to pass the final runner.  I quickly learned that my efforts earned me 4th place overall which is my highest overall finish place at this race.  My finish time also may have been a PR at this race for me.  I thought that would secure 1st place in my division but surprisingly to everyone only 1st place overall was awarded in the paddle triathlon no 2nd place or 3rd place overall awards.  This pushed me back to 2nd in my age division behind the 2nd place overall winner who took 1st place in my age division.  Lake County Metro Parks did another outstanding job with the race.  The new pirate them was a big hit.  They even had a pirate ship float that made for some great post race pictures.  Race swag included pirate themed tech shirts and beer barrel inspired pirate drinking glasses for awards.