Race Report – Lorain International Triathlon

Submitted By – Mark Gorris

Raced the Lorain Intl Triathlon on Sunday and ended up taking the top spot on the podium. After many a near miss, it was nice to put together a complete race.

Originally I had planned on the sprint race b/c of the hard effort the prior week at Carnation. By Saturday I was feelin’ it, and decided to enter the longer race.

We spent the night up in Westlake and had a nice birthday celebration for my father in law the night before.

Race morning saw a nice stiff wind out of the NW, and the Coast Guard notified the RD that there would be no swimming beyond the breakwall. Hence, the swim for both races was shortened. I use the term “swim” loosely here. The Intl was two loops including a beach run back to the start, I think we walked/ran more than we swam. The water was very shallow in certain areas so swimming was not an option. I thought I saw Moses on the breakwall, white beard blowing in the wind, parting the waters of Lake Erie….that is how shallow it was on different parts of the “swim!”

I was fortunate to exit T1 first and laid down the fastest bike split of the day. Looking at last years times, I wanted to try to break 56′ for the bike, ended up coming in at 55:46, just under a 23.5 avg. Exited T2 with a good lead and looked to hold things steady for the run. Thinking back to prior year’s results, a sub 40 10k would be a very good time so that was my goal. Miles went by pretty easy and I was holding pace between 620/630. Ended up hitting my goal of a sub 40′ run, 39:45 to be exact. It has been nice to put down some nice run splits as the season has progressed. All the running with my long run group from the Jackson Y is starting to pay dividends, makes getting up at 4am worth it ( – :

After the race I was interviewed by a reporter from the local fish wrap. Ended up having a pic taken that made the web-site, some good pub for our wonderful team sponsors. If the article makes the paper, I will be sure to send on to Jerry.

Season winding down, only one more tri to go, Portage Lakes. I am sure we will have a strong showing there….hope to see you all there

Raced the Lorain Intl Triathlon on Sunday and ended up taking the top spot on the podium. After many a near miss, it was nice to put together a complete race.

Originally I had planned on the sprint race b/c of the hard effort the prior week at Carnation. By Saturday I was feelin’ it, and decided to enter the longer race.

We spent the night up in Westlake and had a nice birthday celebration for my father in law the night before.

Race morning saw a nice stiff wind out of the NW, and the Coast Guard notified the RD that there would be no swimming beyond the breakwall. Hence, the swim for both races was shortened. I use the term “swim” loosely here. The Intl was two loops including a beach run back to the start, I think we walked/ran more than we swam. The water was very shallow in certain areas so swimming was not an option. I thought I saw Moses on the breakwall, white beard blowing in the wind, parting the waters of Lake Erie….that is how shallow it was on different parts of the “swim!”

I was fortunate to exit T1 first and laid down the fastest bike split of the day. Looking at last years times, I wanted to try to break 56′ for the bike, ended up coming in at 55:46, just under a 23.5 avg. Exited T2 with a good lead and looked to hold things steady for the run. Thinking back to prior year’s results, a sub 40 10k would be a very good time so that was my goal. Miles went by pretty easy and I was holding pace between 620/630. Ended up hitting my goal of a sub 40′ run, 39:45 to be exact. It has been nice to put down some nice run splits as the season has progressed. All the running with my long run group from the Jackson Y is starting to pay dividends, makes getting up at 4am worth it ( – :

After the race I was interviewed by a reporter from the local fish wrap. Ended up having a pic taken that made the web-site, some good pub for our wonderful team sponsors. If the article makes the paper, I will be sure to send on to Jerry.

Season winding down, only one more tri to go, Portage Lakes. I am sure we will have a strong showing there….hope to see you all there