Gina F.'s profile

   

I was originally going to do Barb's Half but sustained a hamstring injury so I was unable to run. A friend/coach suggested I try the Full AquaBike. This would be the first time I had done either of these events at these distances...a good challenge and one that would refocus my disappointment at not being able to do Barb's with the rest of the women I train with. I am so happy I did this. The swim is in the Russian River. The river is dammed so there really is very little current. The water temperature is just barely wetsuit legal and at time the water level gets pretty shallow (enough that some folks walk parts of it) but overall the swim is lovely and the bike is beautifully scenic. The second loop of the Full Aquabike is somewhat lonely since the half AquaBikers and Barb's racers are mostly finished by then, so you have to play some mental games but that is all part of the experience. There is one challenging hill (Chalk Hill) and on the Full AquaBike you do this hill twice at about mile 50 and 105 but there are lots of spectators to cheer you on and once at the top, there is a wonderful downhill reward! Weather can play a significant role in who is able to finish this race. This year the temperatures were cool in the morning with fog which made for a great first portion of the race. The daytime temps stayed in the 80's with some winds so it was cooler than usual but there were the headwinds to deal with. Temps last year were in the upper 90's which can really be quite stressful so be prepared if you decide to do this race!!! The aid stations are very well organized and staffed. My only complaint is that the AquaBike finish is at the bike dismount which is not where the spectators are expecting you to finish so it is easy for your friends and family to miss your finish. Otherwise, great race and I would definitely do it again!

   

I ran this race for the first time last year. I had competed in the Fremont Mermaid 3 other times. I love Mermaid events because everyone is out there to not only compete but to support each other as well. Last year they added a Might Mermaid distance which was double the swim, bike and run. This was the longest tri I had ever done and it was definitely a challenge. The swim is a nice open water swim but you do have to go around a rather funky cement ship. The bike course has a couple of pretty challenging hills but there are lots of women who walk up them and no one complains. The run is on the state park road that runs parallel to shore and it is beautiful with lots of distractions to help you through the run. But the best part is the support that everyone gives to each other as we compete to the best of our abilities. There is nothing but encouragement all along the way and Heidi does an awesome job encouraging everyone from her race announcer's booth. This is a fantastic race for first-timers to experienced racers and everyone inbetween. This is just an absolutely awesome event!

   

This was the first triathlon I ever competed in and everyone was so accomodating and helpful, organizers and athletes alike! There is an opportunity to compete in an age group as well as a for fun division so it is a great place for women to test the triathlon waters. The course is smooth swimming in a lake, a 3 loop flat bike course and a basically flat run course on compact dirt around percolating ponds so it is not too hard on the knees. Definitely a great place to start!