Lake Mills WI Triathlon Review

Triathlon season is a big deal in Wisconsin. Unlike many states, road biking is safer and popular in Wisconsin. Plus, there are plenty of lakes for open-water swimming. Many Wisconsinites take on the challenge to compete in the Ironman located in the capital, Madison, WI. It’s conveniently held in early fall so athletes can part-take in plenty of other triathlon events while building fitness for the Ironman. Wisconsin even has an eight-race triathlon series, the Wisconsin Tri-Series. This year I was able to race in a couple but enjoyed the season opener, Lake Mills, for the following reasons.

1. Easy Swim

   This was my first triathlon, so I had no idea what to expect other than knowing you’d get bonked around. The warmup area was large and in the center of the swim course. While completing warmups, it was also nice to see other waves take off. The swim course was a nice three-quarter loop that was right on target with 400m unlike a longer swim like Pardeeville.

2. Slightly Rolling Bike Course

   The slightly rolling terrain made for a faster bike course. Utilizing the slight downhills was a great opportunity to pick up speed. The only thing you’ll want to be cautious about is dismount since it’s positioned at the bottom of a hill.

3. Flat Out and Back Run Course
   The run course is on a limestone/dirt trail which was nice and flat. The run course is an out-and-back. Although I don’t always love out-and-back routes, I found it a bit more motivating. It was easier to segment the run and fun to see who was already running towards the finish line.

4. Large Turnout
   The Wisconsin Tri-Series is very popular and Lake Mills always gets a large number of athletes to sign up. The course makes it easy for first-timers and the larger crowds give a good taste of what the triathlon scene is like. There were even a handful of teams there.

5. Cooler Weather
   Considering Wisconsin only has a few hot months in the year, I enjoy racing in cooler weather. The race takes place the first weekend of June, therefore, the water is on the cooler side but it is still manageable without a wetsuit. This year the water temp was technically a couple of degrees warmer than the air temp. I did not race in a wetsuit and decided to stay in the water until my swim wave was on deck. I didn’t have any problems staying warm for the bike and the run which is a huge win and of course helped with a better finishing time.

This is my first year diving into Triathlon training. I have my eyes set on a fast marathon, but want to find a complimentary race that I also enjoy. So far triathlon training has helped my running by having more zone 2 work. I’ve also enjoyed having more opportunities to get used to pushing the pace. Lastly, the variety is nice and allows for more race variety.

Happy Running,

Diana