Rose City Triathlon

I'm a little taken aback when I see I haven't blogged in a month. But then again, school started, so 'nuff said.

Did the last scheduled triathlon of the season this morning. Weather was not optimal. It began raining last night and continued all night and into the morning. Forecast was for more of the same all weekend.

I had everything packed and in the car before dinner last night, clothes and shoes laid out in the bathroom, so I would have minimal effort to get ready this morning. Alarm went off at 5. Dressed, ate my rice flakes, read a little bit, then left at 5:30.

I don't know why, as I have tris that have earlier start times, but the drive to Whitehouse is perhaps the most difficult one I do because I nearly fall asleep! Must be the familiarity. Had to make a rest stop at McDonald's there in Whitehouse, but made it to the race site by 6:40. As always, love the orderliness of the parking. Lots of people were already there. Really love having individually numbered rack spots! As one of the first people to register, I was No. 4, so I had a spot right near the bike transition--great, since I don't do the barefoot thing if I can help it, and running far in cleats is not wise. Got set up with no problem. Got marked. Picked up chip. Dropped of temporary USAT card for Madeleine at the packet pick-up tent. Saw Kami and talked a bit. Did some warm-up runs around the parking lot. Made a last visit to the Port-a-potty.

About 7:20 Kami wanted to do a swim warm-up so I walked with her to the swim finish area so I could take a look at the course, which they altered from last year. (I wasn't going to swim. I don't like standing around wet for an hour.) Didn't look too bad. It's usually a point-to-point swim, but last year's finish area was too shallow this year and had too much hydrilla, so they made it a "hook": we had to make a sharp left turn near the end to finish a few hundred yards east and then do a moderately long run to the transition area. The start area remained out on the dam.

7:40 we made our way up to the dam for the pre-race athletes' meeting. And of course, once we got there, stowed our shoes in bags etc., the rain started. And it got worse. All through the meeting and the playing of the National Anthem, it rained. We (women over 40) were in the last wave so we had to stand there for at least 20 minutes, shivering. I could feel my muscles stiffening up. As soon as the third wave left we were in the water, just to keep warm.

Our wave went at 8:15. I thought it was a good start, but after I rounded the first turn and headed left, I could tell things were not going well by the fact that no one was swimming near me. I was too far "out" from the buoy line. I kept trying to correct and come back left, but as I am right-side dominant, it's difficult. I know I wasted a lot of time swimming further than was necessary. Same thing happened rounding the last buoy (left again) to head to the new finish. The water shallowed up very far out so I had to slog quite a way through water and mud till I reached the shore. Then it was up the ramp and onto the run. I looked at my watch: almost 17 minutes! Ouch!! (I don't remember my time last year, but I can usually do 650 yards in 12-13 minutes. Of course, that is at Tyler State Park and it's all in a straight line.)

T1 went pretty well. Had to sit down on my camp stool to put on my socks and shoes, which were both soaked. (It hadn't been raining an hour earlier when we'd left.) Helmet went on without a problem. (Not wearing sunglasses helped, plus I've learned to pull it--Giro Advantage--on from the front and then over the top, rather than trying to plop it square on the noggin like a normal helmet.)

It was just a short distance to the bike mount line and I was on and going quickly. The rain was still pouring and it was already difficult to see with so much water in my eyes. I was glad to see Galen at the first turn onto Concession Stand Road (even though she called me Jim!). I saw several TBC-ers everywhere--Carole, Super Dave, Blaise, Hebb--but forgive me if I can't remember exactly where. I get a bit of tunnel vision once the race is on. I turned on to FM 346 and began passing some folks. The rain was blinding me but what can you do? Then it was a left turn and back onto the course. That first long hill wasn't too bad. I geared down and managed to pass a few folks. I geared very well on the hills, putting it in the big ring for the downhills, and not really having to leave it for most of the ride. My recent training on rollers--hills, not indoor training!--helped a lot. I was able to get enough momentum from the downhills that all I had to do was stand up and pedal for about 10 seconds before heading over the top of the next hill. Things got a bit technical at the turnaround as they directed us down a little cul-de-sac. It was a sharp left turn with riders coming and going. This is where Rooney passed me. (At least it was halfway into the bike this time!) Back out on the course, things continued well. I passed a lot of folks. (Needless to say, all the bike studs had already finished their rides.) I managed to maintain most of my speed on the right-hand turn back onto FM 346. Then it was back into the Marina area and heading to T2.

T2 went fast, at least at first. Racked bike, un-doffed helmet, removed shoes and put on sneakers. Thought I was really swift heading out to the "run"--only to be called back quickly by Blaise and Kayla cuz I was heading back onto the bike course! Had to turn 90 degrees and run back all the way through transition and out onto the run course. There was a short bit across the grass and then up a slight rise onto the road. I didn't do the run last year as I was part of a relay team, so this was novel--as betokened by the fact that I made another wrong turn, only to be called back by volunteers. But once I got straightened out I found a very comfortable rhythm. At the first mile marker I managed to pass a lady in a Sunrise Tri uniform who I'd traded passed with on the bike. After a quarter mile she passed me, but one more quarter at the next turn I passed her for good. I was a bit disappointed when I saw the 2nd mile marker, if only because I thought we were closer to the end (and because I could see the finish area to my left). But we had to run out over the dam, past the swim start, and on back further, taking a short cross-country run through the mud before turning around for the last time.

It was on this section I saw John Cobb from the back--meaning, I was gaining on him. I'd seen him earlier as runners are going both directions on all parts of the course. He was in red--fitting, since he is like a red flag to a bull--I had passed him on the run at Athens so why not again? But despite passing another man in the mud flat and gaining some time, Cobb was trucking on today. I could not catch him--not without red-lining it. As it was I was able to keep a steady gap on him to the finish (which was down a very slick and muddy slope). He turned around then and gave me a hug, saying every time he heard footsteps behind him he thought it was me!

I got my finisher's medal and went in search of food. I had a bit of a Subway sandwich and stood along the finish lane to cheer on others for a bit. Then I got a Smoothie and stood in line to find out my time. It was very confusing because they hadn't been updated but on the initial list I was at least third. Later when they posted the final results someone from my group must've been a Master's top three because I'd been bumped up to second. I was glad because I've finished third in all three races I've done so far this year, so second was a nice change.

ETT members dominated the overall--Chauncey set a new course record, besting Brady O'Bryan (last year's overall)--as well as the age groups. We had medalists in just about every age group. The race itself was even better than last year. It's definitely one of the best organized races anywhere. Can't offer enough praises to Steve, Alan, Duke, Matt, and all the many other folks who worked so hard to pull it all together.