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May 13, 2007

2007 City of Gold Triathlon

My day started with my usual race preparation - toast, with peanut butter, along with lots water to make sure I was fully hydrated. I finished getting all my gear together, and ran down my checklist one last time to make absolutely certain I did not forget anything. I loaded everything up, kissed my wife good by and I was off!!!!

Once I got into Oroville, my first order of business was to drive the bike route. I hadn't been across those roads since last year, and I really hate surprises at 35 miles an hour. I turned onto Miners Ranch Road, and about a mile in I see a HUGE pothole in the southbound lane. I make a mental note of this, and continue. About another mile and I see another HUGE, BIKE EATING POTHOLE in the northbound lane. I can not fathom why the road department could not put $20 worth of patching material into these before this event. At that point I was pissed, because anyone that hit those potholes would crash - there was no doubt in my mind. Even though drafting is not legal in a USAT event, riders are usually close enough together that if one rider goes down, lots of riders go down. I thought about trying to call these in - but given that it was a Saturday, I was pretty sure that they would not get filled prior to the race getting started - so I pulled out a can of white marking paint and painted them up - to hopefully give the athletes that didn't pre-drive the race a "heads up".

Note to all Public Works Departments - If your agency authorizes an event to be held in your jurisdiction, or even if it is not officially authorized, you owe it to the athletes, the race directors, and your tax payers (who will pay the bill if your agency gets sued for knowingly allowing a hazardous condition to exist on the roadways) to send a couple of people out the afternoon before the event with a patch truck.
I checked out the rest of the route and everything else looked good. Went down to the Bidwell Launch Area and set up the transition area. I usually take lots of time setting up my transition, and this was no exception. I carefully picked the best location that would be easy to find - laid out my towels to mark the spot, then brought in my gear and my bike.

About 30 minutes before the race start, I sprayed up with Pam, one last shot of chap-stick, put on my wetsuit and headed to the water. Once in the water, I warmed up a little bit, and the water felt pretty good - I estimated around 65-68 degrees. Was able to talk to some of my friends from In-Motion, which was good (since I switched clubs, I very seldom get to see them anymore).

I was the second wave to start (the red caps) which included all the men 35 and older (the 35 and under crowd was first to leave, 5 minutes before us). Once the horn went off, I had a good start - I purposefully started way to the outside, so that I would not have all the physical contact that happens in the middle of the pack. After about 200 yards, I realized that my pace was a little fast, so I slowed a bit (I was struggling with my breathing, and could feel my heart rate beginning to spike). After that, I settled in to a pretty good routine, about every 5 or six breaths I would do a "sighting" stoke, and pull me head up to verify that I was still headed towards the buoy.

Made it to the first buoy, rounded it then tried to see the second - really couldn't make it out on the horizon. Luckily, the rest the pack was close enough, I could still see them - so I just followed the thrashing legs and arms. By the time I rounded the second buoy, I had already passed several blue caps from the previous wave - that was a first for me!!! Then my challenge was to see if I could get out of the water before the women’s wave caught up to me. Last year I was passed (and literally ran over) by a whole herd of very fast swimmers. This year I made it almost all the way to the ramp before the first couple of swimmers zoomed past me.

Once on the ramp, I focused on the important stuff - find the end of my zipper cord, for the timing people - did that, the headed up the ramp, stripping my wet suit, cap, earplugs and goggles in the process. Made it to the transition, and everything just clicked - wetsuit off in a split second, socks and bike shoes on, glasses and helmet on, grab the bike and go!!! The final split times are not up on the race website yet, but I believe that my total T1 was less than 2 minutes, 30 seconds - including the run up the ramp.

Once on the bike, we immediately hit a pretty steep hill - on the order of 10%. Focused on keep my pace up, and pushing pretty hard, but trying not to "blow up" at the same time. Passed a few people going up, some were really struggling with the grade issues. Once at the top, took a right turn, then more uphill, until we got to the visitors center. Prior to reaching the center, I had put my gloves on (I keep them on the bike, and put on while on the move), and had been hydrating with the Aero Drink unit. I really like this, as you can keep both hands on the bars, and drink without even thinking about drinking (the straw is about 2 inches away from your face).

Once we reached the visitor center, then the downhill began. I immediately started passing people, and probably passed 5 or 6 in that stretch. Very cool, being tucked in the aero position, and blowing past someone at about 40 or 45 miles and hour. Only real mistake in that stretch was the stop at Hwy 162 - I didn't drop into a low enough gear, and had a heck of a time getting started again.

I kept working on hydration, and was able to get down two shot Bloks during the ride. The rest of the ride was pretty uneventful, other than a twenty something blond in a very skimpy two piece tri-suit that kept passing me on the hills - then I would pass her on the flats - we kept that up for quite a few miles, until her 25 year younger legs finally won - and she pulled away.

The last downhill was wild, as you could get going way too fast if you were not careful. Then I came up behind a Park sheriff, driving the same direction as me - and he waved me on - so I passed the guy doing about 35 - very cool. Got stopped at the transition line, jumped off the bike and ran over to my transition area in my socks - only what I thought was my transition area had someone else’s backpack in it. What the hell, I stood there slowly trying to process what was happening - then it dawned on my that my spot was over two more racks, I just got thrown off by a backpack that was similar (but different) than mine.

Pulled off the helmet, put on my running shoes (speed laces makes that about a 5 second process), snapped on my fuel belt and put on my visor and I was off on the run - total T2 time of less than 30 seconds.

Run started off ok, but as soon as I hit the steep part of the hill my ankles started talking to me - so I walked for about 50 feet or so to stretch them out - the ran the milder grades, and walked the steep stuff to keep my heart rate down. After the first mile, the course leveled out, and I was able to pick up the pace. Passed probably 3 or 4 runners, and then at the aid station, I passed 4 all at once - they were all huddled up getting a cup of water, and I blew right past, drinking out of my own water bottle.

For some reason, the damned water bottle decided to fly out of my fuel belt about 1/2 a mile from the end - have no idea what that was about. Of course, I stopped, backtracked and picked it up - I'm sure that cost me 15 or 20 seconds.

About that time on the course I was able to hear the announcer and the crowd - and I picked up my pace another couple of notches. I was able to pass two more people on this last stretch, and then gave it all I had on the last 100 yards into the chute.

They had little kids giving out finisher’s medals, and lots and water, food, Recharge, and other drinks available. I cooled down by walking around a bit, and then just enjoyed the rest of the day.

I stuck around for the awards ceremony, and what do you know - I won third place in my age group. They had these very cool hats, with "3d Place Finisher" embroidered on them - how cool is that???

Finally loaded up my stuff, and headed home - and surprised everyone when they found out I had placed in my age group. This was the first time I had placed in a triathlon, and it is a very good feeling.

Overall a great race - Julie and Nikki do a great job of organizing and executing this event.

Posted by Dennis at May 13, 2007 06:44 AM

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Comments

Posted by: Terry Givens at May 15, 2007 07:02 AM

Posted by: Rodney Cox at May 16, 2007 02:24 PM

Posted by: Dennis at May 16, 2007 09:05 PM

Posted by: Paul at May 28, 2007 12:46 AM

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