Click on link below to watch the video:
I couldn’t resist posting this… I love my Avias too!
Click on link below to watch the video:
I couldn’t resist posting this… I love my Avias too!
After the crazy double (Xterra Northwest Cup & Oliver Half Iron on the same weekend) , it took me about 2 week to properly recover, then I headed to France to spend some quality time with my parents but also to enjoy loads of good wine & cheese!
After my trip to Europe, it was back to regular training to prep for Xterra Vashon. I have a sentimental attachment to this race because back in 2002, this was my first ever triathlon (and Xterra), I was hooked! So, every year, no matter what, I head to Vashon for the race.
This year’s edition marked the noticeable absence of a few top competitors (like teammate Keri Grosse) despite the prize money they were offering for the first time. Which was good because, I’ve been feeling a bit tired this past few weeks despite lots of rest, and unfortunately, I was not feeling 100% for this race.
Race morning went well, having stayed on the island overnight this time, I didn’t have to deal with the usual rush to the ferry, and was one of the first people to arrive at Dockton Park. I got set up, when for a quick spin with Yvonne (my other regional nemesis), only to find a bike in my spot on the rack when I got back. I don’t get this, why would you set up your gear there when it’s obvious someone already is, and it’s not like that person just push me over to make room, no, this person was literally in my spot! Of course, when I asked around who owned this bike, no one answered, so I proceed to move his stuff out of my way. When the guy came back shortly after, he actually had the good idea of not saying anything! I would have kicked his ass.
Shortly before 9am, I got into my awesome Profile Design Goldcell wetsuit. And, for the first time this year, I was proudly wearing my Melrad Racing tri suit! This was great, I felt like the coolest kid around!
3 waves for the swim this year: younger guys, older guys & relays, gals…The water at Dockton park isn’t always very appealing, but at least this year there weren’t any jellyfishes. The waves were 7 minutes apart, so at 9:14, we were off. Xterra Vashon is such
a low key event that they don’t even bother putting buoys in the water, the turnaround point was one of the sail boats anchored close by!
The swim went well, I swam in the middle of the pack and was out of the water about 30 seconds behind Yvonne. (swim 12:51)
Transition was fast (T1 0:53), since my Goldcell is so easy to remove. The bike starts with a climb on very tight singletrack, which always creates a bottleneck, it’s very frustrating, and since the bike course is 3 loops this year, well, we have to climb it 3 times.
When I get to the switchback, it’s already very congested with 5 or 6 riders pushing their bikes. I start climbing while asking for room to pass but it’s way to crowded and I soon loose my momentum and end up pushing my bike too. I size this opportunity to pass them all before I jump back on my bike.
After a minute of so, I catch up with Yvonne. For the next loop & half, we have a great little battle going on, as we pass and re-pass each other. I’m hoping I can pass her and come into T2 with a solid lead as I’m not sure I can keep up with her on the run. I pass her again and managed to put some distance between us when I come upon a rider on a very tight trail, the guy is slow, and despite my demands, won’t let me pass. The bushes are so dense, that unless he pulls over, I can’t make a pass without his help ….This goes on for a few minutes, until, of course, Yvonne catches up again. We finally get to a fire road, and I shoot the guy a dirty look as we pass him. We continue on the fire road for about 1/2 mile, Yvonne passes me again just as we approach another (slow) rider, that’s also when the trail becomes singletrack again, Yvonne manages to squeeze by the new guy and gets onto the trail first, I’m about to follow when the dude decides to go for it too, and proceeds to fall and block the entire trail with his bike. I’m thinking “I’m screwed”, Yvonne is getting away, and this guy is ketchup slow, taking the longest possible time to get up! Once, I’m back in business, I hammer to make up lost time, but I keep running into people who just crashed with their bikes in the middle of the trail! I think Yvonne paid them to fall in front of me! (bike 1:25:29)
When I get back to T2, I know I’m in 2nd position, but at least 2 minutes down on Yvonne. I have a super quick T2 (0:24), and head onto the trail run in my Avia Stoltz. The first part of the trail run is uphill, followed by 2 loops of very twisty singletrack, then a 1/2 mile section of road, follow by a very very rolling section of singletrack. I was running as fast as my legs would let me, and caught up with a bunch of boys, but no signs of Yvonne. Half way thru the run, it started raining, hard, but it was actually very refreshing.
Once I get into the last section of singletrack, there is still no sign of Yvonne, but I keep working hard to secure my 2nd place. I look over my shoulder but see no one, and finish the run in 30:13…for a 2nd place overall and 2nd place in Age Group !
But for the first time ever since I started racing in 2002, I actually made money! I was pretty stoked to receive a $75 check (ok, it ain’t much but it’s a start!)…
Next race: Xterra Black Diamond (August 2nd).
Well, I did it. Against everybody’s advice, I raced a “double” and it was a bad idea!
Here is how it went:
Left home on Thursday, June 4 around noon, took the I5 down to Everett, and then Hwy 2 towards Wenatchee. I could have taken the I90 all the way to Spokane, but I prefer 2 lane highways… Around 8pm, I arrived in Spokane and found a nice hotel at a great price.
I had a great night sleep and a big breakfast and took off around 10am. I drove a couple more hours to Farragut State Park, ID where the Xterra Northwest Cup was set to take place on Saturday, June 6.
I went for a pre-ride of the bike course, which seemed to be meant for me; lots of fast single track, short hills and fast downhills … After the pre-ride, I decided to try my new Profile Design Goldcell Wetsuit in the lake. The suit is just awesome, felt great in it, even in cold water…nice!
Race morning was unusually civilized. I got up at 7:30am, had breakfast, loaded the car and left the hotel at 9am. I arrived at Farragut State Park just before 10am. Everything was cool, even the weather witch totally changed overnight. Temps went from low 90s on Friday to low 60s on Saturday …and the wind had picked up too.
I picked up my race package, said hi to my teammates Keri, Tom, Jennifer, Bruce, and of course Melanie. Then I went to transition to get set up.
In transition I ran into Korrie, my regional nemesis. I can never beat Korrie, I’m always second behind Korrie, and it’s starting to piss me off. Last season, I was always at least 15 minutes behind Korrie, but I am determined to change that this year. My other problem is Yvonne, who just moved into my age group …so far, I never been able beat Yvonne either so this race should be interesting.
According to all the chatter in transition, the lake has cool down as well and the water temp is now in the low 50s…ouch. I decide to pull out all my cold weather gear, and run to the car to get the extra swim cap & the booties!
At 11:30ish, we head down to the lake. A quick dip in the lake to warm up reveals that, yeah, booties & extra swim cap are indeed a good idea! I’ve got to say I’m not looking forward to this swim; cold water, wind waves, current …yeah, nice!
At noon, the pro wave is off, then the guys under 35, then the guys over 35, then the ladies …
The swim is rough, I’m swimming hard and I feel like I’m not moving. I come around the first buoy and it seems the waves are getting bigger … I can’t even see the second buoy…The swim feels horribly long. When I get out of the water for the beach run, I look at my watch an see: 18 minutes. Ouch! That’s way too slow! I run down the beach & back in the water for lap 2. Same story here, I battle the current, I swim as hard as I can and feel like I’m not moving an inch …when I finally reach the beach, I read 36 minutes on my watch … this would be by far, my worst swim in a long time. I run UP to transition (yes, up …stairs & all)…notice that Yvonne & Korrie’s bikes are already gone, make a quick change and off onto the bike. (T1: 1:26)
At this point, I’m not thinking about Sunday’s race, I get cranking like there is no tomorrow. As soon as I’m on the trail, I start making passes …guys mostly, but whatever, I’ve got to catch up and clock a fast ride. I’m riding really well but after few miles, no signs of either girls. Then, on a hill, I catch up with Yvonne, who, apparently is not having a great day, I pass her about a mile from the end of the first lap, and try to put some distance between us. At the beginning of lap 2, I hear a crash behind me, it’s Yvonne! I had no idea she was so close. Her crash helps me get away, but about a 1 mile & half later, there she is again, and she passes me…I ride in her wheel for a few minutes as she catches up with 2 other girls, we pass them, and then I re-pass Yvonne … As I ride away I yell ” hope I don’t see you again”. This time, I really crank it, I need to put some distance between us, so she doesn’t pass me again. As I’m trying to get away from Yvonne, I loose control on a downhill trail , collide with a pine tree & fly over the handlebars!
I’ve got blood on my elbow, but looks like I’m ok, so I get up quickly, and hop back on my bike, and resume the chase. I finally arrive at T2, feeling good about my ride. Bike: 1:47:06 (3rd fastest bike split women, fastest split in AG).
T2 goes great as usual: 36 seconds
I start the run with 2 problems, one in front (Korrie), the other one behind (Yvonne). I mean, I don’t know if Yvonne (or someone else) is not gonna come charging down and pass me in the last hundred feet of the run… So, again, I start running like there is no tomorrow…I pass a few guys, get to the hill, which wasn’t as bad as I was expecting, pass a few more guys, then I hear someone behind me, it’s a woman, but not who I expect, she passes me like I’m standing still, then a little later Lori Harvey passes me. I’m actually surprised because I never get to see Lori in races, she is always ways ahead of me…So, I’m being passed but I’m feeling pretty good about my race, and I’m happy too because I know my teammate Keri Grosse (who is in Lori’s AG) is ahead of her. I can hear the announcer, so I know I’m getting close to the finish, but this is Xterra so there is one more turn, and up another hill …I look back and don’t see any imminent danger, I look ahead, and still no Korrie …looks like she beat me again.
Finally, I see the finish line & Korrie on the other side of it! I finish the 6.4 mile trail run in 57 minutes & change and the race in 3h24 …a minute and 10 seconds behind my nemesis! So close!
I end up 8th overall and second in my AG.
After the race I get cleaned up, eat a hot dog and a burger, and hang out a little for the awards. Then at 6 pm, I get in the car and start my 250 mile drive to Oliver, BC!
When I arrive in Oliver it’s almost 11:30pm, and of course, I can’t find the transition where I’m supposed to pick up my race package and drop of my bike. I drive around for a while, then I stop at the 7-11 to ask for directions. When I finally find it, the nice security guards give me my race package & I drop off my bike. They also tell me there is no way I can get an hotel at this time of the night …that’s fine, I’m prepared, I’ve got a sleeping bag. I ask them if I can park close by in that parking lot and if they can keep an eye on the car …
I spend a very uncomfortable sleepless night in the back of my Jeep Grand Cherokee.
I’m up at 5am, as a few too eager triathletes are starting to arrive (the transition opens at 5:45). I get some breakfast, and a “diet Rock Star” to replace the coffee! Some dude parks next to my car and asks me where body marking is, when I tell him I don’t know he points at the numbers on my calf … yeah, I reply, that’s from yesterday!
Once the transition opens, I get in, get body (re)marked, and proceed to my rack to get set up.
As we inch closer to 7:30am, I get my wetsuit on head to the beach. Quick warm up, and I am happy to find the water is way warmer than in Idaho.
The swim start is in waves again. It takes me a few hundred meters to get settled, and I notice right away that my arms feel heavy & tired. The swim is busy, and so I make a bee line for the buoys on the right side, I swim on the outside of the buoys for most of the swim and had clear water almost the all way. I look at my watch as I get out of the water: 41′ …yikes! The run to T1 is really long, like 450m long, but at least it’s flat…
I head out on the bike hoping I can make the 93km go by quickly. However, I realize I have no legs, no energy …nothing, all I can feel is fatigue. I keep pedaling hoping that maybe, once I’m warm after a few kms I’ll get a little spark.
15km into the ride, and still no spark, my legs are tired and for the first time ever in my triathlon career, I am seriously contemplating a possible DNF. The thoughts keep going back and forth in my head, should I quit, should I keep going? If I keep going, how fast can I finish? I decide to keep on riding for now, I am passing a lot of people, and I find it quite comforting.
Towards the end of lap 1, I really wonder if I can keep this up as ride by transition, but I choose to continue, I’ve never DNFed and I don’t want to start today. Lap 2 of the bike is uneventful, but painful as fatigue really sets in. I breathe a sight of relief when I get back to T2 (bike 2h55:03)
At T2, the same thoughts are going thru my head, should I call it a day? I put on my Avia Bolts running shoes anyway and head out on the run (T2: 1:22)
I start the run with a walk, then a jog…as I calculate in my head a potential finish time. At that point, I’m 3h43 into the race, so a 5h15 finish is out of the question, I really don’t think I can run a 1h30 half marathon in my “condition”. I decide to keep on running and try to make it to the finish line under 6hrs … I try to run no matter what, and allow myself to walk aid stations only. As I start lap 2, I know I’m gonna have to crank it up a notch if I want to finish under 6hrs. I actually picked up some sort of a 2nd wind, and managed to run pretty well on the second lap, the last 3km were probably the fastest, I wanted this thing over with.
I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel, and cross the finish line in 5h52:10 & 18th out of 62 in my AG (87 out of 373 overall). I felt little disappointed because I felt slow today, and I little happy because I finished my stupid double, and totally stupid for actually attempting this.
After a shower and some food, I was back in the car for another 280 miles drive to get home.
To sum up, it was stupid, don’t try this, it’s not worth it.
It took me almost 2 weeks to recover!