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Date/Location: |
May 08, 2021 – Folsom Lake, Granite Bay, CA |
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Distances: |
Swim 1.5K – Bike 40K – Run 10K |
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Time: |
2:39:08 (23:45-1:25:42-49:41) |
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Place: |
6th , M50-54 |
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Teammates: |
FCA: Anna Soares (AquaBike), Caryn Galeckas, Robin Soares, Suzanne Hartley, Timothy Hess (AquaBike),Troy Outman; Dana Haldeman, Dave Campbell, Dominic Pollizzi, Josh Cagney, Keith Hansen, Tony Marengo, Wyatt Hamilton |
We leave the house at 5:30.. I’m the last one to the car as I keep remembering things I’m supposed to have for a triathlon! It’s been almost 2 years.. IM Lake Placid was the last one.
A triathlon is a big event, many will feel unprepared (like I do), many will be scared because it’s their first, and some will feel pressure to win something, or else feel disappointed. But there are also many that are helpful and make it special. They welcome you with a smile, reassure you, offer to help you zip your wesuit, or just encourage you even if they are more in need of encouragement. I’ve had so much encouragement and help given me and I want to be one of those that make this day special. Psalm 91 this morning spoke to the incredible reasurring and protection given from the Lord. What a huge help.
Folsom Lake at 6am and there’s a line of cars. Someone asks, “Is this the way to see the wildflowers?” I thought everyone was triathletes.. I forgot that because of the extremely low lake levels this year casuing a “Super Bloom” of flowers, that people are comng from all around to view it.
I forgot my USAT card.. which shows how out-of-triathlon-practice I am. Robin & I rack our bikes for the Olympic triathlon and Anna racks hers in the AquaBike section. Ariel is supporting us today.
The best part, seeing the friends that fill all the great memories we have of triathlons. Dave Campbell – defies age, first one to transition, and always takes time to greet you and make you feel like family. Troy & Sara Outman – a smile, a story, always the reminder to meet for prayer before the race. Suzanne & Caryn – the remarkable, the humble, the 2 prayer warriors that show you can be spiritual parents of 15 at-risk teenagers and still find time for triathlon! Richard Kane, Keith Hanson, Dana Haldeman – the regulars, the consistent, the benchmarks in our age groups we love to race with. And some young friends that are so exciting to follow like Josh Cagney and Wyatt Hamilton.
I hustle to get my transition ready and quickly take off jogging. I never have enough time. I wave to Robin telling her I’m going down and then jog to a far restroom for a quick stop and then the 1/2mi trek across the beach to join the line of athletes walking to the water. It’s a long ways away.
Robin leads 6 of us in prayer and I’m reminded again how special every athlete is and that I don’t want to think only of myself. Ok, 2 minutes to start: Ariel zips my wetsuit, I swim for 25 yds, get into the wave next to Troy. We pray quickly together and then I him ahead saying, “You’re faster than me”.
Swim:
Go!
Memories of how to open water swim coming back to me. Thankfully not a lot of pushing going on. Try to get on feet but each time get dropped. Goggles fogging up. Water very comfortable. Buoy direction is perfect (not into the sun anywhere). I stop once to clear goggles and then they’re good.
50+ is the 1st wave, which is a treat to lead the race off. I remember being in the 1st wave when i was 25-29 and missing it when I aged up. Neat to be back in the first wave again.
I remind myself not to get excited and push hard with only 6 swims this year or else I’ll be wiped out by the first buoy turn. It’s really great to be in a race again. It’s fun, too. 1/2 way through I’m amazed how far out this is. I’ve given up trying to draft and just pick a lonely line for myself. Towards the end I feel a chill coming on and plan to run up the beach with my wetsuit on instead this time to generate heat for the bike. It’s not a cold day but I don’t like being cold on the bike.
25:46 Great! Almost the same time 2 years ago.
T1:
I finish right next to Dave Campbell which means I did well! I give my tag to a volunteer while hearing Ariel’s voice grabbing other tags – she always ends up volunteering.. good job, Ariel! Shoes on and job up the beach. I thank people who are cheering and encouraging as they walk down to watch the later starts. The run in the wetsuit was fine, although harder to get off in transition – where I see Dave Campbell, without a wetsuit, run by. He’s going to be hard to catch now. I finally get on my bike.. 9 min later!
Bike:
It feels great to be riding. I feel really fast… I’m actually going the same speed as previous triathlons, but it’s so unfamiliar that it’s really fun. At some points there are descents, turns, potholes and I almost feel out of control. It’s fun going fast on a bike, it gets your adrenaline going, but I have to stay focused and be smart. I focus on God and the lesson He taught me years ago when I crashed in a bike race and broke ribs – don’t be hectic. Spend time listening to God and not rushing. I’m not good at that but I keep trying.
I know Troy Outman, Dave Campbell, Timothy Hess, Keith Hanson and Richard Kane are up ahead somewhere. I’m looking forward to the small hills ahead because during my commutes home from work I’ve been working on a new technique that really helps. On King Rd, I start passing some riders and encouraging them as I go. The bike is shifting great, feeling good, and the seated power technique is working well.
I’m glad to see Troy Outman. Feels like family when we get to race together and I’m so glad he came out today. We push each other, passing and getting passed a few times. He tells me Timothy Hess went by him a while ago.
I love these familiar roads, like the John 3:16 signa and American flag hanging from a rural property.
I’m able to pass Dave Campbell on the big hill on Power House which means I’m riding very well. He is one of the strongest Grandpas in the State and I’m sure a big inspiration for his multiple grandkids. One more hill and I get to ride my FAVORITE road – downhill Auburn-Folsom!
This is my morning commute to work and I love it! Surely it will be my fastest commute today with the aerobars and no backpack 
I try to keep pushing the pedals hard even though it feels so fast anyway. It’s smooth and pretty. Thanks, God, for the fun that it is!
I push on, looking for Tim. In the last section as we enter the park on the dirt path I see him. I had to work really hard but it’s so worth it. We both have our bright yellow FCA jerseys and are competing for Christ and it’s been so encouraging since joining FCA Endurance 20 yrs to see brothers and sisters at races in yellow!
1:13:26. Wow! Same exact time as 2 years ago. Thank you, God.
T2:
Good dismout, switch to run shoes, grab a water bottle.. ok, now to see what will happen with my chronic heal pain. I will give God my best even if it means walking. We head out the back for a North loop which is cool because we get to go through transition area again before heading farther out. TBF workers cheer me on which is so encouraing. We do a lot of TBF Races and they seem to remember every athlete. They’re so friendly and encouraging. Love this race company.
My foot is doing ok. I’m focusing on foot placement while relaxing my right calf. Using more of my legs instead of the calves. I keep drinking. This is cool.. I’m running.. feels fast (even though it’s slower).. I pass someone. Back through the race finish area. It’s so great to see people happily cheering for everyone. Such a privelege to compete.
Running these trails remind me of last week supporting Robin on her 1/2 Ironman on these same trails. I hear really fast footsteps behind me… I wonder if it might be a relay team with a super fast runner… of course, it’s Dave Campbell! Always impressive how fast he can run a 10k after the bike. He goes by quick and I usually never catch him, but I always have hope.. I’ll keep pushing and, who knows, anything can happen..
Out on the rolling fire roads, the descents are steep and I really have to pull my leg through and focus on good footing. I start counting the runners coming back. I hope I can be in the top 10. I see a couple runners that look young, yet the younger waves started a 1/2 hr after me. I’m wondering how they got ahead. They must really be fast (later I learned that they were in the American River 50 miler race going through the same trails!). I really hope the turn-around is soon. There’s Dave Campbell coming back. “Good job, Dave!” And there’s the turn-around. So glad.
On the way back it’s getting tough but I look for friends and people to encourage still heading out. I see Troy Outman, Dana Halderman, Tony Marango, and many other friendly faces. A triathlon is hard work, but so many are smiling and happy to be challenging themselves. For some this might be their first Olympic Distance triathlon. I’m remembering more how much of an accomplishment it is just to FINISH one of these.
I’ve eaten my 2 gels and am nearing the end. I’ve been looking for Robin but haven’t seen her. Maybe she got a flat, or fell off her bike.. I pray that she’s ok, and that if she’s fixing a flat somewhere (or helping Anna or someone else fix a flat) that she will be given great motivation to race face once she’s back on course.
Thank you Lord for letting me finish without my foot hurting bad. I’m so appreciative. And God answered my prayers for both Anna and Robin, they both had good races even though I didn’t see them when I thought I should. And it’s a great FCA Endurance reunion with Suzanne, Caryn, Troy Outman, and Timothy Hess!
