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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: |
2:53:14 (24:32-1:32:58-55:45) |
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Place: |
2nd, W45-49 (9th Female OA) |
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Teammates: |
FCA: Anna Soares (AquaBike), Caryn Galeckas, Suzanne Hartley, Timothy Hess (AquaBike),Troy Outman, Troy Soares; Dana Haldeman, Dave Campbell, Dominic Pollizzi, Josh Cagney, Keith Hansen, Tony Marengo, Wyatt Hamilton |
Triathlon is back! This is the first Olympic Distance Tri in our local area since 2019. My last official triathlon was in August of 2019! I am thankful that I did a Mock Half Iron Distance last weekend to work out some of the kinks. But there will still be some things that will likely come up today.
The parking lot looks full when we arrive about an hour early. Triathletes are all over the place. It seems strange because it's been a long time but somehow we all remember what to do. As we set up and get oriented, we run into so many familiar faces.
It's a LONG trek to the start of the swim. The lack of snow this season is apparent and the lake has suffered. I do a warm-up jog down in some old shoes to pray with Troy and our other teammates, Caryn Galeckas and Suzanne Hartley. I pray for the injuries in the group and for us to be a light to others. I soon watch them start the swim.
I do a quick warm up to acclimate. The water is a perfect temperature for me. I come to shore and find out that Ariel has been recruited as a volunteer to track folks as they exit the water. Cool!
Oh my, my race is starting in less than 2 minutes. I run over and get a spot. I notice a guy in front of me doesn't have his wetsuit completely zipped up. I ask him if he'd like me to fix that and he gladly says yes. I haven't seen Dana. Maybe she's at a different race?
SWIM
Ready, set, go! I'm surrounded by yellow caps as I jump into the water. I just don’t want to get smacked in the head. I pray for peace and protection. God is always available when we cry out to Him. I get into a good rhythm going out. There are a few guys that I have to avoid as they zig-zag along. And later, I have to pick up the pace to avoid getting bumped from the side. I don’t get a draft going out but I am able to swim strong. (500m @ 1:40/100 pace)
After the first turn, I am alongside a guy who is drifting. I'm not sure if this is the same guy. I push to get ahead of him. I see yellow caps ahead and I push to catch them by the next turn. It looks like I close the gap some by the next buoy. It's a long home stretch now. (Next 500m @ 1:41/100 pace)
I push to catch those yellow caps I've been chasing. I'm keeping my head down mostly and focusing on using my hands to push the water. I'm making progress! I put my head down and focus again. Next time I look up it's as if the yellow caps have disintegrated. I see swimmers heading for an orange round buoy and turning there to go to the finish. It confuses me because generally those are for guidance and the white triangle buoys are for turning. Well, that's where the swimmers are going so I'll go too.
I round the orange buoy and sprint to the finish. (Next 500m @1:37/100 pace) I keep swimming until my hand touches the bottom. I get my wetsuit off right at the shore. Ariel is there cheering for me and working hard volunteering.
I get on my old pair of shoes and start the long run up. Halfway up I realized I stopped my watch instead of hitting the split button. That is one of my kinks to work out next time! I get that fixed and look up and see that none of the runners including me are following the cones they placed. I scoot over and get in the right spot. Not sure if it really matters but just in case.
I get to my bike and get my gear on. The guy next to me asks if we have to wear our bib number and tell him no because we have numbers on our helmets. He asks me if it's on his helmet since it's already on his head. I tell him he's good to go.
BIKE
Soon I'm off. I hit the stop button again going out and quickly start it and hit the correct button for the split. Oh brother! I am able to get into a comfortable position heading out of the park. I basically did most of today's course last weekend. It's good to know what to expect.
I am moving WAY faster than last weekend! This is fun! There is a guy in green that I'm going back in forth with. I catch up to him on the hills. Up Auburn Folsom, left on Cavitt is smooth thanks to the CHP. I do get caught behind an AT&T truck but it's a nice draft to Laird. (5miles @ 19mph) I pass Suzanne and tell her good job.
Down Laird to Horseshoe Bar is great and fast! I am mostly passing people but I know the younger crowd is coming for me from behind! I am not a fan of riding up Horseshoe Bar but it's not too bad in a race. With the adrenaline and endorphins, the miles click off quicker physically and mentally. I pass Caryn just before turning onto Val Verde. I tell her good job. I'm really impressed with the markings and volunteers on this course. It is clear where to go and the volunteers keep the cars in check well! (Next 5 miles @ 19mph again).
At King is where the climbing kicks in. It's a noticeable change. I see my green friend but he alludes me. There are so many nice things to see along this course. I wonder if the racers notice some of the farm stands we are passing. The faster and younger riders are starting to pass me as we climb up to Powerhouse Road. (Next 5miles @ 15.7mph)
One last big climb on Powerhouse. I see the longhorn cow on the steep part. He'll be sight for sure for folks. Several riders pass me along here like I'm standing still! I make it to the top of the course. Yay! There is our friends the Packheiser's house. I look for them but it's quiet.
Now it's straight down Auburn Folsom. Thankfully Troy did not put on the deep dish wheel in the front which frightens me on this part of Auburn Folsom because it blows me around. He's got it right today. I just have a low spoke wheel that is very stable. I can get going fast since I don't have to constantly come out of my aerobars to stabilize myself! This is so much more pleasant! A woman barrels by me like I’m standing still. She must be an AquaBiker! She's just hammering. (Next 5miles @ 18.8) I feel like I'm flying but more riders are riding so fast by me. It's a bit humbling just like when Dana passed me last weekend.
Last big turn across traffic at Twin Rocks. The CHP are on it and it's no problem! I try to shout my thanks. Up the road the backside of the park. This is a tricky part. Going down the curb and up a gravel road to get back into the park. I struggled with this last week. I think it was more of a mental struggle. The gate is open this time so I don't have to squeeze through a small opening. Yay!
It's super flat in the park. (Last 5 miles@19.9) I can see runners on the trails on my left. It looks like a short out and back section. I push it towards transition. I realize I need to get my feet out of my shoes fast. I haven't done this for SO long. Thankfully I am able to get them out just in time.
I get my bike racked and get my shoes on. A guy is racking his bike across from me and the rack falls down. I run over to help him along with race director Bill Driskol. I finish getting ready and head out.
RUN
Oh boy I'm stiff! It doesn't help that I need the potty. I run out towards the bike entry point. I'm looking for folks I know. I accidentally run past the turn to go back towards transition. Thankfully I correct myself quickly. My legs are feeling a bit better now.
Mile 1 is 9:40. Not bad with a little break built in there. I'd really like to go sub-9min pace overall today instead of the plus-10min pace from last weekend! Once off the trail it's flat for a long section. I try to pick it up and I’m a little disappointed to see just under 9 min pace. Little by little. Lord, help me be content.
I follow the trail over to the boat ramp parking lot from last weekend. Another flat section that's paved so I try to pick it up.
Mile 2 is 8:44. Dave Campbell is on his way back and I see him crossing the road on the trail next to road. I cheer him on. I wonder if Troy is behind him. I cannot see the trail as I move past this spot. As I get to the place where the runners coming back merge the runners going out, I keep looking for Troy. I get confused where to turn once back on the trails. It looks like some racers are going straight up a hill. A guy asks me where we go. A careful inspection shows arrows pointing left. I say left. I don't realize runners are heading back this way and I almost run into an oncoming runner. I apologize.
I see Troy Outman coming back. I tell him good job. I wonder if I see my Troy. If he's already gone by that would mean his heel is doing ok!
Mile 3 is 8:55. I really hope to do sub-9 min pace today. My last "race" here was the virtual half I did 10:10 pace. I start noticing runners with different bib numbers. I realize it is the American River 50 Mile runners! Wow, they are going along at a good clip with the triathletes. I start cheering extra loud for them and tell them to "go get those triathletes". I don’t see Troy! Yay! That means he had a great race!
I see Dana Haldeman coming back. I didn't see her at the start so I wasn't sure if she was here today. She looks strong! I cheer her on. After another 1/2 mile or so I make it to the turn around. Yay! Just got to run to the finish now!
Mile 4 is 8:46. I see the young and fast triathletes coming towards me. I start to see some young men that used to do our track workouts with us. I see Tony Marengo smiling. I see Josh Cagney and then Wyatt Hamilton. My brain is such mush it takes me a moment for their names to pop into my head.
I pass a large group of high school mountain bikers. They start riding behind me. The leader says not to worry about them but to run my race. I still feel compelled to let oncoming runners in the tri that they are behind me. They are very respectful kids and I am impressed.
Mile 5 is 9:06. I've had some good climbs on the way back but I didn't lose too much speed. Time to move! I push hard as I can on these narrow somewhat rocky trails back to the finish. I have the motivation to get it done so it's not too bad. There are a few guys ahead of me that I try to catch before the finish. I catch one and try to get the next guy.
Mile 6 is 8:35. I pass the guy and encourage him to finish strong. I finish and look up to the Lord. Thank you for a great race! Not my fastest but the fastest I've gone all year. Looks like Troy and Anna had a good day too! Thank you Jesus!
