A torrential downpour and high winds on Friday night did not forebode well for my race early the next morning. The rain and winds battering our freshly painted house woke me up a few times during the night — or maybe it was my usual pre-race jitters. But I made it through the night and woke up with time enough to choke down a high-carb breakfast, then catch another 45 minutes of sleep before I had to drive out to St. Edwards State Park north of Kirkland.
I was headed to the Fat Tire Triathlon, sponsored by Speedy Reedy — Seattle’s self-proclaimed “pure triathlon store”. It was my second triathlon — my first being over over a year ago — and my first race of any kind since I gave up racing early this spring due to a slew of daycare-borne illnesses. Driving across the 520 bridge to the race didn’t help my jitters much, as I witnessed the still gusty wind churning up 3’ to 5’ waves on Lake Washington.
But I continued on, determined to at least give it my best shot and complete the race — which I guess was more than some participants were willing to do as about half of those who signed up for the race never showed up Saturday morning!
To my, and I think just about every other racer’s relief, the 1/4 mile swim leg was cancelled at the last minute due to the choppy water. The race officials were concerned not only for the safety of the swimmers, but also for the spotters in kayaks who would have a hell of time attempting to rescue all of the drowning swimmers.
So the race started down at the water’s edge, as if we had just survived the swim. We began in starting waves of 5-10 racers, with a 0.6 mile run… 300 feet uphill! Nothing like pegging my heart rate right from the start. I jogged about halfway up, then walked a couple minutes, then forced myself to run the rest of the hill. At the bike transition, I took my sweet time. There was no point in trying to cover up my lack of adequate training by pulling off a speedy transition, so I sat down, toweled off, changed into my bike shoes, gulped down gatorade, rested a little bit more, then took off on the bike.
The 10 mile mountain bike course (2 - 5 mile laps) took place mostly at the top of the plateau and consisted of smooth, hard-packed singletrack with the occasional tight turn, rooty spots and mud bogs brought on by Friday’s rain. A very fast, moderately technical course. The uphill entry run and the staggered starts spread everyone out pretty evenly, so I enjoyed almost the entire bike course without having to pass or be passed. At times I was alone for so long that I got to wondering if I had strayed off course. But I breezed through the course without incident.
My heart rate was a lot more under control during the bike leg, so I was a little quicker at the transition to the run. The course was a 4-mile trail run and contained my nemesis — big, big hills. It started with a 1/2 mile flat run into the trees, but then started a steep descent, 300 feet back down to Lake Washington. I let gravity propel me for this portion, then kept my usual running pace for about 3/4 of a mile along the water’s edge. Then… since we were denied one element of the triathlon, I thought I’d replace the swim with another favorite sport… WALKING! The trail turned uphill again, 300 feet back up to the starting area, then another 1/2 mile on the plateau, then another bone-jarring 300 foot descent back down to the water — which again had me utilizing my friend: gravity. Another short run along the water’s edge followed by a veritable WALL for the final ascent back up to the plateau. I would later hear from fellow athletes that most likely, not a single person had the get-up-and-go to get up and go (run) up that last hill. So I dragged myself uphill, saving my last bit of power to run the final mile to the finish line.
No results have been posted as of yet, but I do know that 1) I did not win and 2) I did satisfy my ultimate objective — to finish!
After the race, I gulped down 3 salmon sandwiches, chips, grapes about half a dozen cookies, and two Fat Tire Ales (all provided by the race organizers and sponsors), and even managed to win my first-ever post-race raffle prize — an Ironman Wetsuits T-shirt! But I guess my odds were greatly improved because of all the people that never showed up.
Posted by jason at September 13, 2004 1:55 PMmy god man, give yourself a fighting chance and take the baby seat off the bars next time out. that has to be worth a good 40-45 seconds off the lap time just due to wind drag!!! glad to hear you took the steed and pride all home in one piece though!
Posted by: philip heelan at September 13, 2004 2:09 PMso it sounds like it was originally a quadrathlon: swim, run, bike, run. What's up with having to run up a huge hill from the swim to the transition area? Congrats on finishing, anyway. Now when the fuck can I have my ice screws back?
Posted by: johnny methane at September 13, 2004 4:26 PMi meant to ask reed about the extra run, but my best guess is that there was no room down by the water to have a transition area full of bikes (that area is heavily wooded). plus i don't think there is a trail by the water that's open to mountain bikes.
if you had shown up at the race to cheer me on, you could have had your goddamn ice screws on saturday, ya hosebag. but in any case, i still have to buy an extra one to replace the one i dropped in the crevasse.
Posted by: no meato burrito at September 13, 2004 4:34 PMmaybe smelling the fresh paint on your house had a little to do with walking, instead of running. next time speed up a little and smell the roses!
Posted by: dad at September 13, 2004 4:49 PMAs mad as it sounds, still seemed like a sweet time! Great to hear you still going at it. I'm jealous!
Posted by: Bert Adams at September 20, 2004 2:15 PM