This race was crowded.
I personally did good until about mile 8 - then it was kind of downhill from there.
Between the 75 miles on the bike the day before - waking up with sore legs - I did not expect anything out of this race except a training day. And it was a good tough training day! So, mission accomplished for me!
It was a great course if the crowds had been a bit less.
I too was in pot-o-potty limbo and got off a wave late - Bob got off 2 waves late and Bill was 3 waves back.
Had we been in the correct wave it might have been a little less of a climb over the sea of people.
11078 Lynda Neuman F 55-59
Half Marathon Start: Gun 6:59:45 Chip 7:08:04
Splits: 10 Km Finish O'All Sex Div
Times: 58:51 2:05:45 2809 986 16
Pace: 9:29 9:36
I would do this race again. However - I would be much more attentive to getting in the correct wave start!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Day 2 - Nautica Sprint Triathlon
Day 2 – The Sprint
Well, not sure what idiots felt they needed to talk loudly in the hall from 12:30 am to 2am.......but it put a bit of a dent in the sleep for the race day.
Despite the noise, when I got up I did not feel like I had raced the day before – a good sign!
Got down to the beach about the same time as the day before - but there were a massive amount of people – 1200 for the Olympic and over 3000 for the Sprint plus all the noise that comes along with the celebs – took some time to park.
Another PERFECT morning weather wise. Made our way through the masses and found Barry who was doing a relay. He got to go back into the ocean for day 2 of the waves.
I thought they might be a little calmer – in MY dreams!! They were worst than the day before – in fact – half the pro field missed the buoy and had to swim back so they could go around it.
My wave was one of the last, so I got to walk around and watch everyone including the pros start and come out of the water.
Gun went off – it seemed like it took forever to get out over the waves – they were high!
Got done with the swim – came into transition and there is Barry Spielberg Plaga with a camera – got to my area and there is still Barry Spielberg Plaga with the movie camera!!! Bar – if I look fat in any of those movie pictures – consider this your notice in writing that you do not have permission to publish!!!! I will kill you!!!
Moving along.....after being shouted to by Bar to get my wet suit off faster while being filmed – I was out of transition and on the bike – felt as good as I did the day before – not 1 person passed me in 18 miles – that was a first!
Off the bike and since I was at the far end of transition and it was a LONG area – I stepped aside and took off my bike shoes so I could run to my area.
Got my shoes and felt like I think Sue Owen feels like when she runs – at least she always looks relaxed and in good form! That's right – I do aspire to greater heights in my running- and in my universe – those greater heights have a name! Dr Owen!
Got on the run – did not feel like I had tired legs – or 'raced on the day before legs'. Was doing great. Had my metronome on both days – which really helped keep me focused and on my pace.
The last mile – Mackel appreared out of nowhere on his bike, in the parking lot shouting words of what I needed to be concentrating on! I was on a roll and having Steve ride in and out of the parking lots as I was coming down the home stretch was the best of all worlds!
Finished: Swim - 23:45 Bike - 57:21 Run - 36:57
Second in Age Group!
All in all, this was a great weekend! Why would you want to do 2 races in one weekend? Because you "think" you can. Why do I push myself to do weekends like this? Because I grew up in this sport under Rich Strauss. He taught me to survive when I did not think I could.
You never questioned Coach Rich - you just did what he said - I did not know any better. But he did not care what I thought I could do - or if I complained. He had no tolerance for "I can't".
Because of Strauss, I can do things I never thought possible. I sign up for things knowing that no matter what, I have no choice but to get to the end. He made me strong and he made me unreasonable.
I would never be where I am today with out him.
Well, not sure what idiots felt they needed to talk loudly in the hall from 12:30 am to 2am.......but it put a bit of a dent in the sleep for the race day.
Despite the noise, when I got up I did not feel like I had raced the day before – a good sign!
Got down to the beach about the same time as the day before - but there were a massive amount of people – 1200 for the Olympic and over 3000 for the Sprint plus all the noise that comes along with the celebs – took some time to park.
Another PERFECT morning weather wise. Made our way through the masses and found Barry who was doing a relay. He got to go back into the ocean for day 2 of the waves.
I thought they might be a little calmer – in MY dreams!! They were worst than the day before – in fact – half the pro field missed the buoy and had to swim back so they could go around it.
My wave was one of the last, so I got to walk around and watch everyone including the pros start and come out of the water.
Gun went off – it seemed like it took forever to get out over the waves – they were high!
Got done with the swim – came into transition and there is Barry Spielberg Plaga with a camera – got to my area and there is still Barry Spielberg Plaga with the movie camera!!! Bar – if I look fat in any of those movie pictures – consider this your notice in writing that you do not have permission to publish!!!! I will kill you!!!
Moving along.....after being shouted to by Bar to get my wet suit off faster while being filmed – I was out of transition and on the bike – felt as good as I did the day before – not 1 person passed me in 18 miles – that was a first!
Off the bike and since I was at the far end of transition and it was a LONG area – I stepped aside and took off my bike shoes so I could run to my area.
Got my shoes and felt like I think Sue Owen feels like when she runs – at least she always looks relaxed and in good form! That's right – I do aspire to greater heights in my running- and in my universe – those greater heights have a name! Dr Owen!
Got on the run – did not feel like I had tired legs – or 'raced on the day before legs'. Was doing great. Had my metronome on both days – which really helped keep me focused and on my pace.
The last mile – Mackel appreared out of nowhere on his bike, in the parking lot shouting words of what I needed to be concentrating on! I was on a roll and having Steve ride in and out of the parking lots as I was coming down the home stretch was the best of all worlds!
Finished: Swim - 23:45 Bike - 57:21 Run - 36:57
Second in Age Group!
All in all, this was a great weekend! Why would you want to do 2 races in one weekend? Because you "think" you can. Why do I push myself to do weekends like this? Because I grew up in this sport under Rich Strauss. He taught me to survive when I did not think I could.
You never questioned Coach Rich - you just did what he said - I did not know any better. But he did not care what I thought I could do - or if I complained. He had no tolerance for "I can't".
Because of Strauss, I can do things I never thought possible. I sign up for things knowing that no matter what, I have no choice but to get to the end. He made me strong and he made me unreasonable.
I would never be where I am today with out him.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Day One – Nautica Olympic
Day One – Olympic
Perfect morning. Overcast – no wind, about 70 degrees at 5 am or at least it felt like that.
Barry and Bob arrived about 5 minutes after we did so we were all able to walk in together – ah the magic of finding each other in the dark!
Transition was easy and we saw a bunch of other PTCers (Pasadena Tri Club) which was way cool. Transition closed at 6:30AM sharp and they are pretty definite about the area being closed. The national anthem was sung by our own fellow PTCer Kristin - what a voice ! That was a treat to start off the race.
The waves last year were a non-issue. This year they were not that at all! In fact the waves going out were big and the swim was rough once you out there.
As an aside---I had an ocean swim in Manhattan Beach the week before that was so bad I had to have a surfer help me in – it was not a good day for me – followed by an equally disastrous 2 hour run.. The swim did raise my level of confront and ability to deal with the ocean to new heights however – so when I saw the waves in Malibu – it really did not even phase me – that was nice!
Got done with the swim – into transition - got on the bike and I felt like I was on fire. I have never been in a race where I felt that strong and ready to roll. The bike was a lot of passing people and moving on down the line!
Off the bike and onto the run. My legs did not hurt or need any time to adjust to getting on the run. The 6 miles just moved along.
I will have to say that I have been training with Steve Mackel once a week for about 4 months – what a difference that has made for me. I have never got off my bike and just rolled through a 6 mi run and ended up with a 9:14 pace – just does not happen! THANKS Steve!!!!!!
Time – 3:00:57 Swim - 38:38 Bike - 1:18:14 Run - 57:05
Second in Age Group!
Piper and I meet up – went back to the hotel – trying to have a total rest day for the remainder of the day............went to dinner – at 3:45 at a great Italian Restaurant across the street – we drove the car across the street – hey – we were trying to rest!! Got up from dinner after 2 hours and could barely walk out of the restaurant. The waiters knew we were racing the next day and had some concerns about our fitness...........silly men!!!
They had also had people in the restaurant from all over, including Australia for the race – they asked where we were from..............they were not too impressed when we said – Glendale California!!!
Perfect morning. Overcast – no wind, about 70 degrees at 5 am or at least it felt like that.
Barry and Bob arrived about 5 minutes after we did so we were all able to walk in together – ah the magic of finding each other in the dark!
Transition was easy and we saw a bunch of other PTCers (Pasadena Tri Club) which was way cool. Transition closed at 6:30AM sharp and they are pretty definite about the area being closed. The national anthem was sung by our own fellow PTCer Kristin - what a voice ! That was a treat to start off the race.
The waves last year were a non-issue. This year they were not that at all! In fact the waves going out were big and the swim was rough once you out there.
As an aside---I had an ocean swim in Manhattan Beach the week before that was so bad I had to have a surfer help me in – it was not a good day for me – followed by an equally disastrous 2 hour run.. The swim did raise my level of confront and ability to deal with the ocean to new heights however – so when I saw the waves in Malibu – it really did not even phase me – that was nice!
Got done with the swim – into transition - got on the bike and I felt like I was on fire. I have never been in a race where I felt that strong and ready to roll. The bike was a lot of passing people and moving on down the line!
Off the bike and onto the run. My legs did not hurt or need any time to adjust to getting on the run. The 6 miles just moved along.
I will have to say that I have been training with Steve Mackel once a week for about 4 months – what a difference that has made for me. I have never got off my bike and just rolled through a 6 mi run and ended up with a 9:14 pace – just does not happen! THANKS Steve!!!!!!
Time – 3:00:57 Swim - 38:38 Bike - 1:18:14 Run - 57:05
Second in Age Group!
Piper and I meet up – went back to the hotel – trying to have a total rest day for the remainder of the day.........
They had also had people in the restaurant from all over, including Australia for the race – they asked where we were from........
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Nautica Malibu Triathlons
Last year David Piper, Sue Owen and I did Heartbreak Ridge Half Marathon and the next day we did the Malibu Sprint Triathlon. That was challenging.
Somewhere after that – in a moment of great ideas, someone came up with the idea of – why not do the Malibu races back to back? Seemed reasonable. I like the Nautica Races - they are very well supported and set up. Check it out: Nautica Malibu Triathlon
So this year, Piper and I registered for both – booked a hotel in Calabassas so we could get a good night sleep Friday and Sat and not have to drive far to the race in the morning.
Individual Race Reports coming - very soon!
Somewhere after that – in a moment of great ideas, someone came up with the idea of – why not do the Malibu races back to back? Seemed reasonable. I like the Nautica Races - they are very well supported and set up. Check it out: Nautica Malibu Triathlon
So this year, Piper and I registered for both – booked a hotel in Calabassas so we could get a good night sleep Friday and Sat and not have to drive far to the race in the morning.
Individual Race Reports coming - very soon!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Bill's Auburn Duathlon Report Part 1
Thought I would post my husband's Auburn race report. Tells the story from a different angle.
After my stellar 16th place age group finish in the short course duathlon national championships at Richmond, I was looking forward to a race which suited me a bit better; the long course duathlon national championships. I'm much more an endurance animal than a raw speed animal.
A word of explanation; under USAT rules, short course duathlon is the Olympic or international distance (with no drafting), and tends to favor (really) fast runners. The format for short course this year was a 10k run, a 40k bike leg, and a final 5k run to end it off. The long course is very similar to a half-Ironman race, and was run concurrently with the half-Ironman race at Auburn. The distances were a 3k run, 56-mile bike, and a half-marathon.
I had entertained some (apparently imaginary) thoughts that I might be competitive at the short-course distance. While the outcome wasn't horrible (there was only about 3 minutes separating 7th place from 16th), it wasn't great. The good news is that I got the last roll-down spot for Team USA at the short-course world championships later this year, which Lynda and I will both be attending.
As regards to this race, it lived up to its billing as World's Toughest (actually tough-tough-tough), but my (unofficial) time of 5:48 for the half-iron distance was good enough for 2nd place in the national championship for my age group (55-59 years). I ended up about 4 minutes short of winning. So, I was pretty happy. I not only scored my first national-level podium, I also scored $750 in contingency money from Hammer Nutrition in exchange for wearing their kit while finishing second in an age-group national championship (with, I hasten to add, my PTC hat firmly clamped upon my head).
As regards the course itself, you may have heard some description or talk about it before. My race started with a brisk 3k run, taking a little over 13 minutes, before going to the bike. This footrace was about half on paved road, and about half on mildly-rutted single track. I treated it as a warm-up.
The bike course was designed to sap the strength from your legs with about 6,000 feet of climbing over the 56 miles. For the most part, there wasn't much in the way of any long or sustained climbs; overall the course gained about 2,000 feet of altitude over the first 35 miles, and gave back about 1,000 over the last 21 miles. Yep – it ended up about 1,000 feet higher than it started. The course was mostly a climb, followed by a descent, followed by a higher climb, etc. The roads were mostly lightly-trafficked, a good thing since they weren't closed. Some of them were also rough (ouch). Some of the climbs were steep; there were a couple of 12%ers in there.
This was followed by the run leg, which takes my vote as the most miserable, difficult half-marathon I have EVER run by a wide margin. It wasn't so much that it gained and lost a lot of altitude over 13.1 miles (roughly 2,600 feet, according to the race web site), but it was because much of this distance was on a wide variety of crummy surfaces. I ran not-inconsiderable distances on loose sand, loose gravel, and horrible deeply rutted rocky single-track, some of which was almost impassable due to erosion; some of which was very steep, and some of which was sloping down to, and bordered by, steep drop offs. Some of the steep descent sections slowed me to a walk simply for safety purposes.
So – the course was tough. You've heard that already.
So ends my first race in Auburn. It was tough, but rewarding. It's possible that, had I done everything right (and not crashed three weeks before the race, missing an important week of training), I might have done better. But, as mentioned before, I'm happy with my first national championship podium and the financial rewards (thanks, Hammer!).
Now, I really have something to train for next year.
Auburn Long Course Duathlon
National Championships
National Championships
After my stellar 16th place age group finish in the short course duathlon national championships at Richmond, I was looking forward to a race which suited me a bit better; the long course duathlon national championships. I'm much more an endurance animal than a raw speed animal.
A word of explanation; under USAT rules, short course duathlon is the Olympic or international distance (with no drafting), and tends to favor (really) fast runners. The format for short course this year was a 10k run, a 40k bike leg, and a final 5k run to end it off. The long course is very similar to a half-Ironman race, and was run concurrently with the half-Ironman race at Auburn. The distances were a 3k run, 56-mile bike, and a half-marathon.
I had entertained some (apparently imaginary) thoughts that I might be competitive at the short-course distance. While the outcome wasn't horrible (there was only about 3 minutes separating 7th place from 16th), it wasn't great. The good news is that I got the last roll-down spot for Team USA at the short-course world championships later this year, which Lynda and I will both be attending.
As regards to this race, it lived up to its billing as World's Toughest (actually tough-tough-tough), but my (unofficial) time of 5:48 for the half-iron distance was good enough for 2nd place in the national championship for my age group (55-59 years). I ended up about 4 minutes short of winning. So, I was pretty happy. I not only scored my first national-level podium, I also scored $750 in contingency money from Hammer Nutrition in exchange for wearing their kit while finishing second in an age-group national championship (with, I hasten to add, my PTC hat firmly clamped upon my head).
As regards the course itself, you may have heard some description or talk about it before. My race started with a brisk 3k run, taking a little over 13 minutes, before going to the bike. This footrace was about half on paved road, and about half on mildly-rutted single track. I treated it as a warm-up.
The bike course was designed to sap the strength from your legs with about 6,000 feet of climbing over the 56 miles. For the most part, there wasn't much in the way of any long or sustained climbs; overall the course gained about 2,000 feet of altitude over the first 35 miles, and gave back about 1,000 over the last 21 miles. Yep – it ended up about 1,000 feet higher than it started. The course was mostly a climb, followed by a descent, followed by a higher climb, etc. The roads were mostly lightly-trafficked, a good thing since they weren't closed. Some of them were also rough (ouch). Some of the climbs were steep; there were a couple of 12%ers in there.
This was followed by the run leg, which takes my vote as the most miserable, difficult half-marathon I have EVER run by a wide margin. It wasn't so much that it gained and lost a lot of altitude over 13.1 miles (roughly 2,600 feet, according to the race web site), but it was because much of this distance was on a wide variety of crummy surfaces. I ran not-inconsiderable distances on loose sand, loose gravel, and horrible deeply rutted rocky single-track, some of which was almost impassable due to erosion; some of which was very steep, and some of which was sloping down to, and bordered by, steep drop offs. Some of the steep descent sections slowed me to a walk simply for safety purposes.
So – the course was tough. You've heard that already.
So ends my first race in Auburn. It was tough, but rewarding. It's possible that, had I done everything right (and not crashed three weeks before the race, missing an important week of training), I might have done better. But, as mentioned before, I'm happy with my first national championship podium and the financial rewards (thanks, Hammer!).
Now, I really have something to train for next year.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Auburn Triathlon - Part 2
Before I let you know about the race here are some terms used:
The swim started at 6:35 AM for me. The water was about 74 degrees – perfect swim water and the lake was calm.
So about 4 hours and 15 minutes into the “DAY OFF” here in Auburn – I completed the ride. There was nothing particularly grueling on the ride – just a bunch of climbing in the rolling hills of Auburn and beyond.
Off the bike and onto the run. NO – this was NOT a road course with nice FLAT payment where one can run until the cows come home and just worry about getting ‘er done!
This was... start off with a flat, narrow, rock filled trail for 1.5 miles. But, that was OK. Then come out of the woods and go up a hill, on payment, and into a neighborhood and back around a school with yet more off road. Then go back and go down the hill and get onto some god-forsaken road that goes to a dead end, somewhere…but I see people coming back up so it means ALL downhill…………..to nowhere, only to come back up. After coming back up – I hit mile 5.
But – that was OK.
Then we run to the start-finish line and get to turn around about 50 yards from the finish and do it again. Did the narrow trail run with rocks – again – and came out of that and I think it was 7 miles.
I was doing more walking than I wanted to – I was hot – my legs were like lead – no matter if I walked or ran - EVERYTHING hurt ......and I had to go to the bathroom --- but that was OK – I was on the second loop! Life was just a hair above dismal!
After almost face planting on one of the trails – I found the bathroom! – life was good – then started up the hill to the school again. I should say WALKED up the hill to the school.
Then came back down and there was this special little loop – 1. 2 miles that we got to do to get the run to the full 13.1 distance. The loop started out in open fields – nice dirt – heard rustling in the grass – looked over and a deer was pacing me (that was a JOKE!)
Then the run through the field morphed into the rock trail from hell that was about 6 inches wide with steep drops off. In more or less words…………this was not a run at this point – it was a lesson in survival!
But that was OK – because when I came out of the woods I only had 3.1 agonizing miles to somehow manage to get through. We have all been on training runs – 3.1 mile even after a brick is pretty doable.
I thought before the race – 50 minutes on the swim – 4 hours on the bike – 2.30 on the run.
As the day deteriorated.................................
– and I looked at my watch – I was at mile 4 and my watch was around 6 plus hours, I started to “rethink” what I could do. And the “rethinking’ gave me much opportunity to get my mind off how shelled I was and how I was starting to look at a time that was even greater than my first half ironman – 9 half ironmans ago!
OK – I finally had a time I thought I could do – come in UNDER 8 hours. I was about a mile from the finish – yes there was a big hill in the way – but my watch said I had 18 minutes to do it in.
That should say ALL you need to know about what was happening in my race.
18 minutes. One mile.
Finished – approx 8:04 O U C H !!!!!
Came in second in my age group – got a plaque and a medal.
So, do you want to know what I think about the Worlds Toughest Half?
I got my butt kicked today.
I WILL come back and beat this course. AND…..I will be bringing my friends!
You can not end a race getting your butt kicked – if you do then you need to come back and return the flow!
So the above is my story....................will look forward to next year when it is just not me, Bill, Luis and Neil who have braved this race and lived to tell about it!
And for those of you who have done it before -- at least you will know what we will all be needing to train for!
- T1 - transition 1 - this is where you come out of the water, get on your bike soaking wet and ride for 56 miles
- T-2 - transition 2 - you get done with your ride and come into the transition area, rack the bike, get your running shoes on and take off for a half marathon on tired legs
The swim started at 6:35 AM for me. The water was about 74 degrees – perfect swim water and the lake was calm.
So about 4 hours and 15 minutes into the “DAY OFF” here in Auburn – I completed the ride. There was nothing particularly grueling on the ride – just a bunch of climbing in the rolling hills of Auburn and beyond.
Off the bike and onto the run. NO – this was NOT a road course with nice FLAT payment where one can run until the cows come home and just worry about getting ‘er done!
This was... start off with a flat, narrow, rock filled trail for 1.5 miles. But, that was OK. Then come out of the woods and go up a hill, on payment, and into a neighborhood and back around a school with yet more off road. Then go back and go down the hill and get onto some god-forsaken road that goes to a dead end, somewhere…but I see people coming back up so it means ALL downhill…………..to nowhere, only to come back up. After coming back up – I hit mile 5.
But – that was OK.
Then we run to the start-finish line and get to turn around about 50 yards from the finish and do it again. Did the narrow trail run with rocks – again – and came out of that and I think it was 7 miles.
I was doing more walking than I wanted to – I was hot – my legs were like lead – no matter if I walked or ran - EVERYTHING hurt ......and I had to go to the bathroom --- but that was OK – I was on the second loop! Life was just a hair above dismal!
After almost face planting on one of the trails – I found the bathroom! – life was good – then started up the hill to the school again. I should say WALKED up the hill to the school.
Then came back down and there was this special little loop – 1. 2 miles that we got to do to get the run to the full 13.1 distance. The loop started out in open fields – nice dirt – heard rustling in the grass – looked over and a deer was pacing me (that was a JOKE!)
Then the run through the field morphed into the rock trail from hell that was about 6 inches wide with steep drops off. In more or less words…………this was not a run at this point – it was a lesson in survival!
But that was OK – because when I came out of the woods I only had 3.1 agonizing miles to somehow manage to get through. We have all been on training runs – 3.1 mile even after a brick is pretty doable.
I thought before the race – 50 minutes on the swim – 4 hours on the bike – 2.30 on the run.
As the day deteriorated.................................
– and I looked at my watch – I was at mile 4 and my watch was around 6 plus hours, I started to “rethink” what I could do. And the “rethinking’ gave me much opportunity to get my mind off how shelled I was and how I was starting to look at a time that was even greater than my first half ironman – 9 half ironmans ago!
OK – I finally had a time I thought I could do – come in UNDER 8 hours. I was about a mile from the finish – yes there was a big hill in the way – but my watch said I had 18 minutes to do it in.
That should say ALL you need to know about what was happening in my race.
18 minutes. One mile.
Finished – approx 8:04 O U C H !!!!!
Came in second in my age group – got a plaque and a medal.
So, do you want to know what I think about the Worlds Toughest Half?
I got my butt kicked today.
I WILL come back and beat this course. AND…..I will be bringing my friends!
You can not end a race getting your butt kicked – if you do then you need to come back and return the flow!
So the above is my story....................will look forward to next year when it is just not me, Bill, Luis and Neil who have braved this race and lived to tell about it!
And for those of you who have done it before -- at least you will know what we will all be needing to train for!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Auburn Triathlon - World's Toughest Half
I ended up doing this race because Bill, my husband, wanted to do the Long Course Duathlon (basically Half Iron with 3K run put where the swim would be)
I know “others” had said it was hard. Really hard. But I have also done St Croix 3 times and St Croix is suppose to be the hardest half “Ironman”
This race was a USA Triathlon race. You can visit their website at Auburn Triathlon.
The 1.2-mile swim is in Folsom Lake at Rattlesnake Bar Park.
The bike was suppose to be 6,000 ft of climbing with the last 10 miles of down hill... Hey – after Dr. Susan Owen got us to do the King of the Mountain series,
So – what is 56 miles and 6,000 feet of climbing……..almost…….a DAY OFF!
Before going into the “disaster” aka the “run” (more on this in a bit) -- I will admit that I did have some concerns. In January I fractured my foot – so when the Oceanside half Ironman came along, I had run 2 hours in 2 months – but that was OK and the half marathon part of the Half Ironman in Oceanside was doable.
Then in April I started easing back into running. About 3 weeks ago, May 7th, the pavement had a rather harsh encounter with both of my knees (don’t ask – I have already been ridiculed to the very depths of the sea for being so dumb...that’s OK – it was well deserved!)
So, I go into this race with tons of bike fitness – 100 mile ride last Saturday (which I treated like a race rehearsal) – 25 miles on the Tour of Glendale with Pasadena Tri Club and the next day an 8 mile run to JPL.
UGH…..yeah, I am not entirely stupid………..I was pretty sure that my recovery time was on the bleeding edge of being sufficient for this race.
I know “others” had said it was hard. Really hard. But I have also done St Croix 3 times and St Croix is suppose to be the hardest half “Ironman”
This race was a USA Triathlon race. You can visit their website at Auburn Triathlon.
The 1.2-mile swim is in Folsom Lake at Rattlesnake Bar Park.
The bike was suppose to be 6,000 ft of climbing with the last 10 miles of down hill... Hey – after Dr. Susan Owen got us to do the King of the Mountain series,
- Mullholland: 4-11-09…… 100 miles – 12,000 ft of climbing
- Breathless Agony: 5-2-09….114 miles – 12,000 ft of climbing (in the first 74 miles)
- Heartbreak Hundred: 5-23-09…..– 100 miles – only 8500 feet of climbing
- Day 1 - 80 mile ride to Long Beach
- Day 2 - 50 miles of hills followed by a mile swim in the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center *immediately* after you get off the bike
- Day 3 - 9.5 mile run from the Rose Bowl beyond JPL in the hills
So – what is 56 miles and 6,000 feet of climbing……..almost…….a DAY OFF!
Before going into the “disaster” aka the “run” (more on this in a bit) -- I will admit that I did have some concerns. In January I fractured my foot – so when the Oceanside half Ironman came along, I had run 2 hours in 2 months – but that was OK and the half marathon part of the Half Ironman in Oceanside was doable.
Then in April I started easing back into running. About 3 weeks ago, May 7th, the pavement had a rather harsh encounter with both of my knees (don’t ask – I have already been ridiculed to the very depths of the sea for being so dumb...that’s OK – it was well deserved!)
So, I go into this race with tons of bike fitness – 100 mile ride last Saturday (which I treated like a race rehearsal) – 25 miles on the Tour of Glendale with Pasadena Tri Club and the next day an 8 mile run to JPL.
UGH…..yeah, I am not entirely stupid………..I was pretty sure that my recovery time was on the bleeding edge of being sufficient for this race.
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