California** Half Ironman 70.3**
March 29, 2008
Oceanside**, CA******
On Saturday March 29, 2008 I participated in California Half Ironman 70.3. The race took place in Oceanside, CA. For this race I was part of the Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF) Team Operation Rebound, which was an effort to raise money for injured troops so they could live a normal life and participate in events like this. The funds would help them purchase equipment and necessary assistance to compete in events like this. The day before the race I went to a Team Operation Rebound luncheon. At the luncheon I met the injured soldiers that were competing and other challenged athletes, it was inspiring to see how positive they were. It was even more inspiring when they passed me during the race! This cause gave me a lot of inspiration to start and finish the race. Through the help of friends and family I raised $2,400 and the team raised over $160,000. It was especially important for me to be on this team because we were racing on the Camp Pendleton Marine base and I wanted to show my support to our troops. If I ever get into the Hawaii Ironman I hope to join the team again, so be prepared for more pestering!
The Race
I got to Southern California on the Wednesday before the Saturday race and hung out with my great friend John McNally in Palm Desert and Corona Del Mar. I got to chill at the pool, hang with his family, it was a good time to mellow out before the race. I can’t say I was too excited about the race, I kept thinking about the cold water, the hills on the bike, and my lack of training. My winter training did not go as planned because of lingering injuries, weather, and travel. I know, excuses, excuses. Regardless, I was going to do it and enjoy it, especially after being inspired at the CAF luncheon.
Swim 1.2 miles
The swim took place in Oceanside Harbor. I was worried about the water temp being 58, but it wasn’t too bad with a full wetsuit and a neoprene swim cap. I was a bit confused at the swim start, so I missed the start by about 100 meters and had some catching up to do. It was fairly uneventful swim, no shark bites, I tried to keep a nice easy pace to save energy for the rest of the race. My goggles were fogged up so I bumped into lots of other swimmers, a lifeguard on a surfboard (Ouch!), and went off course a couple of times. The thing about triathlons is that there are really three finishes, the best finish of course is THE Finish at the end of the race, but I think a close second for most is the swim finish. I was happy to be done with the swim, it was slow but effective. Swim time 38 mins
Bike 56 miles
I typically like to get on the bike and look forward to passing lots of people, but I knew that wouldn’t be the case today because of my lack of fitness, the course, and the competition. I haven’t seen the bike course before but I heard it was tough. I started out slowly so I could save some energy for the big hills. I was passed A LOT, I was more of a cheerleader than a competitor, I cheered on everyone who passed, I also tried to thank as many Marines as possible. My friend Tom Phillips who was in the Marine Corp gave me some Marine Corp stickers, the Marines seem psyched when then saw them on my helmet. Early during my ride some of the injured soldiers passed me, I was impressed, nothing was slowing them down. Most of the bike was through Camp Pendleton, because of the recent rains the green mountains made it a very scenic ride.
It was smooth riding for the first 30 miles, not too many hills, not too much wind, I felt ok and then………THE FIRST HILL! I know I was warned, but It was by far the hardest climb I have every done, on a scale of 1-10, it was an 11! I knew I was in trouble when everyone in front of me was standing on their pedals trying to inch up the endless hill that went on and on and on!! I started up nice and slow, I was passed by lots of riders, the only people I passed were those that were forced to walk their bikes up the hill. About half way I started laughing hysterically about how hard this hill was, it was insane. I eventually made it up the hill, and realized that what goes up must go down, YEEEEHAAAWW! The other two notable hills were tough but not as bad as the first hill, but they were still more difficult than anything I have seen in the Midwest. The rest of the bike went well, I actually passed some people that must of went too hard on the hills. I kept a good pace until about mile 50 of 56 where I started to fade a little. I saw my friend John McNally near the end of the bike, it is always great to see friends and family at a race! Bike time 3hr 9min
Run 13.1 miles
My two goals for the day were to finish and to run all of the run. Actually there was a third goal, but drinking all of John’s beer after the race is usually frowned upon?J I parked my bike and changed into my running shoes and Cubs visor and started to run the required 13.1 miles to meet my goals. Going from the bike to run usually takes a little while for your body to adjust, luckily mine adjusted quickly because the first couple of steps where very painful! The 1st couple of miles went well, I think the cheering crowds helped me get moving. Around mile two I started to slow down, I kept trying to speed up but it didn’t stick. It was a nice run along the boardwalk of Oceanside beach, there where lots of spectators and great volunteers. There where a couple of little hills when the course took you away from the beach. It was a two lap run, after lap one I was already exhausted, and I think John or anyone else who saw me would agree. I saw my friend Joe Nedoss from Chicago on the run course, he would eventually catch and pass me, he had a good race. I kept on running, I only walked while getting liquids and food at the aid stations. It got warmer, so I kept put cold sponges on my neck and pouring water over my head. Miles 7-10 were ok, I just kept moving, I tried speeding up a couple times but I would eventually slow down again. By about mile 11 I was really, really worn out, I was wondering if I was going to make it to the finish? I kept pouring water over my head to keep me cool and keep me moving. Eventually I made it to the finishing chute, sprinted to the end and I was done. I must of looked bad, one of the medics ran up to me to check if I needed any medical help, I told him just mental help. 2hr 26min Total Time 6hr 26min
Even though I was unprepared and slow (It took an hour longer than my previous worse half Ironman!) it was still a fun race and a good learning experience. I would like to go back some day to redeem myself. It was a good, challenging, and scenic course. Now its back to serious training and dieting so I could break 5hrs at my next half ironman this summer.
Thank You!!!
To Sheila, Sidney, and Jack for letting me do these races!!! Thanks to all of those who helped me raise money for Operation Rebound!