I just got home from the Long Beach Triathlon. What a fun little course. Everything was flat, the swim (no waves - in a harbor), the bike (just a couple of small bridges), and the run. I got fourth in my AG (45-49) with a last quarter-mile all out effort to beat 5th place.
I was wondering if anyone experienced what I did: The bike was a fast two loop course. I held 28 MPH on Shoreline Drive! But the return to transition wasn’t well marked and I missed it. Had to turn around, go against traffic (yikes!) and then enter. I lost probably close to a minute. Third place beat me by 30 seconds.
Also, exiting T1 became a huge bottleneck. I’m pretty sure I was first out of the swim and first to exit, but I got hung up there for maybe 20 seconds. I talked to one of the exit workers afterwards about it. He said there were a couple of times that it bottlenecked up, but they didn’t last long. So, my great swim was negated somewhat by a narrow exit gate and too many people at the same time.
I guess I’ll email PacificSportsLLC, I’m sure they’d want to improve it for next year. And, I’ll do it without bitterness - keep a positive slant to it.
This was the second year my son and I have done this race. I would say there was definitely a BIG improvement in the bike leg course. Both sides of the street open gave more room to manuever and having two longer laps instead of three smaller ones spread the field out more. Had a good time, we both improved alot over last year. Like Half Speed says, a nice little race and that’s what will probably keep us coming back. I particularly like being in the last wave. Not many people passing you through the whole race! Good to see you again Steve. Maybe we’ll run into each other at another event down the road.
Neil
Hey Neil,
I actually wanted to run into you again, post race, and catch up. I looked around - no where to be found. I thought I’d be hanging around for a medal until I saw my fourth place finish, so I decided I could get home in time to have breakfast with the kids (Stephanie-11, Sean-8 I started parenting late!)
Did you see the bike crash? I was on the other side of the bridge, heading toward the Queen Mary when it happened. The guy looked like he slammed his front brake and went over. I saw his helmet come off or split and he was upside down, body in the air as he slid on his head for 20 feet. He then rolled over face down and didn’t move. I hit about 35 MPH in that same section, a bit nervous, I might add.
Anyway, good to see all that training in high school didn’t go to waste and you’re still motoring along. Good job! Are you in touch with anyone else from those olden days?
I’m sure your finish was quite a bit in front of mine and not just because of the 3 minute head start your wave had. After I came down the finish chute and drank some water we decided to hit the road and get some breakfast, too. My oldest granddaughter was along and it was time to get her something to eat. I saw the aftermath of the crash, looked pretty bad, maybe three people involved? Paramedics were taking care of them.
Brian and I were thinking of ending the season either at the Dannon DU or the Desert Sprint Tri in November. Let us know if you are headed to either one. Sorry we missed you today.
Neil
Possibly Desert. I may be “retired” until next season.