PRE-RACE
Well, if there were ever a more last-minute decision to race, I’d like to know about it. I was toiling over spending the money and time to do the Tinsel Tri. I’ve already spent enough $$ racing/traveling this year and figured I’d pass, but…I did sell a few things on eBay (rationalizing). Anyway, the night before, I decided that with the solid surf we have right now, I’d get up in the morning, throw everything in the car- surfboard, bodyboard, tri bike, etc. and check the surf at 6am. If it was no good, I’d do the tri. Well, we had a front push through last night and the onshore wind was howling, so the decision was easy. I drove the 70 miles over to Hemet. I made a few wrong turns, but eventually found the school. Thought I’d remember from last year, but no.
Remembering the crowds of last year, I racked first, and THEN registered. I was scrambling a little as I had arrived a little late and had to run back to the car to get my goggles, run to the bathroom…whoops, forgot my t-shirt…stand in line for that, etc. Finally, race time.
THE RUN
This is a reverse tri with the swim last. I had warmed up a bit by running to my car and back…probably 1/4 mile and felt warmed up. I had forgotten my race belt, so I pinned my number on a loose-fitting shirt and pulled that over my long-sleeve jersey so I could whip it off quickly in T1. The RD was making announcements, but no one would shut up, so I couldn’t hear anything. Anyway, the race starts, and I’m off and running. I’ve been having a recurrence of pain where I SFX’ed my foot last year. I probably shouldn’t have been running as a result, but hey, it was only 5K. I had seeded in the front 1/3 of the pack not really knowing how fast I would be in comparison, but it worked out and I held together about a 7:50 pace or so. Problem was, the first 1.5 miles, my ankles were hurting like they were stiff! Granted, I did a 30/3 brick yesterday, but I’m not used to having to go hard on the run as I don’t usually race sprint distance, so I didn’t work into my pace. I have never had that pain in the ankles before and it sucked, but I just pressed on. By mile 2, I was better, and ramped it up. I passed a fair amount of people that were obviously losing steam having gone out too fast. Probably about 500 people in the race…a bit less than 2005 I think, maybe because it was a bit chilly. The guy dressed in the Spiderman costume was holding down a solid 3rd on the run! Go Spidey!
My run time about 24 and change.
T1
Off with the running shoes, hat and loose shirt, on helmet and bike shoes. I was wearing gloves too.
BIKE
This is a great 12-mile (actually 11.5 on my computer) bike course. Wide open, flat, fast…just one small rise at an overpass. We had a steady headwind for the out portion…about 5.5 miles, but I pushed hard intent on spending everything on the bike. I held about 20-21 mph for that stretch knowing I’d have the help of a tailwind coming back. The leader was a good 3 minutes ahead of 2nd place Russ Jones, the sprint distance legend at 51 years old! The following pack was pretty spread out. The RD had mentioned drafting before the race urging people to just “give some space”. BTW, he also said iPods were okay for the run only. This was not a USAT-sanctioned race. I honestly didn’t seen any drafting this year!
So, at the turnaround, I started hammering home and was a bit astonished to hold 27.5-28.5mph nearly the entire way back. Damn, I was loving the tail wind, but secretely telling myself I was a bike stud! Ha, ha. I was passing alot of folks on the bike, who obviously all run alot faster than me! I started thinking I might have a shot at the podium! I was 13th in my AG last year, but I was having a good bike ride here. (turns out I was wrong, but I didn’t know that!). Bike time was about 32 minutes. So, I hammered with everything I had all the way to the dismount line, and then had a brain fart and went to the wrong rack.
T2
I had to take a minute to get my bearings and find my rack, losing some time there. I couldn’t believe I did that! I came in through a different place than I exited (of course) and it screwed me all up. What a dumbass I am!
SWIM
Anyway, off with everything except my shorts and I grabbed my goggles and sprinted past a few on the way to the pool that looked like they might be in my AG. I was hell-bent on that elusive podium spot, even with the brain fart at T2.
This year, they added another 50-meter lap to the swim, so I jumped in (no diving allowed) and started thrashing. I was out of breath from the sprint to the pool, but got my composure and mowed down a few swimmers (I passed them…I didn’t dunk them!), and exited the pool not knowing how I did, but a glance at my watch about 1:30 after I finished indicated my time was about the same as last year which was just under an hour.
FINISH
I was a bit bummed as I thought I would CRUSH last year’s time, but I think my very average run was the deciding factor. Anyway, I ended up 10th in my AG, but times weren’t posted yet, so I don’t know if my hiccup in T2 made a difference in my placing or not.
The Tinsel Tri is a novelty! Not many places in this country that you can do an outdoor tri 2 weeks before Christmas. The vibe is decidedly casual and fun with alot of folks running/riding in costumes, and many first-timers, mountain bikers, people just racing as if they were out for a pleasurable jog and bike ride (ie, taking their time) so that makes it really fun for me. I like the variety in competitors that do this race. And then of course there are some that are competitive (like me). Don’t expect a massive post-race feed, aid stations everywhere, security in Transition, but do expect a good time for only $45! Can’t beat that! Now, I’m officially done for 2006! Next race? IM 70.3 Oceanside!
