^{PLACE & TIME:} 

Troy - 2nd Place - 1:42:54

Robin - 2nd Place - 2:04:42

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Troy's Race

I've been looking forward to this race.  I've been happy with my workouts lately and thanking God for the little improvement I've felt with  my foot.  I can run 2 miles without stopping and will try to complete today's run.

Even better is the fact that Robin is doing her first triathlon this year and we get to do it together thanks to Francie Campbell who is babysitting Anna & Ariel.  Francie is also volunteering at the race while Dave Campbell (her husband) races.

We show up at Granite Bay at 7:30 for a 9am start.  There aren't many people here.  Anna gets on her tricycle.  I grab my pack and start walking my bike to the transition area.  Copying me, Anna decides she'll walk her bike, too.  I hang my bike on the rack.  Anna requests her bike be hung as well, so I do since there's plenty of room.  Wow, there's a cute sight I've never seen before.   A tricycle hanging from a triathlon rack.

Lee McKinley shows up!  Dave Campbell talked him into coming.  Lee's a great ultrarunner who just placed 12^th at the Angeles Quest 100miler in So. Cal.  He swims with us, and even road the Auburn Century last week, but he hasn't done a triathlon for 15 years.  Since he lives nearby he's giving it a shot.  His wife, Sara, is taking pictures.  I do a warm-up bike with Anna in the parking lot.  She loves riding her tricycle with me.  I barely pedal, but I can imagine someday trying to keep with her.  Then I go ride with Lee, giving him tips.  He's wearing a Speedo and asks carefully, "Is this still acceptable racing attire?"   Pretty funny, except that Lee and his speedo raced a mean Hawaii Ironman back in 1992, back when it really was crazy.  He's a freak-of-nature and the nicest guy at the same time.

Back at the racks we discuss wearing shoes, or not, from the water up to the transition.  I say, "It's no big deal".  But Dave sets things straight.  He always comes prepared and in the know.  He says, "Shoes.  Definitely!  You don't run a mile barefoot".  A mile!  Sure enough, Folsom Lake is so low it's a mile from the beach to the water!

The race is starting in 15 min… I grab my suit and shoes and start running.  Wow, talk about a warm up, I'm at the water's edge already sweating.  I set my shoes up near the dirt and see Dave's "campsite".  Wow!  A tarp, towel, and water bucket to wash his feet.  It's sure to cause "transition-site-envy" in a lot of us.  I pray with Robin as we always do before a race and it gets my focus on right reasons.."Why Do I Race?".. to share my appreciation for the One who has made it all possible.  I know that the reason I've experienced so much happiness, thrills, and success racing and competing is because of the grace of God and not because of something I've made happen.  Like with my foot.. as much as I've tried I haven't been able to fix it, but Jesus has still allowed my greatest racing memories to be made even with this condition.

The Swim:  Go!  It's an exciting running start!  It's muddy.  A couple dolphin kicks and I'm off and swimming.  A don't know how many take off ahead, the sun is in our eyes.  I end up with no draft but just focus on pulling hard with each stroke.  The course is a very even triangle.  Although it does feel a little long.  I feel like I did a good effort and really pushed the last 200 yds.  On the shore.  My wetsuit kicks off quickly.  Feet are covered with dirt.  Wipe some off.  Volunteer tells me to carry my wetsuit unless I have a tag.  Whew, I suddenly remember where my tag is.  It's great having them take my wetsuit, a mile is long carry.

The Run to T1:  Running up the sand and dirt.  My foot is doing better than expected.  I see some guys way ahead.  I focus on finding packed sand.  Slowly I'm catching up to them.  At T1, I make a good transition, see Anna and Ariel doing fine (which will relieve Robin), and head out on the bike.. the most important part for me.

The Bike:  It doesn't feel as easy as I was hoping.  Legs are a little sluggish.  Maybe a little tired from the century last week.  The bike course is 2 out-n-back laps on up-and-down twisty park roads.  I'm focusing on technique and cornering at speed.  And also giving other riders enough room.  Many are beginners so I don't want to scare them as I go by.

As I return on the first lap I see Dave Campbell and Lee McKinley.  And then Robin! Starting her 1^st lap.  I make all the turns and 180's well until I finish lap 1….  As I loop around a volunteer says, "the turn is back here".  They had 2 markers and I didn't go far enough.  I vow to make up the 2 second shortcut when I return.  I catch up to Robin.  I love being able to see each other closely in races like thisJ

I race the last miles as hard as I can.  At the end I try to go 2 seconds farther than the turn arrow to make up for my shortcut.  But this confuses the volunteers and the rider behind me.  I'm just a trouble-maker todayJ

The Run:  Wow, my back is really stiff.  I just try to shuffle, partly bent over.  The first mile is very uncomfortable this way but I'm sure my back will loosen up soon.  Mile 2 and I'm loosening up.  My foot is a little tender but doing remarkably well!  I'm actually "running".  My training has mainly been speed walking or short-stepping.  But now I'm really striding out like a runner.  It's a great feeling.  And the course is a cool trail along the lake.  It's a blessing just to be moving along this cool run course like I am.  The pace is around 8 min/mi.  Slow compared to previous years, but a real accomplishment for me today.  I pass a woman while descending a treacherous part of the trail.  She gets nervous and doesn't know where to move to.  I say, "you're fine there.  Doing great.  Keep your toes pointing down."  She seems to understand and smiles and makes it down ok.

I make it to the turn-around, eat my Hammer Gel, and start back looking for water.  I'm smiling a lot and cheering other runners.  I'm just amazed to be running again.  We go up some steep switchbacks.  Don't push it with the foot.  Better just speed walk.  Still I'm at my limit fitness wise and breathing really hard.  At the top!  Foot still good.  Another treacherous descent… keep the toes pointed down (this is a good trick for keeping traction).  I push the last mile all I can.  I actually pass 2 guys.  I'm exhausted and hot coming to the finish.. but a wonderful feeling to really have run in this race.  I pray my thanks to Jesus and go to see Anna & Ariel with Francie.  We go back out on the course and get ready to cheer Robin as she comes in.  Anna says, "We see mommy, and then I run with her!"   She loves this.  And I do, too.  Thanks, God, for a great day.

Robin's Race

Today Troy and I are racing a triathlon together for the first time since June ’07.  Today this is all made possible by the great Campbell Fam!  Francie, the wife of super Dave, has volunteered to watch Anna and Ariel…what a gal! 

Today we have the added bonus of a 1 mile sand run between the swim and T1!  The TBF (Total Body Fitness) folks are going to carry our wetsuits back up…that helps!  Troy and I decide to wear our shoes for the long run.  He will carry our PAM spray back and I will carry our towel.  The PAM is for lubricating the outside of our wetsuits so they will come right off and the towel is for wiping our feet.  I’m also going to carry a bottle of HEED (way better than Gatorade) for hydration and energy.

We leave the girls behind at the finish line with Francie and each make the trek to the start.  I’m concerned that Anna will be difficult and I stop periodically to glance back.  I ask the Lord to help me to let go and bring me peace.  My flesh keeps making me doubt and I continue to stop.  I find Troy at the start and I tell him my concerns.  He tells me to put it in the Lord’s hands and we pray together.  I know now that I need to let it go and trust that He will make it all work out.  When those doubts come to mind I just remember that the Lord will be faithful. 

I stand in the chilly water and watch Troy’s wave start.  I give him a wave and he’s soon off!  Go Troy!  I go for a warm-up swim and quickly get used to the water.  The temperature is perfect for a swim!  Today I tell the Lord that I want to help others if those opportunities arise.  That might mean stopping to help someone change a flat.  I’m reminded how recently Troy stopped in the FIT Tri and loaned someone a cartridge and pump. 

Dave’s wave takes off.  Go Dave!  I know he’ll be working hard today!  I head over to the start and chat with a few ladies.  They aren’t wearing wetsuits and are concerned.  I tell them that they will be fine without one.  It’s my turn now.   This is a beach start.  Ready, set, go!  I run and dive in and get into a good rhythm.  I’ve only swum 2 times since having Ariel so I know the swim will take more out of me than usual.  About 2/3 to the first buoy I start feeling the lack of swimming.  I shrug it off.  It’s nice to be out in this refreshing water and returning to the sport.  As usual I find myself without a draft.  It seems like I’m always right in the middle by myself.  I’m doing well swimming straight and just focus on having good form.  I round the last buoy and head back for my “long” run. 

I swim right to shore and get out and immediately pull off my wetsuit.  I hand it over the TBF folks and put on my shoes and a special GPS device.  Dave is having me demo this GPS unit for a company called Track My Athlete.  It allows people with internet access to see where I am during the race.  Francie and Anna are going to be watching me and possibly my folks.  I grab my other things and start running.  My swim split was 24:26 for .75miles.  Slow but fine by me.

T1 is so far away that I cannot even see it.  I feel good.  The sandy sections are made a little easier by running on my toes.  I zig-zag a bit so that I can find harder ground.  There are a few girls ahead and I wonder if I’ll be able to close the gap.  I hear someone come up on me and it’s another girl.  She passes me and I tell her “good job”.  She seems to settle into a pace and I’m able to stay with her.  We pass three other girls together.  I tell those girls “good swimming”.  I’m still feeling good and start to pull away.  I’m coming up to T1…yeah!  Hey, there’s Anna and she doesn’t even know I’m coming.  “Anna!”  She turns and smiles at me.  I run over to her and give her a big hug and kiss.  She smiles as I say goodbye. Thanks Lord!  Now I know that she’s okay without me.  I hit my watch at the bike…8:07.  I’ll take it.

I jump on the bike and head out.  I’ve also done little biking lately but it’s enough to feel at home on the bike.  This is a two loop course that has a lot of twists and turns.  We are on park roads so there are no cars.   Within the ½ mile a woman from the Reno Tri Club flies by me.  I see if I can match her pace but it’s a no go.  No big deal, worth a try.  Hey, there’s Troy coming back from his first loop.  He looks great!  I know I’ll be seeing him in a few minutes when he catches up to me. 

I’m almost to the farthest point on the bike.  Troy goes by and ask how his foot is doing…”good”.  Thank you Lord!  I pray that it continues to feel good on the run.  I can see some of the girls ahead of me here.  I see 3 including the girl that passed me.  There could be more so I just keep pushing.  My legs actually feel good and I’ve got a good rhythm.  I keep looking for Dave.  I figure he’s close behind Troy and I missed him on the one-way sections.

I head back to the start/turn around.  There is a girl on the side of the road working on her tire…an opportunity?  I slow down and ask if she needs help.  She says, "No." “Okay, hang in there!”.

It’s a nice flat straight section to the start / turn-around where I can just sit in my aerobars.  I see what looks to be four girls ahead of me coming back the other direction including the Reno Tri gal.  Let’s see if I can close the gap.  I make a good turn.  I look at my bike Garmin GPS and see that I’m averaging 17.3 mph.  Let’s see if we can raise that up. 

As I go out it looks like there was a crash.  Two bikes are on the side of the road with race officials.  I hope they are okay!  I felt fairly comfortable on the first loop so I’m hoping I can increase the intensity.  The little hills are slow going.  I’m standing up just to keep my momentum over them.  I hit the farthest point of the course and head back!  Yeah!  I’m ready to run.  My bike average is now about 17.5.  I wanted a bigger improvement but it’s harder to improve further into a ride.  I’m on the last flat section.  I see another girl on the side of the road.  This is one of the girls that was ahead of me.  I feel for her!  I slow down and ask if she needs help.  She says no.  I also tell her to hang in there. 

I ride into transition.  My split is 45:35 for 13 miles.  I’ll take it.  I turn on my running Garmin GPS and put on my gear.  Once I’m ready to go, my Garmin is not….it’s still looking for satellites.  I wait for a minute and debate leaving the watch behind.  No, I want to know my pace and heartrate.  I can see other racers are getting ahead.  I turn it off and back on again.  In a few seconds it loads and I race out of T2. 

I feel surprisingly good.  I’m holding back a bit because I’m not sure if I’ll bonk.  I catch up to a few other Reno Tri girls that passed me in transition.  I encourage them as I go by.  One says, “here comes all the runners now”.  There’s Troy coming back toward the finish.  He’s got a mile to go!  “Go Troy”.  He tells me his foot feels good and the Lord is giving him a good race.  I tell him “Praise God!”  I’m glad that the girls will be reunited with Daddy very shortly.

Mile 1 8:03.  Wow, I still feel good though I’m starting to notice the heat.  The next mile is tough!  There is some climbing and a section on sand and over rock.  There is little shade on this part so I suffer.  Mile 2 is 8:59.

The next mile flattens out and has some shade.  This is the out and back part of the course.  Now I get to see how many girls are ahead of me.  Here comes the Reno Tri gal flying!  Wow, she looks great!  I tell her “great job!”  There are 3 other girls behind her.  I might be able to catch one of them to put myself in 4^th.  That might get me on the podium…that would be a nice perk.  I’m motivated to push harder.  Mile 3 is 8:25.  I grab some water at the aid station.  Yes, ice!  That’s refreshing!

I know there is a big hill coming.  I did it last year in the Granite Bay Duathlon.  Here it is!  Straight up for a good half mile!  My goal is to run the whole thing slowly.  I plug away and focus on form and footing.  I make it to the top running the whole way!  Yeah, thanks God!  Now comes the really hard part…the treacherous downhill!  It’s sandy and bumpy.  I try pointing my toes downward as Troy has suggested.  I find myself sideways and sliding a bit.  I finally make it down and get running again.  This is a nice shady section.  Mile 4 is 9:30.  Yeah that was a tough mile.  I get some water at the next aid station and focus on heading home.  I wonder if I can go under 2:05.

With a half mile to go, I see Troy and the girls ahead.  Troy tells me that Anna wants to run with me.  I slow down for her and we run together.  She’s got a big smile on her face and is having fun.  She just melts my heart!  Daddy tells her to come back and I say goodbye.  I’m pumped up and push hard to the finish.  Mile 5 is 8:12.  I look at my watch and see that I’ll just be under 2:05.  Thanks God!  I finish strong and I’m so happy for this opportunity.  I thank Francie for her help and congratulate Dave on a great race!

Go Dave!

Go Lee!

Fun!