This was a new race put on by Terry Davis (director of the Wildflower Triathlon, the nation's 2nd largest race) and held at Lover's Point in Pacific Grove along the breathtaking coast of the Monterey Bay. It was absolutely beautiful, perfect for a criterium style triathlon, and very spectator-friendly! Since triathlon will debut in the 2000 Olympics, this race modeled the format with Olympic distances, multiple loops, and gold, silver, bronze medals. The neatest thing about the race was that the director was a Christian and had the local pastor say a prayer for us. Then the national anthem was sung, the gun blew, and the first wave (29 & Under) were off!

Just before we ran down the beach, I heard someone yell "Troy, take it!" I figured it a facetious remark. They couldn't possible think I'd beat all these guys. The water was frigid. I thought I got a good start but soon was getting beat up by the 80 hyper swimmers all going for the same line. To keep from getting punched in the face or my goggles kicked off, I swam with my head underwater. However, you still need air, and you end up swimming crooked into other swimmers and get beat up some more. Lots of kelp challenged our progress. Sometimes it would wrap around an arm or leg and pull you back. I found you could grab it and pull forward. I figured it helped to slow the speedsters. After the first .5mi loop I was 17th. We ran around a checkpoint on the beach and then dove back into the bay for the 2nd loop. I finally came out around 15th and gained about 5 places with a speedy transition (I put helmet on as I ran and shoes on as I biked).

The 26mi bike was fun and loud with volunteers, spectators, and even cheerleaders yelling for us as we flew by them 8 times on the 4-loop out-n-back course. The weaving turns and gentle hills hugged the coastline and offered views of Spanish Bay, golf courses, and cypress trees reaching for the sea. I caught up with 2 fast guys, Brian and Mark, but couldn't shake them. We passed 2 of the 15-19yr olds who blew us away in the water. Making the turn-around at the end of each lap in front of the crowds and announcers was exciting & rejuvenating. With the course filling up with other age group waves, people getting lapped, and me concentrating on every turn and roller trying to gain a few seconds, I didn't realize we were gaining positions on the leader. The last lap, Brian, Mark & I were each making breaks for the lead but couldn't make it stick. I was surprised to hear the announcer shout, "and hear comes the chase group, battling for 2nd place!" With another fast transition, I started the run in 2nd and could see the leader 30sec ahead!

The out-n-back, 3-loop, 10k run course also offered great spectating. We ran along the waterfront to the turn-around at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Brian quickly passed me. The first place guy was "cooked" from the bike and soon fell behind both of us. I kept Brian in sight but couldn't comply with the spectators' cheers to catch him. They told me he looked stiff, that I should stay loose, to keep up the pace... they were really into it, it was neat! I took some energy packets and felt a little better. Then, at mile 4, I saw him stop for a second and massage his calf. I knew the cramps were coming on and that I now had a chance. I picked it up, just under 6min pace, by mile 5 I caught him. He said, "The cramps got me". I said, "Pull through it" and then dropped it another notch to 5:45. Everyone was really excited and I couldn't believe I was in first place. At 1/2mi to go I "put the hammer down", gave it everything. The announcer yelled "And here comes our new leader, Troy Soares, about to be the first to finish the inaugural Triathlon at Pacific Grove!" Then all I could hear was the crowd.

It was really fun! All these cameras were circling me, bobbing up and down. Brian was 20sec behind. We talked a while about the close race and the great course. Being a new race, my time, 2hr 10min, was temporarily the course record! (until 18min later when a 32yr old beat it with 2:08:20, and then 4 hrs. later when an Australian pro ripped through the course in 1hr57min!). This was definitely my most exciting race ever! For 1st place in the 25-29 I got a gold medal and dinner for 2 at "Roy's at Pebble Beach" at The Inn at Spanish Bay.