Race day weather was perfect! It was sunny for the swim, slightly foggy for the run. The elite group went first. Four minutes later my group got the "GO!" This was the last long race of the season, I was determined to go all out. I had a good sprint into the surf, but, looking left and right, noticed everyone else did, too. Into the first long stretch I spotted my buddy, Craig, who's a better swimmer so I pulled into his draft and swam hard. He was swimming great (and straight, too, which is important). Through the salt spray and thrashing feet I tried to look ahead . . . we were in the lead pack! At half way, I lost Craig, but spotted another good draft. But I had to fight for it as another competitor & I both wanted the same slipstream. We'd charge back and forth while negotiating buoys but neither could totally claim the churning feet-bubbles of this guy in front of us. Craig had an awesome 4th place swim finish. I was around 12th.

I sprinted up the beach, gasping for air, fighting dizziness. After a little trouble with the wetsuit I was soon speeding down beautiful Cabrillo Blvd., happy to be on the bike, ready to use my advantage on the hills and to catch anyone I saw ahead. I caught Craig soon and didn't stick around to chat. The course weaved through beach front mansions, along streets of palm trees, up and down shady groves, along vineyards and avocado farms, and through treacherous Toro Canyon which always dishing out plenty of road-rash. I took the corners fast (against the best wishes of the volunteers) and continued to hammer on the hills, chasing down every bike I saw. There were four turns with complete "foot-down" stops (I practiced the day before so didn't lose too much time). I battled with the "Team La Roche" guy (couldn't tell which division he was in), and Scott, a guy in the elite group whom I met afterwards, and even Steve Ferrario, a semi-pro in the elite division! (He wasn't riding his usual aero race bike. "I didn't bring the 'toaster' this time," he said.) I accomplished two goals: not to crash, and to finish with no one in sight ahead of me!

I felt quite good starting the run and even looked forward to the hills. My feet hurt a little early on from previous blisters/calluses but I soon forgot about them. I was worried a big group would surge by me like at Mike & Rob's Triathlon. I ran faster. The "Team La Roche" guy blew by me. He was the hardest one to beat on the bike. I was surprised he could run, too! Another guy sprinted by but he reassured me that he was DNF (flatted early, doing run for fun). Steve Ferrario passed me and I tried locking into his pace. I drank lots of water (a lesson I learned at 1/2 Vineman Triathlon) and didn't get any cramps. I used my "Sqeezys" in the hills for energy and really opened my stride for the long downhill of miles 6 to 8. But when I hit the 2-mile stretch to the finish, my legs were wasted. I kept promising my legs this was the last long one of the season . . . just get me to the finish and you're done!

Then, just after 8 mi., I saw him . . . the "Team La Roche" guy! If I could beat this guy, the whole race would be a success! I recalled the tactics my coach, Dave Davis, taught me. I dug deep, picked up the pace, as I got closer I was quiet, I assumed his pace, I gathered some strength, and then I put the hammer down and went by with conviction, looking as fresh as I could. I had to make it "stick" in order to keep him from challenging. I put the hammer all the way down and got a 10-sec gap. The legs hurt, the spurt was over, I was at his pace and had a mile to go. It was the longest mile. I couldn't help but look back. He wouldn't fade. I concentrated, I pumped my arms, I closed my eyes, but I couldn't go faster. Finally, the cheers from the crowd, the finish banner, one last look back, and I manage to smile as I sail down the chute through the finish in a time of 3:06, 20 sec. ahead of "La Roche."

I was totally happy with my race and the mental tenacity that pushed me. I said a prayer at the finish like usual because most importantly, I'm thankful to be given the opportunity and resources to do this fun hobby. To top it off, I soon learned that the "Team La Roche" guy WAS in my division, and by passing him, I got FIRST PLACE!! This was my first real win! I celebrated with friends, ate at two Sushi restaurants, and actually drank 2 beers!