The field is about 650. After racing here for 4 years, I'd never placed, so my goal for '96 (my 5th year) is to get 5th place. After seeing some of the competition and friends showing up, I know it won't be easy. Chad Gordon of Team USA will probably take 1st. My buddies, Arnie (Half Ironman run time of 1:15), Sean Gettman (33min 10K), and Anthony Brantley (competitive swim background) always beat me.

This is my last International Distance (1.5K swim, 40K bike, 10k run) Triathlon of the season since my focus has already shifting to longer Ironman Distance training. Some good friends are coming to watch so I feel the pressure. Race morning is cold and frantic. I get to the line with seconds to spare. I catch a glimpse of my friends, secure goggles, hit the stopwatch and GO!

I can't see anything in the swim, the sun, in line with the buoys, is blinding us. I think "swim into the light..." My swim seems terrible, the whole pack is long gone and I can't seem to get my arms going. I feel the altitude, breathing is so hard. There's no one to draft behind. Then, from behind, I see the impressive, powerful stroke of Pete Kain, 1994 World Champion, who started in wave 2, 3 min behind. I jump into his draft for a few seconds, but as I fall back, his powerful wake bumps me to the side. He's fast! I finally draft off someone my own speed the last 300yds. My transition is terrible. I let someone fasten my zipper & it feels like they tied it in a knot. I'm at my bike and still wrestling with my suit.

Finally, I can forget about the disappointing swim and focus on climbing. 1400ft in 3mi. Bikes slowly crawling up the winding granite Donner Pass. I pass a couple, we talk a little, I watch the lake glimmer below, and I feel the burning in my legs. I see Anthony, he's broken his bottom bracket and is out of the race. I give my condolences. Now we fly down the backside for 9 miles. The road is rough, making aerobars risky. I start to strategize. I need to get to 10th. There's probably 5 guys in other age groups ahead so that will give me 5th place in my age group. I see the leader coming back, he's 4min ahead, I start counting. I'm 14th! Now, to push the 9mi climb. I move to 13th but he stays on my tail to the summit. I haven't seen 12th the whole way.

Over the summit, the most feared descent comes into view. 100ft cliffs line the steep, sharp corners of this granite playground for rock climbers. Speeds of 50mph. There are 8 flag persons positioned in view of each other ready to raise the flags to signal each time there is a crash.... and there are a few of them. Along with the roadrash are the stories of "close calls".... a rear blowout in a 30mph turn, clipping an inside pedal while coming down the tight & treacherous Rainbow Bridge, and the guy who arrived at the bottom without a tire, riding the rim of his wheel.

I check my tires, test the brakes, gather my strength and drop in! How fast should I go... don't use the brakes in the turns... whew! I made it around Rainbow Bridge. Some people are cheering, others are silent with concern in their faces. Then I see him, 12th place, 1/2 way down, looking a little cautious. I'm 45mph between turns, 35mph in the turns. I pass him towards the bottom. Wow, a great ride down!

On the run, Anthony asks how I feel. Amazingly I'm able to answer, "Great!". "Then go get that guy" he tells me, pointing to 11th place up ahead. I can't believe how fresh and light I feel. I'm not even struggling with getting oxygen. I'm in 11th now and flying through the hills (300ft of climbing) at 6:30 pace. I thank God because this run is usually so difficult. Finally, at 3 miles, I see 10th place far ahead. Hitting the main road back along the lake, I feel great. At 4mi I'm closing the gap. Then I see 3 more runners ahead! I take 10th, then 9th, and 8th. 7th is Chris, a new, strong member of our Runner's Factory team. He says, "Great run!" as I cruise by at 6:20 pace.

I finish in 2hr 23min, just ahead of Sean who was coming up strong the whole time. I thank God for a great race and a confidence-building run. Arnie got 4th in the 25-29 group and I got 5th!! The best part was that I felt GREAT after and ran 3 miles more.

My times were 25min for a 1mi swim 1:13 for 40k bike and 41:15 for 6.5mi run.