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Southbay
Triathlon, '99 |
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| DATE: May 16, 1999 | WHERE: Uvas Reservoir, Morgan Hill |
| DISTANCE: .75mi swim, 16mi bike, 5mi run | |
| TIME: s16:00, t1:11, b42:01, t0:43, r29:05, total: 1:29:14 | |
| PLACE: 2nd / 89, 6 / 534 overall | |
| TEAMMATES: David R, Kevin K, Dale J., Jeff B, Annika L, Ray G., Laura S, Roy S., Michelle VP, Albert L. | |
    It was a perfectly clear day, but the early morning chill was biting at my fingers as I rode to the start. I see my roommate, Dale, on a mile warmup run. Whisps of vapor rise slowly from beautiful, shimmering Uvas Reservoir. J & A Productions has its volunteers hustling to set up the best food and entertainment spread any small town triathlon has ever seen. 600 athletes are busy setting up transition sites, preparing for a quick smooth running of this sprint-type triathlon.It's a reunion. All the familiar faces are here including many who have come back from triathlon breaks to show they've still got it. My team, the STARS, have 11 competing against others from teams like Golden Gate Triathlon Club, Silicon Valley Tri Club, Tri-City Triathletes, and Metrosports. The atmosphere is fun and exciting as this race will last less than 2hrs, not enough to warrant the nervousness present at bigger races like Wildflower. A nine year old girl steps up to the mic and belts out an inspiring rendition of the national anthem. Loud cheers are quickly followed by the cool Celtic resonances of those awesome bag pipes! Nothing starts a race secluded amongst hills and water like a trio of authentic bag pipes. Suddenly the Pros/Elites are off for the 3/4mi sprint around the Island. And then the 29 and under wave bolts forward. Different songs are played for each wave. My wave is ready. I'm next to John Dougery and Mike Grote in the 2nd row of a group of 150. Go! The sun is in our eyes but I follow Mike's splash and sprint for the 1st buoy. I work hard through the long stretch behind the island, knowing that every second counts in this short race. This is my 2nd race that I have had to negotiate through the slower swimmers of the wave ahead of me. Makes me recall how great (and difficult) it was racing in the first wave (25-29) for the past few years. I sprint towards the boat ramp, trying to use every bit of energy left in my arms since I won't be needing them anymore. I'm a minute faster than last year! Transition goes great and I'm out on the bike. No heart rate monitor, no speedometer, just go as hard as possible the whole time. The course is a blast with sudden drops and turns and climbs that aren't so bad. The sun is bright, a slight breeze blows us down the backstretch and everything on the bike is working good. I pass many and soon am all alone. Until the steep 1/4mi climb at 10mi when 2 guys pass me and I spend the next 3 mi hunting them down. I stretch on the final 1/2mi and zip into the transition area with a 42min bike. As I toss helmet and don shoes I wonder why my bike was a minute slower than last year but felt so much faster. I'm also amazed John Dougery didn't catch me on the bike, I guess his hilly 75mi training ride the day before made him less of a threat. My feet are numb still from the swim and I run on "stubs" until the halfway point. My challenge is to beat some of the emerging young talent of which I train with. Marco Campagna, Kevin Kennedy, and David Ridder. They're in the age group ahead so have a 5min head start. At 2mi I see the first one, Marco. He's 1 mi ahead, which equals 6min, which means he's actually 1min faster than me. The others are close behind. I pick it up, make the turn and hammer back to the finish. I'm so happy my Achilles tendon is holding up after restricting me from running most of the week. I see most of my team members on the way back. The whole group looks great and the encouragements back and forth are so helpful. I finish quickly, having beaten my previous PR and breaking 1-1/2 hrs with a 1:29:14! I couldn't match Marco's time but was successful in showing the 2 others that the "old man" isn't gonna be that easy to beat :) The after-race festivities are great at J & A Productions races! Tons of food, music, and expo happenings. The STARS team did great and I saw many other good friends have good races and everyone had a good Sunday at the lake! My 2nd place earned a coveted Southbay winner's sweatshirt which I'm very proud of. Much thanks to my friends and sponsors, TRH and Togo's! -Troy |
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