headed down to transition area around 5:30, put my nutrition on the bike checked tire pressure, finalized preparations and made a couple bathroom stops before making my way down to the swim entrance.
The gun went off, and the day's effort was underway. I put in a fair effort for a few hundred meters to work my way up towards the front of the pack and avoid much of the chaos. I found a set of feet, and settled in for a draft at a good comfortable pace. The swim was fairly open, and I found myself bridging up to a faster set of feet on 3 occasions, primarily at turn buoys. I’d make a surge, get to the new set of feet and settle down to allow myself to come back to race effort. I came out of the water feeling pretty fresh and anxious to get on the bike had a minor delay with the wetsuit stripper. gathered my things, and heard mike “you had your best swim yet, time to get to the bike and race smart. SWIM 1:00:26 (1:33/100m) my fastest swim yet at this distance and fastest pace for any triathlon swim over 1 mile.
Transition went well, nothing spectacular, my standard in the tent shoes, sunglasses, helmet, race belt, sunscreen, off to the bike and pedaling. T1 0:02:45
The plan for the bike is to sit back and let things unfold until the turnaround. The ride after the turnaround is more difficult, and provides a good opportunity to make up time. Between miles 5 and 10 1 rider went cruising by, the only rider to pass me while I was riding the entire day. I was feeling good, and doing well at following my plan, lots of calories a good amount of water, and a comfortably solid pace. At mile 45 I saw the first riders heading back from the turnaround, putting them roughly 10 miles ahead of me. I believe there were 10 or 12 riders in front of me at the turn around, and the hunting began.
By the special needs station at mile 53 I had passed 1 rider, and had 2 more not too far ahead. By mile 60 I passed another couple of cyclists, and had 2 more I was pursuing. At mile 70 the course gets pretty fast, and I took an opportunity to rest a bit and enjoy the easy pedaling downhill. Around mile 85 my confidence took a hit, I broke my chain.
At least I’m close to the top of a climb, and not too far from the next aid station (just past mile 90). I picked up the broken chain put it in my pocket, and walked my bike to the crest of the climb. Remounting the bike, I coasted down the hill and as far up the last climb out of the park as gravity allowed. There was roughly 1 mile to the aid station, I began walking. Other riders asked if I needed anything, but none had a chain tool or chain, so I was on my own.
A spectator gave me a ride to the remaining mile to the next aid station. They were extremely helpful in helping me find a chain, the bad part is it took some time. I waited around long enough to find out the support vehicle had neither chain nor chain tools. It was now 1pm, I had until 3pm to get to the bike path before the cutoff, and my race was over. After some time, I decided I’d have to go back to where I was picked up and cover the distance back to the aid station under my own power. Might as well do it while the folks at the aid station where trying to locate a chain for me.
I began the journey back to where I was picked up. The good news is it was downhill, so I was able to coast my bike down. the bad news is that meant running back up the hill with my bike in tow, and either cycling shoes, or bare feet. I opted for bare feet, and jogged the remaining distance out of the park and to the aid station. The time was now 2pm, and still no chain. Race support had found a chain tool, and I started to try and re-use my broken chain in hopes I’d be able to limp the remaining miles on it to T2. After several failed attempts, I thought it’s best to wait for the new chain to arrive, as if the chain breaks, I’ll be several miles from any opportunity for assistance. One of the volunteers had a friend that was buying a chain and chain tool so I could continue my race. I sat around waiting, handed out water and gatorade to riders, and ate and drank.
Finally the chain and tool arrived, I installed the new chain, and quickly sped off, I’m not sure what time it was, but know it had to be getting close to 3. I quickly realized I was unable to get in the big ring. After a quick evaluation, I determined it would be beneficial to turn around go back to the aid station and adjust the front derailleur so I had access to the big ring. with that done, I was back on my way.
the remaining 22 miles went without hitch and I was into T2 around 3:40. Bike 7:37:01 (14.9 mph), approximately 8:40 into the race. For every up there is a down, this is my slowest bike split for any distance triathlon.
Transition 2 was a bit of a task, I was pretty disappointed with the whole bike scenario, and contemplated calling it a day. I would have, except you always have to start the next section and see how things go, the good news is there is relatively few mechanical issues you can have on the run. T2 -???
The run turned out to be a problem, no running legs, the ups seemed far steeper then they were, and the descents far slower than I typically enjoy. It would be 13 miles and nearly 2.5 hours before I saw anybody from pulse. They had all gathered and were waiting just past special needs to cheer me on. I was in no mood for cheering. When I saw them, I threw my nutrition and sunglasses and continued through. It was now 11 hours into the race. I got some food in me at the next aid station and proceeded to walk entirely too much. At mile 15, it became evident that I wasn’t enjoying this, and really didn’t want to be out here anymore. At mile 19, I proceeded to walk through the turn and towards the finishing area. I was done, my mood was sour, I was hungry, and not interested in the 2+ hours I would likely have used to finish the “run”. It was a little after 7pm when I handed over my race number and succumbed to the “toughest course in north america”. The irony lay in the fact that it was by far the best weather conditions the event has seen since its inception in 2005.
Not my best showing, I am still having trouble with the fact that I dropped out. that makes my last 2 events DNF numbers 3 and 4. back to the drawing board, I have exactly 2 months until I go to new zealand and have another go at figuring out the full distance triathlon.
