This isn't me in the following picture but it gives an idea of what we had to run on from the beach to transition - my feet are still a bit sore today:
The bike ride was pretty much flat for the first three miles of the loop then curvy with a very slight incline for the second three miles – we did this twice. I was passed by three guys on tri bikes and passed three guys myself. After the first couple miles the moisture from the fog started building up on my sunglasses making it difficult to see very well. I tried riding with them pulled down on my nose but then my contacts started drying out. Finally I pushed them back over my eyes and settled for running my finger over the lenses every few minutes to clear away the moisture buildup which actually worked pretty well. On the flat part of the ride I was averaging around 22/23 mph but on the curvy/incline section I was averaging around 18//19 mph for an overall average of 20.5 for the 12 mile ride. Total bike time 33:38. Here I am coming to the dismount line – it came up very quickly and we were flying downhill on a wet slippery road so I was only able to get one foot out of my shoe – I just clicked out of the left pedal and ran into transition with one shoe on:
The beginning of the run was a small uphill then it was basically a flat out and back. I kept a strong pace and passed two guys within the first mile. A few minutes later I was passed by one person but he was 50 so I didn’t stress on AG competition. A little bit later I saw the leaders coming back from the turn around and of course they all looked like they were 25-29. I hit the turn around and picked up the pace a little bit but didn’t want to push too hard and die out at the end. Once I reached the downhill before the finish I took a glance over my shoulder and saw one guy coming up on me. I pushed hard but he passed me near the end and I couldn’t catch back up. So this is the point in our story where we run into a bit of a snag – since I crossed the finish line basically right after the guy who passed me the timing equipment didn’t pick me up and I didn’t get a run time. Luckily I talked to the guy who passed me right after the race and Jen had a picture of us together so I have his race number and name. I talked to the race director and she is going to check the system manually to find me at the checkpoint before the finish, or something like that, and update the results. UPDATE - race director contacted me and let me know that she found me and my overall time was 1:09:05 which put me 3rd in my AG and 21st overall. Turns out the guy who was third in my group was actually in another AG so that moved me into third and she will be sending my award! I was under the impression that my total time was 1:09:41 but even if that was the case I would still be third in my AG so it's a time issue, not a place issue which is a bit of a relief for me.
Total time: 1:09:05 - 3rd in AG, 21st Overall, 19th Overall Male
Overall Male Results
7 comments:
Awesome job!!!!!!!
Way to kick butt! I'm in most awe of your 47 second T2 time, lol!
Way to go Zach! I could just feel the freezing water & the flutter for sharks! Great bike & run too.
Dragonfly on the Water...
I like both Zach's but take it easy on dissing that country music. Great job in Santa Cruz!! Proud of both of you.
Nice report. You were flying on the run, great swim and bike too. Congrats on the AG Award! Too bad they didn't have it figured out on race day, but still very cool. You are super awesome. :)
Nice job, Zach #1- you rocked! The Maine race is really cool- Nice clean lake swim, the ride is hilly but not too bad, but the run is gnarly! It is the school's xc ski trails, also used by their cross country team- all off road. It is xterra-like, hard as hell with the hills and obstacles. Great fun, though, and a great challenge. Next race is Timberman on Sat morning! My last race of the year- hopefully peaking at the right time. I am thinking of doing the Philly half marry this fall- I have a buddy who wants to do it. I had planned on doing the full mary before the surgery. I probably could start logging miles and slog through it. Still might. Keep rocking!
Nice work! Looks like the Big Kahuna race. I'm not looking forward to that cold water OMG.
Some blonde told me to check out your race. Nice one!
Looks a bit foggy out there - just like Beijing ;)
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