After two failed attempts to register over the past two years, I had the race web page open on my desktop before the 8:00 AM start of registration in February. I was not going to miss my chance this year to freeze my
Here are the vital statistics for this race and a few things you need to know. First, the 500yd swim is in a pool. Second, because of this, the fastest group of swimmers (including me) start in the last wave. Third, the 13ish mile bike hits the open roads of NW Corvallis, arguably the windiest and hilliest section of our fair city. Fourth, the run is a three-looper around the OSU Quad. Fifth, this race pretty much starts off the triathlon season in the PacNW. Sixth, it sells out in about an hour and a half. Seventh, the triathlon team doubled the race participation by opening up two pools for the competition, all in order to field their first ever team for the Collegiate National Championships, which means they doubled the amount of volunteers and organization required... props. Eighth, I'll think of something...
There I was, up at 6:18AM again. Start time wasn't until 10:15AM, but I got my stuff ready to go, consumed the requisite coffee and oatmeal, and bundled myself out the door. I wanted to watch some friends compete and offer support/volunteer wherever I could. Once at the tri, I saw that the OSU triteam had everything running like clockwork. So, instead I focused on getting my transition set-up, organizing how I would battle the weather (warm clothes and garbage bags), and giving some MC tips to Kyle, the guy who took over the announcer duties that I had last year (he was a natural!). And wouldn't you know it, before long it was time to jump in the water of the pool I train in every week. This actually gave me a slight advantage as the lanes lines don't exactly match up with the lines on the bottom (seven lanes, six evenly spaced lines) and it is pretty difficult to climb out of the pool. Two things that I had plenty of practice at!
I started second in my lane, circle swimming behind a far superior swimmer. Within seconds, I was out of her draft and had another competitor drafting my heels for 450 yds. With 50 yds to go, she tapped my feet and I obligingly yielded the lead. The mere seconds this cost me were nothing compared to the time I planned to waste in transition putting all my clothes on my wet body!
And waste them I did... out of the swim, I put on running shoes for the 500+ yd haul to the transition. My feet were still a little tender and shredded from the half-ironman last week. So, my swim time included the shoe shod. Once out the door, I ran while struggling into my Craft top. And upon reaching the transition area, I calmly donned half-tights, a jacket, socks, cycling shoes, a hat, sunglasses, and finally my helmet. My gloves were secured to my handle bar and I put these on as I pedaled out of transition.
The first wave of guys putting on warm clothes... see, I wasn't the only one.
Out on the road, I made quick work of the bike course. It was gritty and windy, and I just tucked my head and rolled... up a gradual hill, through the first turn around, into my "aero" position (see pic), and around up Oak Creek Rd, a course I ride too much. I was trying to look really serious and fast as I passed the Pacific Power/Blue Sky cheering section at the second turn-around (impossible ;-). I barely had time to get in to my cycling groove before it was time to run... fast.
In my aerobars. And looking very warm on the bike.
(Thanks Jimmy, for the pics)
In T2, I stripped off the jacket and hat, replaced it with my "Poser Triathlete" visor, and hauled out onto the run. I felt fantastic as I circled the Quad, one-two-three times. The crowds of competitors on the course thinned as I made my way around. One of the volunteers at the bottom of the only hill called out "you're amazing" as I went by. That got me up the hill in quick fashion... then as I came around again, she again called out "you're amazing". Maybe she remembered me? Then, as I approached her for the third time, I heard "you're amazing, you're amazing, you're amazing". Yup, I guess we were all amazing out there racing. I finished super strong, exceedingly comfortably, and smiling big. I high-fived all around at the finish.
Me, my bowl, and second place in the Male 50-54 category.
(He wanted to take a picture with me to celebrate second in his age group ;-)
Wrap-up: I didn't make my goal, which was to beat JoeB. But, he only had about 45" on me and he did get to race from the closer pool, meaning he had about 300 yds less of a run into T1 than I did. I saw him later at the bar, and we decided it was a draw. And I did win over-all female. Later on, I MCed the awards ceremony. The colorful commentary from the local talent (me) actually managed to say the word "nipple" over the loud speakers... it was totally harmless and in the context of the wording of the USAT rules that state "you must have your nipples covered"... but still, awesome. Anywho, I wasn't sure how I was going to announce the overall female champion. Well, in the end, I just stated "and the the overall female winner, with a time of 1:06:something is... Sunny Gilbert. Me!"
Someday, it will be the last time I win a race... and I don't win all the time now, even the majority of the time. However, I never get tired of saying it. I won the Beaver Freezer! Excellent. Congrats to everyone braving the elements. Sometime soon I am going to have to do a race in mild mannered weather. But, what will be the fun of that?
Did I win? I'm feeling like a winner anyway.
