The Chula Vista
This is an Olympic distance triathlon. Point to point, meaning two different transition
areas. The swim would be in the
bay, the bike goes from the bay inland
to Otay Lakes
This made pre race packet pick-up a bit of work. You had to have your T2 bag ready to go. For me, it was shoes, hat, and fuel. Then off to T1 to leave your bike. Before leaving it, I took my pre-race shake
out ride. A final check, make sure I
didn’t pick something up in the tires, and some lube on the chain. Rack the bike. Props number one to the race organizers. They use the racks that you stick a wheel in,
so much better than the over hang racks.
Early to bed, early to rise, the triathlon starts just after
sunrise! Which means, a 3:30 AM wake up
to get ready, eat, and head to the finish area, so we can catch a shuttle to
the start? More props to the race. Nice coach buses for the shuttles.
Arrival at the race start.
Into transition where I set up my spot.
Turn over the helmet, straps open, do-rag in place. Cycling shoes opened up, and ready. Take care of business, get body-marked, more
business, and look at the path for bike-out.
Study the swim course, okay ready.
30 minutes till start. Jump in
the water for a warm-up. The water is
warm, feels good, swim out about 100 meters or so, and back arms are
loose. 15 minutes.
Wave one off. I’m in
wave five. They go at three minute
intervals. It doesn’t take long.
Men 45-49 in the hot pink swim caps. The siren sounds and we head into the
water. My plan, go out hard. Yes, you read that right, go out hard. As you know I signed up for my first full
Ironman next year. Everything I am
reading, is the first 200 meters are an absolute frenzy. I thought, I need to start practicing for
that now. The swimmer to my left thought
it a good idea to hold my left arm down for three strokes until I could shake
free, then I took off. The fastest of
our group was out ahead, but I felt like I was swimming well. Before the first turn buoy I passed three
swimmers from the previous wave, along the long parallel stretch I passed
several more, and even passed a few from the third wave. Turn for home and the swim is done! Out of the water, run up the hill, and just
before enter the transition area is the timing mat. Even with the minute or so it took from water
to the mat; my swim time was 29:22. A PR
for 1500 meters for me! Better, I
accomplished what I wanted to with this swim.
I went out aggressively and hard, then settled in, and had a good
swim. Now to the bike, my favorite!
I’ve learned when I start the bike leg, to ride on the
bullhorns for the first two or three minutes.
For readers not sure what I mean by that, the bullhorns are the outer
bars on an aero bike, as opposed to being tucked and in the aero bars. I do this until I feel my breathing is
regulated and I’m ready to tuck and go.
Normally it takes two to three minutes.
It seemed to take 10 this day.
Not sure why, I wasn’t out of breath coming out of the water, and even
if I was 4 minutes in transition would have brought that down. I just had a hard time getting settled. Finally somewhere on Main Street Main Street
I have nicknamed the bike portion of this race the Monopoly
Course. Playing the role of Mediterranean
and Baltic Avenue Chula Vista ’s Main
and Broadway. And as the course
progresses it is just like taking a tour around a Monopoly Board. Eventually we make the final turn on Woods,
which with its gated homes, note I said gated homes, not communities, Woods
starts as Boardwalk!
After Woods you cross Otay Lakes Road Salt Creek Park
On the way out of transition I hit a water station, took a
couple of salt tablets and doused my head to cool my core. It is HOT out here.
At this point the race turned ugly for me. Within two minutes I was gasping for air,
even though I went out “easy.” No way I
should be struggling like this. I run
bricks off of 75 mile rides, where I finish with a hard interval to simulate
race day. I can only think the heat and
humidity were taking full effect. In
short, the run turned into a walk/jog/slog that took me from having a really
good day for me, to a not so good result.
But that is not to say I didn’t like the run course. In fact, I loved it. Oh, it was hard, almost 500 feet of elevation
gain in 6.2 miles is one tough run course, but on nice trails, and right
through the Olympic Training Center.
What great inspiration. Running
by the fields for field hockey, the soccer pitch, softball fields, a BMX jump
right over the trail, and of course, the track and field area. Just think of the athletes that trained
there.
Finally the finish!
Again, some chairs to sit on, get some water both in me and on me. Done and dusted. Great swim, solid bike, lousy run. But a really good event. Huge props to Pulse Endurance Sports and Mike
Drury for putting on a great event.
Mike, I have two suggestions. One, since we do not have T2 access on race
day, I did not leave a fuel belt with fluids; I figured they would be way to
warm. On a hot day, please add a couple
of additional aid stations, and I would have loved to have the cold wet sponges
like they have at Ironman events.
Big thanks to all the volunteers. Hope my transition neighbor who was doing his
first triathlon had a good event.
Gear Used:
Swim – Xterra sleeveless wetsuit and Speedo Rx goggles
Bike – Specialized Transition with Williams 58-85 wheels,
53-39 crank set, and 11-28 cassette.
Run – Asics Nimbus
Kit – Tri Club San
Diego
Next event is my A race for the year, Superfrog, a half-iron
distance race on Coronado , CA
