Silicon Valley Olympic Tri – aka “Rematch vs. Old Fart !”

June 24, 2012

This race was notable for me for 2 reasons.  First, it is the real start of my 30^th year of competing in the sport of triathlon.  Did my first tri in Santa Cruz in the summer of 1982.  That was just a few months after I told my running partner that I couldn’t understand why she wanted to do one.  I was a running snob, having started a whopping 6-months earlier.  Anyway, the sport was just in its infancy.  The race flyer literally had to explain that after you swim, you will immediately begin your bike.  Then you will immediately begin your run.  I still have that flyer.

I can’t believe I’ve been doing it for 30 years !

Better move on before I start tearing up.

Ok, so the second item of note is that there was a rematch of Old Fart. Old Fart is a 63-year old age grouper who I’ve seen at lots of races.  He’s hard to miss cuz he looks like a hippie from Santa Cruz.  You may recall that last year I duked it out with him at the California International Tri.  We kept passing and re-passing each other on the bike, and then on the run.  But I opened up a can of whup ass in the final sprint and spanked his wrinkly old ass by 2 seconds!!!  

Anyway, they changed the race course this year due to bacteria problems at Lake Almaden.  So we would swim at the UVAS Reservoir, ride our bikes to Lake Almaden, and then do the regular run course there.  So that meant dropping off our bikes off at UVAS the day before and they set up buses to take us from Lake Almaden to UVAS on race day morning.  That morning I’m on the bus and this guy asks to sit next to me.  Turns out he’s from Pleasanton as well.  Turns out he lives in the same neighborhood as the Ritters.  Turns out he not only knows but is friends with Herb and Cathy.  (Mike Crane).  Small world.

Not much setting up to do when we get to UVAS since I did it the day before.  Chilly!  It’s been a while since I could see my breath.  Starting to regret not bringing arm warmers.  But then I say, “who are you kidding; by the time the race starts and the juices get going, you won’t even notice”.  True.  

The swim waves are starting, so I’m getting ready to get in the water.  A guy standing next to me says “Steve”.  It was another guy from Pleasanton I’ve known for years named Mike Berrigan.  He used to be with the YMCA which ran the Kids Club at Mohr. 

The swim starts and goes very smoothly.  Only a couple of bumps with the guys.  My swimming has been coming along nicely lately.  Before long, I’m passing some folks from the prior swim wave and that psychs me up.  Just after that, a few ladies pass me.  God dammit.

The end is in sight.  Pick up the pace a bit and make it to the very, very long cement ramp.  Get up it finally and into the transition area.  

Swim goal:  Figured I should be able to break 30:00 even though it’s early in the season.

Actual time: 29:36.  (8^th out of 30 in AG)

To the bike, wetsuit off.  You all know I can change clothes fast.  But packing – hmmm, never practiced that.  I guess I’m not a fast packer as it takes me a couple times to get the wetsuit into the bag they provided.  

T1 time:  1:32  (second place in AG)

The bike course reminded me so much of our rides out to The Wall.  No real steep stuff like going up to the False Summit, but lots of inclines nonetheless.  So much for “flat and fast”.  Really tried to work the downhills to make up some time.  Very pretty out there.  Lots of lake views.  The temp was nice.  Just a good day to be out riding.

And who do I see up ahead – why, it’s none other than Old Fart !  Pass him with no prob.  But about 5 minutes later he passes me on an incline.  SONOFABITCH.  Well, he’s standing up on the pedals to really work it going up the hill, so I actually knew I was going to make him my bitch in the end.  Shortly after cresting the incline, I pass Old Fart.  And the rest of the course from there was flat or even slightly downhill, just the way I like it.  I was flying pretty good and never saw him on the bike again.  Hee hee.

Bike goal:  Well I knew 20+ mph was out of range given the course and the winds.

Actual time: 1:15  19.7 Av !!  (8^th)

Quick T2, which consisted mostly of a long run to the bike rack, and then a long run to get out of there.  1:21  (6^th)

The run course is definitely flat and fast.  Thanks to Stu, the run speed has steadily been improving each week.  Just focused on reeling in runners one at a time.  Kept a good turnover. 

After the first mile is a turnaround, and I see Old Fart.  And he sees me.  We both know it’s game on.

I’m really feeling right in the groove. 

7:21

7:04

7:06

7:03

After Mile 4, there was another turnaround.  Old Fart hadn’t really closed gap.  I was still feeling steady.

7:13

7:06

Run time: 44:15  (7:07 av pace)  (6^th)  PR for my run on this course.  (Been doing this race since 2002).

Total time: 2:32  -  5^th place !!!  My best finish place ever in a major race.  

I think all the speedy guys had something else going on last weekend.  Seriously.  I beat the #6 guy by about 1 minute, which is a lot.  But #4 beat me 11 minutes.  But, hey, I won’t lie about it. 5^th place – I was on Cloud 9.  I’ll be relishing that one for a long time.

Saw Old Fart afterwards.  He didn’t seem too talkative.  Got 2^nd in his AG.  Got beat by a 60 year old who finished in 2:28 !!   I'm sure I'll be seeing Old Fart next month.  So far, Steve - 2, Old Fart - 0.