Wasa Lake Olympic Tri

352/359 overal - 192/195 males - 28/29 M3034OLY - #62 MILLER Randy - 359 51:53 - 308 1:29:41 - 349 1:22:42 - 3:44:14.3

Drive Day

It was a slow day at work Miss C offered to come in early so I could hit the road today instead of rushing on sat. I drove straight to Wasa hoping to get a site at the campground. I had my chunky soup for supper and road the bike to the general store to see what was available. I am still waiting for the attendant to come for my rent.

Pre race day

Slept in this morning but felt good. Drove to Kimberly for breakfast my oatmeal just did not cut it. I was disappointed by the presta center again guess the third time lost its charm. Went back in time to watch one of the kid races then read my book. I was two pages from the end of a chapter when I heard coach's voice. I got my gear from the car and joined the group changing tires. We went to the pro chat about transitions it was not the best I played in the sand out of boredom. Then we swam in the lake and it was amazing my best ever. A quick loop on the bike followed by a short run. My calf didn't like it and made me limp. Zenny noticed. Off we jump in cars to get to package pick up and supper. Food was good and felt good. Back to camp and had a big campfire then to bed.

Race day

I woke up @3:00am and didn't fully get back to sleep till the alarm went off. Packed my tent had breakfast and got going. Found the group and set up transition like I practiced in the camp sight last night. That must have been a site for everyone last night watching me run around. I felt very calm all morning which is new for me on race morning. I had the start time wrong in my head so I thought the group had there wetsuits on early. People helped me get the suit on and I could not figure out why they were in such a rush.

Actually did a warm up swim so I could get cold water on my face so I can get my freekout over with. The swim started and I kept up with people till the first turn. I did get lapped by the fast group but didn't get beat up too bad just before the start of the second lap. I had Laurence near me to start the second lap but not for long. I remember 8:00 to first marker on first lap but on second it was more like 11:00. Then the quick sprinters came through and I got the frag out of the way. Keep in mind I was already wide of the perfect line. But I made it to dry land and walked to my spot fighting to remove the wetsuit and chanted to move myself deliberately. Jen and Zenny cheered me on and took some photos of my “quick” transition. Swim done 0:51:53

The Bike, it was a bit of a headwind going out and uphill so I only passed 2 ladies. On the way back I caught 5 more but I never caught Lawrence though. I did see him just before the turn around, I think he was not that far ahead of me. The short bit of roadway before the bridge is that cursed chip seal pavement. In your car you don’t notice it but on a bike it rattles and vibrates you to your core. I had a C02 cartridge rattle loose and fall off, looking at my times I should have just left it behind and kept going. Bike done 1:29:49

The run, good grief did my feet hurt! You know when you got mud in your rubber boots and it collects under your toes like a unnecessary bit of padding. Yep not good! It took 4km to feel normal again. Chatting with others after apparently that is normal. But I never felt that before and I have done a few races. I walked most of the trail run section and chatted with the volunteers. So by the turnaround 5 of 7 ladies passed me I was able to hold the last 2 of for the final 4km. I realized I felt better on the second half of the bike and the run. Thought it was odd but hey if that means I am trying to negative split then that is a good thing. As I crossed the finish line the announcer missed me and didn’t call my name right away (lame yes but to me it feels good to hear my name) for a fraction of a second I felt like Chapperal all over again. But he made a comment about my jersey and made me smile again. Run done 1:22:42 (3:44:14 total)

Post Race

I got my recovery program going stretching and drinking my beverage. I did eat my lunch like a horse. I realized I need more mental toughness to keep running when the body says no way. I found out in the award presentation is that the volunteers have a contest for best water station. I laughed with many of them. The girl guides with their face paint, the little kids with construction outfits, the mentally “challenged” kids, and my coach’s children. Mike’s daughter must have been dancing to a tune in her own head I didn’t hear a radio, it was funny to watch as I ran towards her corner.

I had saw my former co-workers boat tied up earlier in the weekend. I didn’t think he was around so I wrote a quick note to say hello and was going to put it in his boat. As I walked up to the boat I looked up and saw him sitting under a tree and for a moment had a look on his face that said “what are you doing to my boat” we both did the is that you look and had a good laugh. He offered me a beer and believe it or not I drank the whole thing. He was getting ready to pack up for the weekend so it was a short visit. It was good to see an old friend from the IKEA days.

I had supper with Mike, Jen, Lawrence, Susan, and Zenny all people I met via the running room. I must not have had my head on straight because I could not find the market to get something for the BBQ so I got a Subway Sandwich. Then I got lost trying to find the place they were staying. Mike had to drive down the hill to get me. They all laughed at me and my subway and voted that would be sharing their chicken. We had chicken, Potatoes, Asparagus and Salad with Strawberries in it.

I found a campground just outside Kimberly and pulled in just before the office closed. The ladies that took my money was very pretty and all of a sudden I realized she looked like someone I know and she said the name sounded familiar. I suddenly felt a bit weird that maybe I had been hitting on her cousin or something J It was a very nice campground with showers and a pool that I didn’t use. I drove back on Highway #3 retracing some of the route I used on one of my bike tours.

Now sitting infront of the computer and looking at my numbers I realized that my "disaster" at Lake Chapperal was a faster race time. I had a more enjoyable experience but at a slower time... odd