Santa Barbara Triathlon - Long Course - TriathlonLong Course

Started front left at the flag. Was with M45-49 as well, and the guy on my left and right went 1 and 2 in that AG. Went a little wide to the buoy to avoid the scrum. Caught a great draft for the first 1/4 mile, but as we came on the prior wave it broke up, and I lost it. Fought my tendency to swim left and forced myself on the buoy line. There were a lot of folks to swim through and the water was a bit murky, but didn't swim over anyone.

Found another draft at the turn, but he took a wide right line coming back, as the buoys were not lined up well. I took a line directly to the last buoy, but think he still might've beaten me.

Had a good swim. Last year went 27:46 so it was going well.

Not much

Thankfully, they removed the Oceanside-ish looong run into T1. When I went right in I looked back to make sure I wasn't cutting anything... never been a particularly fast T1-er but was 4th AG.

nothing, went pretty smoothly for me

A bit disappointed in the time. Wanted to go 1:45. It's a deceptively hilly course and I wanted to save my legs for the run. On the three climbs did my best to moderate my effort and not blow out my quads. Have to admit to timidity on descents and corners in the wet conditions. Saw several guys with road rash. Add to that I've ridden about 100 miles in the last three weeks, and it was just doing the best I could. I figured if I finished about 2:15 race time I could get 3:45, and I was close to that.

Near the end I sat up and swerved a little, and got a justified "whoa" from the guy behind me. It was Dusty/Fastyellow. Whoops. That would have been embarrassing taking him out (well, more embarrassing at least), as he was on his way to a 3d OA in the aquabike.

I had a bet with a friend, who started in the wave behind me. Loser buys Mac's Fish and Chips on State. Bike was the first opportunity to see where he was. It's more or less an out and back with a lollipop loop at the end. I was hoping to see him on the out and back portion, but it was
not to be, so he was lurking back there somewhere about 5 minutes back.

2011 - 2:03, so a far site better

Train more

Not often my (and others') t2 time is > t1.....Again, 4th AG

nothing

Course is an out and back. Flat for 2 miles, uphill for 2 miles flat, then return. Tough but good course. Ran through the aid stations through mile 4, then started walking them. Was feeling OK, but fighting some cramps. Te hills didn't seem too bad this year. Last year the entire run was a death march, but I was in a bit better shape, a bit lighter, and it was cooler

The turnaround was my chance to see where my fish and chips buddy was. I kept looking for him, knowing that if he was less than five minutes back he was gaining, but more than five, I was in the lead and would have to keep it. Saw him about 1/2 mile in or so, and it was just over 5 minutes. Crap. I have to keep pushing and can't give up.

Going downhill was easier, of course, but it was getting harder. I break this run into sections, the neighborhood, the park, the hill, the parking lot, the pier, etc. Those chunks got smaller and smaller. I haven't wanted to walk - and not walked - so badly in a race in a long time. The only thing that kept me going was the thought I'd be caught, and lose the bet by walking. I refused to let that happen. If I lost, fine, but not walking.....

Just kept focusing on the pier, and finally, finally made it. Walked around ad got gatorade and water to recover. I was watching the clock. His finish was close enough that, whatever happened, it was going to be a matter of seconds. Results came up and I got him by 2:42. I gt him on the swim and a bit on the bike, he outran me but it wasn't enough.

In 2011 went 1:57 s again a much better year.

Seeing the splits, I was shocked and surprised to run a sub 9, which i've only done in Olys and Sprints.

Train more

Walk around and try not to pass out. Collect my first SB Tri tile for 4th, and eat fish and chips :)


One of my favorite races. Low key, tough course, good competition