Santa Cruz, California United States Firstwave Events Overcast

Total Time = 5h 10m 37s Overall Rank = 174/817 Age Group = M35-39 Age Group Rank = 54/146

DW was visiting her uncle in Wisconsin, but my buddy BK agreed to jockstrap. We drove down to Santa Cruz at about 1:30PM. Traffic on the 17 was light so we made it to Depot Park, the location of the expo and transition area just a little before 3pm, the time for the pre-race meeting. As we walked up to the very small expo (aside from registration, maybe 6 booths), I see a woman in the registration line with a day glow pearl izumi cap. I walk over to her and inquire “Jessi?” and it’s her. We chit chat a bit in line as we go through registration. As we finish registration, puellasolis (Anne) from BT and her BF Steve join us. Shortly after that, rjl171 (Richard) from BT asks if we’re the BT group and joins us as well.



We hang around a bit waiting for the pre-race meeting (unknown to us, it was cancelled). At one point we talk about the water temperature, which is supposed to be about 60 degrees (according to one surf report web site, it was 51!). It’s also windy this afternoon, but it’s not supposed to be in the mornings. Before we take off, I ask BK to take a picture of us and see who is up for dinner. We make sure we have cell numbers and such and we go our separate ways.

BK and I scope out the rest of the expo since he’s looking for a wetsuit (he’s done his first tri, has his second this next weekend) and I’m always on the prowl for new gear and goodies. Once we make our way over to the Sports Basement booth, someone asks me if I’m enginerd and I affirm. It’s Atak Kat (Joel) from BT. We chit chat a bit, but he’s headed back to San Mateo for the night and is going to drive in early tomorrow morning when transition opens.

BK and I decided to head over to the boardwalk and beach area to get an idea of where the swim comes out and how the 0.2 mile run from the beach to transition is going to work and where the finish line is supposed to be. At first I thought I would do the jog to transition barefoot, but after checking it out, I decided I’ll stash some flip flops and jog in those. There is some hardpacked sand near the water so that’s where I plan to run during the finish.

As we’re walking toward the beach area, we notice that up one of the streets is the Econo Lodge where we’ll be staying – very convenient, only a couple blocks from the transition area! That sure worked out well.

BK and I check in to the Econo Lodge. Clearly, other triathletes are staying here since most every car has a bike rack or is a BMW or Prius (all staples in the bay area). The room is quite surprisingly large, more of a mini suite, but alas no coffee maker. I fear that my diurnal caffeinated libation will be forsaken tomorrow.

I prep my bike and my clothing and gear. BK and I just lounge around a talk a bit. It’s not too long before I need to figure out what to do for dinner. I’m thinking Italian is the most benign choice for a pre-race meal. I look through the phone book and decide on an innocuous sounding establishment called Ristorante Italiano. They claim to have received recognition as best food in some publication. I call Jessi to see if she’s game (and she in turn calls Anne) and Richard happens to call me at the same time. We all agree to meet at 6:30 at the restaurant.

The restaurant is close, but it’s packed. Our reservation was pushed to 6:45 so we have some time to chat before dinner. It’s also apparent that other race participants have chosen to dine here as well. Our table is called and we’re seated. Service for bread and drinks is speedy, but our entrees take a very long time (about an hour before we finally get them). I have the Pasta “Tutto Buono” (all that is good) as does BK. Richard had the lasagna. Jessi had a chicken pizza. I ate all of my pasta except the sausage and I feel stuffed.

It’s about 8:30 or so and we all head our separate ways. BK and I head over to Trader Joe’s so he can procure some vino and some cliff bars for breakfast, and I acquire some bottled dihydrogen monoxide. Back to the motel, set the alarms, schedule the wakeup calls, perform my nightly ablutions, and I’m asleep.

First alarm goes off at 4:25AM. I just lie there. BK’s alarm goes off at 4:30AM and we both get up. I eat a clif bar, peanut toffee buzz (caffeinated) since I don’t have any coffee. We pump up the tires on my bike, I change, pack up, and we head over to the transition area, which opens at 5AM. Another guy is heading out from the motel and we walk along with him. There are a few dozen people already here. I get a spot right by the bike exit. We see Jessi come in a bit later and say hi. I also say hi to a few others I know from the Y, from bike rides, and from the GGTC as they come in. I’m done setting up for now, so we head back to the room (it’s quite a luxury to be able to go back to the room so easily).

In the parking lot of the motel, a couple women on the search for coffee too and I told them I only knew about Starbucks in town, but didn’t know what was closer. They head off on their quest in their car. In the room, we just kick back and watch some B movie on cable. I have another bar, some water, go to the bathroom. I finish prepping my water and drinks. I grab my wetsuit and we head back to transition.

In transition, I suit up. Some guy comes along and asks whose bike is the one with the disk wheel. I respond. He asks if I have the pump adapter to pump up disks. I said I do. He asks if he can borrow it. I say yes as long as you bring it back (he doesn’t and doesn’t drop it off at any time before I left after the finish of the race. note to self, if someone asks to borrow something, make them bring their equipment over to use it rather than walking away with mine…). We head over to the beach since the pre-race talk takes place at 6:45AM.



At the beach, it’s a little chilly and overcast. We bump into Richard and a few others I know. Richard’s in the first wave, so he needs to line up pretty soon. Soon enough, the horn sounds and his wave is off. I have to go stash my sandals on the other side of the pier where the swim exit is. Many others have done this too. I also leave a small bottle of water with which to rinse my feet. I come back to the race start and it’s time to put in my earplugs, neoprene cap (the water’s cold!), and my red wave cap. I take a quick dip in the water (brrr!) and it’s time to line up for my start.


No warmup for me, unless you call 30 second bit in the water a warmup.