So there it was the Championship 2005, I was calm and controlled... ready to race. And then it changed... the beat of the drums really got to me... with goose bumps I entered the water, 120 athletes treading water knowing that in mere seconds a elbow/fist battle would start!
THE COURSE
Swim - a 2 loop swim for a total of 1.5km with a swimming start in the ocean in front of Waikiki beach
Bike - a 1 loop 40km ride from the swim over Diamond Head to Koko Head with strong head winds going out that occasionally side swipe you. A lot easier on the way back with the wind in your back going downhill at 40+ mph
Run - a 2 loop 10km run around the park and over the Waikiki beach finishing in the park. Weather was not too bad with low 80's F (high 20s C). There were lots of Dutch folks that were suprised to see the 'Orange' and cheered us on
RACE REPORT
Like all my races this year it was a tough swim for me and the results were showing it. The course had so many athletes swimming that I literally had to crawl over other people and had other people crawl over me. I once again got stuck, elbowed and bruised at the back of the pack. It was a fight... next time... next time...
The bike went a lot smoother and it felt good to catch some folks back although my legs were quite tired at the end of the season. My '2:1 rule' still held up though (for every person passing me I have to catch two). It was quite a nice course.
The two loops of 5k on the run was the best of all with a new tri-race PR. On the 2nd loop I started to really enjoy it by waving to the Dutch crowds and doing crazy things.
RESULTS
Swim --------- 0:26:33
t1 ------------ 0:01:27 (est)
Bike ---------- 1:05:00
t2 ------------ 0:01:08
Run ---------- 0:40:44 (PR in a race)
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Total --------- 2:14:51 (overall race PR by 1 minute and 58 sec)
Overall ------- 432 (out of 1739)
Age group ---- 78th (out of 124)
I was quite happy with my result as it meets my set target of hitting a Personal Record by beating 2:15. I am excited to know that there are a lot more improvements possible to get more competitive for next years race in Lausanne, Switserland.
BUT THERE IS MORE...
I was racing with a great team, with my buddy Eric who ran a superfast 38min 10k, my friend Kim finished highest of all of us and made the American team and my friend Tami raced to one of the fastest bike splits among the women. But the main event was undoubtly coach Pete becoming once again World Champion for the fourth time in his life and in every age group he has appeared in as an amateur (30-34, 35-39, 40-44). It is truly amazing to see him perform at such a high level and have the opportunity to learn from him.
