Iron News Man - October 5, 2009
Iron News Man
I’m feeling so alive this morning! The Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon was a wonderful challenge! I think there are two stories coming out of the event: weather and water!
Forecasters had expected clouds and drizzle for the LA Tri. Instead, we had sunshine and wind. In fact, it was a beautiful day with nearly perfect race temps! The water was 68 degrees, which turned out to be even warmer than the air for the swim start.
Now, about the water… WOW! I’m not experienced enough as a triathlete to know how yesterday’s swim conditions stacked-up to a “typical” ocean swim. However, according to the people I spoke with who’ve competed in the Los Angeles Triathlon for years, yesterday’s swim was THE TOUGHEST in the history of the triathlon!
A consistent problem for each wave start was misjudging the strength of the current and the size of the waves. It was common to see people enter the water too close to the buoy. Many swimmers were pushed to the inside of the buoy and had to swim back to shore, then re-enter farther down the beach (two and three times)! My race wave was 12 so I had the benefit of learning from the mistakes made by previous waves.
My heart was racing at the swim start! I was so uncertain about overcoming the current and the waves. Turns out my strategy of entering the water far down from the buoy and letting the current push me toward the buoy (and then parallel to the beach) was right on-target! I finished 8th in the Clydesdale Division out of 30 with a time of 2:55. My transition times were awful! But, having my shoes double knotted didn’t help. Forgot to untie them :)
All in all, I’m pleased with my performance. I faced a new challenge with the swim conditions and met that challenge. I enjoyed the race and thought it highlighted the City of Angels well! I look forward to making the Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Triathlon part of my annual race schedule. Well done to all involved!
Today is a rest day from my Ironman Training. No cardio and no swimming, biking, or running. However, I will weight train. Gotta stay strong!
I have a few minor events leading up to Ironman Arizona. I’m doing the Bike Tour of the Long Beach Marathon. It was my first marathon and because of that fond memory I wanted to support the event. I will also run the Nike Human Race toward the end of October. However, without question, my focus is now squarely on Ironman Arizona. I can think of little else!
Be sure to check out the latest editions to my picture gallery. Photographer Rich Cruse once again did a spectacular job! I’m most impressed with the picture of the massive wave approaching the Pro Triathletes. I think it captures the moment and the spirit of this year’s Los Angeles Triathlon perfectly. Anyone who finished that swim has an inner fire!
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