Race Report Paradise Triathlon  

Boy, from the comments on yesterdays post, there sure are a lot of bored people out there, posting that they are looking forward to my race report. Either that, or they are trying to make me feel good, OR, they really are interested in triathlon.

A couple of things about this race. It was the first annual for the town of Paradise. And the weather on race morning was excellent. Cloudy, and warm with light winds. I got there early, set up my transition, went for a quick swim warmup, then back to the finish area for a quick briefing.

The race director gave some instructions for the routes including instructions not to go off the main trail at about 3.5k into the run, and onto a private trail over a small stream. THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR LATER.

THE SWIM

Overcast skies, and low winds meant excellent swim conditions. The pond was flat, and visibility was good, but this was the roughest swim start I was ever involved in. Including Ironman Florida. I was punched, kicked, and swam over, but at the end, I was on the beach in 13:26.

THE BIKE

3 loops for 21k. I got out quickly, and grouped up with a couple of my agegroup peers. We all traded off a couple of times, I couldn’t shake any of them including RB.In 8 years of racing, I only beat him in 1 race. Last year at Ironman Newfoundland 70.3. On loop 3, I started to fade, and lost the group, but I was still having a solid ride. Into T2 in 43 minutes.

THE RUN

I was out of T in under 20 seconds, and onto the trail. Doing a trail run around Octagon Pond meant soft footing and little traffic, but limited visability. There was no way to see who you were chasing until one out and back section at about 2k, I was behind all my usual peers, but making ground on the closest 3. I was running hard, keeping my stride short, and my turnover high. Then at the afore mentioned private trail, and bridge, out came RB. He had taken that forewarned trail, and went off course long enough for me to catch him. We ran neck and neck for about a half km, until I pulled away. I tried to break away and put distance between us, but after I passed him, I couldn’t see him. When I reached about 200m to the finish, I thought I had it until about 50m left, and one of the spectators yelled he was catching me. When I turned for a peak, he darted past me and beat me to the line.

THE FINISH

It was so close, and RB and I pushed each other to a 1:23. I really would have liked to jump up a spot in the agegroup. But upon reflection, I was really pleased with the effort. Good swim, solid bike, and a very good run. We finished with a BBQ at the community centre. I’ll have a couple of more chances to make move up in my age group. Can’t wait for Carbonear.