Boise 70.3 in Juneuary

Let's get one thing out before I begin.

I am happy with this race.

Lately, it seems as though nothing has been able to make me happy. Everyone has to deal with life's curve ball from time to time and although I was pitched several curve balls recently, I wasn't going to let them influence me from doing one of the things left that makes me happy, triathlon.

There was no need to set the alarm clock since the start of the race was scheduled for 12:00. When I did finally get up, the comforting sight of sunlight streaming through my window the morning before was gone. Looking out the window, a 40 deg. hurricane was in the process of steamrolling the poor little city of Boise!

Once we made it to the race start I still had two and a half hours until the start of my wave. There was no shelter anywhere and the conditions were more horrendous up on the hill than in the city. I saw others already in their wetsuits and figured I better do the same. Two hours until my wave starts. I guess we wait now.

As I looked around at everyone in their skimpy wetsuits huddled next to the trucks, under trees, and stairs for what little shelter there was, it was becoming apparent that conditions were getting dangerous. Most people (myself included) were beginning to show the early signs of hypothermia like, loss of coordination, uncontrollable shivering, and some of our lips were looking rather blue. Then the race organizer spoke up announcing that the bike course would be shortened from 56 miles to 15 miles. Conditions on the course were even worse than what they were on the hill and the danger of hypothermia and exposure was just too great. Everyone immediately started grumbling and whining hearing this but deep down, were probably sighing relief.

Finally, our wave was in the water and swimming after what seemed like waiting all day in the cold. Funny, but who knew that 55 degree water could feel warm! More than anything, I swam as hard as I could for the first 400m to work up some heat. I seemed to be making good progress, keeping the few lead swimmers in sight, and then we ran into the other waves. Over, around, through, and even under I swam. I'm not sure why the race organizers decide to send one of the strongest age group waves last but it is what it is and everyone had to work through it. Considering everything on the day, I had a good swim and exited the water right at 30 minutes.

Running out of the water (I think I was running) I couldn't feel my legs. On top of that I have never been so dizzy in my life. I staggering to my bike and drunkenly grabbed for my helmet and glasses. Once I got rolling down the road, I cranked those gears up and rode as hard as I could to get warm! Forget pacing man! This is a 15 mile BALLS ON FIRE time trail, and I need to warm up.

People were actually biking in their wetsuits! Yeah it was really that cold. "But come on guys!" I thought a little way into the bike course. "Let's pass on the left and ride on the right, some of us are actually racing here." Since the swim waves were condensed and the bike was shortened, everybody was mashed together and there was no way the 15 foot draft rule could be followed.

Hopping off the bike, if I thought my feet were cold before, they were really cold now! From the ankle down was completely white. I started running but struggled to find my stride (and feet). It was like I had to learn to run all over again. For the first 5 to 6 miles I was running strong but just couldn't get my cold feet to warm up. Then finally they started tingling which meant blood was starting to flow again. My legs were feeling better and just slightly, I started picking up the pace as best I could.

With a half mile or so to go I passed two guys with a 38 and 37 written on the back of their legs. Since they were in another (age group) race I didn't pay too much attention. But as soon as I passed, one of the guys just sat on my heels. "Okay man whatever." I was feeling pretty fried, as we all do towards the end of one of these things, but started kicking it home to the finish as quick as I could. Then 100m from the line, the 38 year dude on my heels and the other guy come sprinting by me so ridiculously fast it was unbelievable that they had that much left. At the finish I thanked the triathlon Gods that I was still standing and for getting me through that freezing weather in one piece. Now where did I put those dry clothes.

In the end I had a good race considering. Since the course was short and the conditions were awful, I can not compare it to other half iron distance races. But, luckily sticking with my early moderate run pace and slowly increasing the effort, I was able to run up the ranks into 5th place (AG) which qualified me for the Las Vegas 70.3. But interestingly, the two guys that out sprinted me were actually 28 and 27. Damn! those 3's sure look a lot like 2's when smudged and you're tired. Oh well, mission accomplished anyway.