robncircus

So today a friend and I did the Pasadena Triathalon. We decided to do the relay so he did the run and swim while I did the bike. The tri went run - bike - swim and distances were 5k - 15k - 150m respectively. Total race had about 650 participants and 15-20 relay teams.

My friend started witht he 5k run. FWIW he's 42 and finished in a respectful 24 or so minutes. He does trail run races so I guess it wasn't too bad for him. He got to the transition area and gave me the ankle band and I was off. I had to run for a minute through the grass to the mounting area in road shoes so that was interesting. Got to the mounting area and hopped on almost hitting the old man in front of me who couldn't work a toe clip. Got out to the course (about a 15 second ride - during this part passing is not allowed) and started my 3 laps of the Rose Bowl.

Within the first 30 seconds I caught some sort of bark or stick in my rear wheel. I heard it bounce around and my bike felt a bit different but I kept going figuring if I had done serious damage I'd find out soon enough. First lap was good and I ran about 11 minutes. Second and third laps I was finally warmed up and I managed to complete them in about 10 and 9 minutes respectively. I was surprised about the number of tri-bikes that I was passing but then remembered that the bike isn't everyone's strength and they could likely crush me in the run and swim. I gave it the most during the last lap for sure. As I finished the last lap I nearly missed the turn back into the transition area and lost some speed from trying to find it.

Upon entering the road to the transition are (another "no-pass" zone) I was told to slow it down a bit by the marshalls. So I did. Then, some damn jackass cut me off in a left turn (so much for no pass zone). The marshalls had been yelling at him not to cut the corner but he apparently had his own agenda. Whatever.

I got back to transition area and passed along the bracelet to my buddy to do the swim. He took off and finished pretty quickly giving us a total time of 59 minutes. Not bad for people who did little to no training.

While waiting for the awards ceremony to commence I went to put my bike in the car. I immediately realized it didn't roll. Turns out, the branch or whatever I had hit broke a spoke. Bummer. In fact, I have worn the side of the tire almost to the casing where it was hitting the frame. Dual bummer. Lastly, these are new wheels that I've had for about 3 months. Triple bummer.

After all that, I went back to the awards ceremony. My buddy in took 2nd place for relay teams. That was cool. In the end, I am officially hooked and plan to get into the first crit I can find.

Cheers!

Rob

Cliffs: 1st race. Bike leg of triathalon. Took second. Broke a spoke. Hooked.

zzzwillzzz

good work, i saw you the other day (monday) heading south at the top of sepulveda as i was going north. let me know which race you will do. are you doing any group rides now that you're on the other side of the hill?

fauxto nick

Good work man, now we gotta get you doing some crits and road races!

robncircus

Sweet. I generally ride Mondays and Tuesdays. I plan to begin the Lagrange group rides in the AM but to date I have not done one yet.

I lost the link you sent me. Anything going on this weekend?