SOMA Race Report

Just pulled in from spending the night in Santa Fe with Smilin' Cody Hanson and family! What a way to top off an incredible weekend! (Cody and S. Babboo are both doing Silverman in a couple of weeks, I worry about their sanity!)

Saturday was bike check in and that was a nice feature. I never saw so many bikes! 1900 registered for the race, I'm not sure how many participated, 1700+ is my guess.
Saw GeekGirl and S Babboo and finally got to meet the Dread Pirate Rackham! Met Debi (SW Trigal) and Hartley the evening before. All really super nice people!

After the athlete meeting I introduced my self to Bob Babbitt, one of he many triathletes that inspired me in my starting on my IM quest. I shared my story with him and he led me over to his booth where he gave a great gift - a copy of "25 Years of the Ironman Triathlon World Championship" book. And it is signed by him and Michelli Jones! How cool is that! Thanks Bob! I got to talk with Bob again at the finish line after the race. His wife did her first 1/2 that day if I got it right. Really nice guy!




The swag included a water bottle, a nice visor, 3 bars, a ready to drink protein shake, and a energy replacement drink and a few smaller odds and ends.

Headed to the blogger meet up at an Italian restaurant. There were a lot of bloggers and Outlaws. It was fun and I wish I had more time to talk with more of them.

Debi (SW TriGal) and Hartley (above)

GeekGirl and Sweet Babboo

Pirate and 21st Century Mom

Me and S. Babboo

Little Jay, Momo, Big J, Andy, Commodore, Stronger, and Bold. I failed to get a pic of Andy #2 and Michael and Mitchi, bummer.

After dinner, I went back and chilled out at the hotel and planned on sleeping in till 4 am but woke up at 2 am, wide awake. So I laid there and visualized the race and tried to relax. The 4 am wake-up call came and I got up, showered, filled the water bottles and left for the race. Got to transition at 5 am (yes, part of my OCPD is that I am compulsively early!). Set up my transition stuff and then went down to the water and meditated for a while and listened to music. The water was 68-70 degrees and I was worried about it since I didn't have a wetsuit (Pete told me to quit whining). I knew I wouldn't have an issue with hypothermia with my insulation, it was the water on the skin that freaked me out. Finally, the call for the first wave to get in the water came, so I went down the steps and was getting ready to get in when I got a tap on my shoulder and turned around to see Nytro with a huge smile! Then Stronger popped out beside her and they both wished me luck, it was great too see them!

My goal was to beat 40 minutes, I pulled 39:35 which included a leisurely stroll to transition!

The mass start was pretty fun, lots of encouragement in the water before the start. I jumped in and yes, it was cold! Took my breath away momentarily. Then I swam a little, went back to the ledge, and repeated this a few times. By the time we started, the water felt fine and I didn't think about the coldness again. Had a couple people cut in front of me and I'm not sure quite where they were heading, but it wasn't towards the next turn buoy! About 100 meters from the finish I lifted my head to sight the final turn buoy, with my mouth open! Big mistake! I took a wave in the face right when I was sucking in a breath and it took me a good minute to fully recover. I never stopped though, and just kept chugging along. Lesson Learned: Keep my mouth shut when sighting! I was slow but steady. I climbed out of the water and saw some of the Outlaws and grinned and strolled into transition.

T1 - 7:13. Sat down, wiped off the feet, got on my sneakers and chugged 350 calories if HEED, Grabbed my bike and headed for the exit. Paused for a pic for Andy on the way out, then mounted the WildeBeast and headed out!

The bike course was supposed to be 28 miles but I think it was a tad longer. My goal was 2:30:00 but I went 2:49:30 due to some slowness on a couple of hills. But, I didn't stop on them and overall it was the best bike I have had so far. I loved it. There was a slight downhill going by the transition area for the second loop and there were so many people cheering! I felt like a rock star! LOL

It was amazing to see so many triathletes! Huge numbers, and they were so fast! And there were a quite few pelotons! Lesson #2 was learned - NEED BUTT-BUTTER! On my second loop, Bold pulled up on his nice BMC bike and we rode together for a bit, then he went on ahead. Saw Jane, Brian, Mitchi, and Hartley on the bike too.

Drank another 300 cals of Heed on the bike and a a gel and lots of water. Rode into T2 and dismounted and headed in. Took more endurolytes and put a couple of gels in my socks but forgot my Endurolytes!

T2 time was 5:35. No too bad. I walk and don't run yet and with the transitino area as big as it was, not too bad of a time.

As soon as I hit the run (walk) I knew I was undernourished. My legs felt fine, it was really hot (97 degrees), but I had no mojo. I made it to the first aid station and drank 2 gatorades and a lot of water, then found shade tree a few minutes later and took a 5 minute break. Some people run and take a walk break, so I figured it would me smart if I walked then took a shade break. I got up and made it to the second aid station and repeated the process. Same for the third aid station. Brian passed again as did Bob Babbitt and Michael who gave me a shot of really cold water and encouragement. I took another shade break and to get some sand out of my shoe when Debi stopped by for a second and confirmed that yes, it was freaking hot out there! Lot's of people were cramping and yes, it seemed like the Bataan Death March!

Nytro pulled up and walked with me a few minutes (she's such a sweet heart!) and I slapped her on the back for good luck and she was soaked! Sweat splattred everywhere! Hot is really an understatement, read the other blogs and it is a major area of discussion.
I made it to the out and back and had another enjoyable shade break, then started again and found some sprinklers and took a quick dousing! Ahh that felt great.
Then Commodore appeared who was walking with a friend of his and he started walking with me. He really helped me pick up the pace which is good, cuz I was slowing down even more. I knew I would make it, but he probably saved me 30-60 minutes! He is a stand-up guy!

Many people encouraged me out on the course, so much so that I couldn't answer all of them as my throat kept getting dry. As he kept saying - "Feel the love!".
Lesson # 3 - Eat more on the bike! I rode for 2:49 and pushed it hard and only had about 700 calories, not enough for a guy my size!

About 1/2 to 3/4 of a mile from the finish, Stronger, Momo and Frankie, and 21st Century Mom came out to join me and I had the best support group you can have! And yes, I felt the love! Met Benny out there too!

I was so happy to see that finish line and to have this race over! 7 hours, 26 minutes and 17 seconds is a long time on a hot course! I was toast!


Hung around the finish line and got to watch Nytro, Debi, and Bold finish. Got to talk with Bob again and met Rainbow and Hoyt, friends of Nyro and Benny.

Above - Bold, Stronger, Momo, Duane, 21 st Century Mom, Benny, Nytro, Hoyt Commodore and Rainbow.

The race was well set up and I was pretty impressed overall. There were some minor things they may have done beter but not much (in my unlearned opinion).

Thanks so much to Stronger for the photos! It was great to meet a lot of my favorite bloggers and some other people too! I am thrilled I finished.

I have now knocked out 5 states in my 50-state quest and completed 5 races this year, one for each decade of my life. Pete and Jess were great and I look forward to working with them through out the winter. In a week or so, Pete and I will lay out 2008's race plan. I hope to do one in Utah (See you there Nytro and Benny!) and New Mexico (see you there Outlaws!). More photos will come in the next day or so!

You bloggers were a huge part of my success this year! You rock! Thank you and a big hug for all of you!