RACE REPORT: OBX Tri/Duathlon Race

Submitted By: Eric Pate

As many of you know, Steve Cooper and I headed to Nags Head this weekend for the OBX Triathlon. Please keep in mind that we are both Tri novices (this being my first). We have both put in good training hours and both of us had to teach ourselves to bike and swim in a short period of time. Needless to say as the race weekend approached I started having the “first-timer” feelings that many of us are familiar with. You finish a run workout feeling top of the world great and jump in the pool and feel completely inferior (or vice versa). Well throw in a Cat 3 hurricane 500 miles off the coast churning up 15’ waves to add to the fun and I was spastic. When we arrived at the beach, the ocean was so violent that it was spewing mist that covered the beach, enveloped the dunes and fogged the road. I have never seen a mist like this on the beach before, it was mucho intimidating.

Until 6:00 pm Saturday evening before the race no announcement was made on the swim. Finally at the Outer Banks YMCA at about 6:15 pm we learned that all our swim training would not matter in this event, it is now a duathlon. The format was changed to 2 mi run, 13.5 mi bike, 2 mi run. Yay! Who wouldn’t want to do that? I have to say I was relieved and disappointed at the same time. I really didn’t want drown in those vicious currents, but I have spent many hours in the pool and some open water training.

Well, race morning arrives and Steve and I decide we’re close enough to ride our bikes to the start; however we underestimated the distance and arrived as the National Anthem started. We get marked, stash our bikes at the TA and it’s time to start running! The humidity was about 200% due to the hurricane system to the east and a huge thunderstorm system coming in from the west so the run was a little on the south of comfortable. I had a strong run (guess those lunch-time speed workouts paid some dividends). My 1st transition time was pretty slow, but I made it on my bike and onto the course and even went in the right direction!

About 3 miles into the ride, I looked around and realized that my anxiety was gone and I was having an absolute great time. I am definitely a novice on the bike, but I passed people more times than I was passed and I was completely happy with that. At the halfway point turnaround my inexperience cost me. I was trying to eat an energy gel while riding and lost several items on the road. I dismounted to retrieve them and lost some serious time, but I still enjoyed the ride. Approaching the TA, I missed the correct turn-in which lost more precious time.

My second transition was quicker, but I left my bike gloves on and almost ran with my helmet (that would have made for some cute pictures). The 2nd run was much more difficult, but I still stayed under 8 minute miles, so I won’t complain. Approaching the finish line I finally passed this 6’ 6” guy who looked like he just missed the Olympic Trials or something. We had been passing each other throughout the race and it felt good to get by him, but he somehow snuck by me and finished a few seconds ahead of me. During the 2nd run I ran into a familiar face: Mary Whitwell was out there slugging it out!

At the awards ceremony later, I found out that I was one minute out of 3rd place in the Clydesdales and felt a little remorse at the stupid mistakes that cost me time, but overall I was happy with my performance and with the entire event. Cooper, as is normal, powered his way through and finished in 1:13:50. I was a few minutes behind him at 1:18:21. Both times are respectable and we walked away with a great feeling. Mary finished between us and took 1st place in her age group. That’s pretty impressive considering her favorite event was omitted! Thanks to everyone who helped with advice and training. Also thanks to my family and the Cooper family for a fun weekend.

Gold's Gym Water Park 5k Results

While many of us were running trails, or racing at the beach, two of the RMEC Masters snuck down the road to Greenville for a race at the Gold's Gym Water Park 5k. The race gets it's name, becuase runners are invited to jump in the pool to refresh after the run.

Ashley Bass and Brian Lankford, have been training hard in preparation for the Second Empire Race Series in Raleigh. This weekends 5k, was one final tuneup beofre the series begins.

Ashley had a very good race coming in 4th overall, and 1st in his age group with a time of 18:02. I expect a sub-18 performance will be seen very soon. Only 42 seconds behind came Brian in 6th place with a time of 18:44 also first in his age group. It was a hot and humid race but you would never know it by looking at their results! We all look forward to tracking your performances through out the Second Empire Series.

RUN RSVP: Saturday 08/22

This weekend the RMEC will set out on an adventure for our long run. Instead of meeting at the Teeter, we will travel 25 minutes down the road to Hollister and participate in the Medoc Meltdown. Frank is expecting over 40 runners!

If you are follow the MCM long run schedule you will be running 10 or 18 miles. Those only planning to run one 20-miler in their training have a recovery week. Those doing three 20+ milers are to 18. Bottom line. . . run whatever is comfortable to you.

Run Details:

• Where: Saturday, 7:00 am @ Medoc Mountain
• Supported: Bring Your Own
• Weather: Forecast
• Routes: Map

If you have not run trails before, I suggest ignoring your watch and just enjoying the run. Trails are different, but not in a bad way. When running the roads, you take for granted that your next step is just like your last. In fact you could probably close your eyes, and run 10 steps without having a problem, although I really don't suggest trying that.

On the trails, you are always planning your next step. It makes running more of a mental challenge, which adds to the excitement. If you have not run Medoc, don't panic. The trails are not that difficult. There are no rocks to climb, or streams to jump. In fact you can run the trails pretty fast. . . that is why you need to be careful.

If you are on the fence, bite the bullet and come run! You will be glad you did. You don't need special shoes or any special gear (although bug spray is a good idea). Just come out and enjoy the adventure! It is a fun and friendly introduction to trails.

Please RSVP even if Frank already knows you are coming. Non RMEC members are welcome!. Please post a comment. If you are interested in carpooling from the Teeter, let people know, but it will be important that you let the know how long you plan to be at the park.

Marine Corps Marathon Transfers

In case you missed it, the Marine Corps Marathon has announce their 2009 Transfer Policy. Participants registered for the MCM may transfer their registration to another person between now and September 21. The process includes filling out the transferor and transferee forms as well as a $25 processing fee. Learn more about the process. Click here to access the transfer form.

If you are looking for an entry or need to give yours up, post a comment here. I believe there are 33 from our group signed up currently, so there may be some opportunities. You can also occasionally find people looking to give their spot up on running forums. In fact the facebook MCM group has almost 4,000 members. There is probably a good chance to find an entry there.

Carol Stands on the Podium!

This past weekend Carol and Andy snuck off to the Mayo Lake Sprint Triathlon. This is another great event put on by Finish Strong. Carol is really taking well to her triathlon training. It is a rare day when you don't see she and Andy at the Y, swimming, running, or cycling. All of that hard work is paying off!

The event had over 280 athletes registered. Carol finished 84th among women, but more importantly, she was first in her age group with a time of 2:01:36. She was strong across the board, but she shined the most in the swim where she was 68th amonth all women. She moved well on the bike averaging 15.3 MPH, and then had a solid trail run.

Andy also had a strong performance, only missing the podium by one place! His time of 1:51:17 earned him a 4th place age group finish. Although his times were strong in the run, Andy says he was challenged by the rooty trails of the course. I am sure that things will go much better at the Medoc Meltdown on Saturday.

If you are not familiar with Finish Strong, they host several sprint triathlons around North Carolina. Next week they are hosting the OBX Tri of which Steve Cooper and Eric Pate are participating in. Their are events are becoming bigger in size every year, but they still have a personal feel. It is a great way to get involved in triathlons.

Ladies. . . Looking to do a Triathalon?

Endurance Magazine will be releasing 25 new $75 Ramblin Rose participant slots this Friday April 21st at Inside-Out Sports locations in Charlotte and Cary, NC during their *Ladies Night Event* which is designed to get women excited for the beginning of the 2009 Ramblin Rose Women Only Triathlon Tour. Check out the details online.

If you are not familiar with the Ramblin Rose, it is a great event for any woman wanted to give triathlons a try. All distances are short, and the swim in in a pool. You can use any swim suit, and any bike. The swim is only 250 yards, the bike in 9 miles, and the run is 2 miles.

If you are interested, post a comment. You very well may encourage someone else. You may not consider yourself a triathlete, but it just takes one to get hooked.

Food for Thought

Here is some more food for thought. I see more and more of you are out in the early moring for your runs. I thought this quoute applied well.

Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows that it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter... whether you're a lion or a gazelle when the sun comes up you'd better be running. -Anon