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.