^{PLACE & TIME:}  Troy - 3rd; 23 Overall;

We're driving to San Francisco, the day before the San Francisco Triathlon (previously known as the Triathlon at Treasure Island).  I'm excited to see what happens.  Although I'm not in great shape, it will be a base-point, something to measure the rest of my season by.  Since Robin finished the Hawaii Ironman last month, she has designated the next year as my chance to see what I can do.  Oh boy, this sounds hard.  I guess I better get started.

On the way, we hear that a terrible oil spill in the Bay has closed the beaches!  A Korean tanker clipped the Bay Bridge and lost its load.  It's sad because the Bay, as beautiful as it is, already struggles with pollution.

We arrive at the island.  I register for the race and Robin & Anna check in at the Expo.  I'm not surprised to find out that the swim is cancelled.  There's an oil slick that stretches from the Island to the Golden Gate Bridge and many birds have already died from the toxic sludge.   I did want to try out my new wetsuit, but it's also nice not having to brave the cold water.

Anna & I look at the swim start where the large constructed platforms and stairs are already being removed from the rocks.  It looked to be a dramatic swim start.  This race is one of a series leading to the Olympics in '08 in Beijing.  The best triathletes in the nation are here trying to qualify.  For them the swim is an important factor because it can allow some of them to break-away into the lead pack of cyclists.  Drafting is allowed for these pros so once in the lead, it's easier to stay in the lead.

I talk to some athletes and spectators.  Many seem upset at the cancellation of the swim.  Some think it's unwarranted.  Even saying, "It won't hurt us."  Swimming in crude oil?  I think I'd rather not.

We are a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) Endurance Team which is a great organization set on sharing the news of Christ, bringing Christians together in the sport, and setting an example of racing with integrity and love.  The race organization, Tri-California, allowed us a booth in the Expo.  Robin has just finished setting it up with information, flyers, announcements, and Bibles.  Many people stop by during the weekend, including Olympian, Barb Lindquist.

I go for a ride on the course.  It's very technical with many tight turns.  The roads are rough in places so I'm glad I have a chance to practice beforehand.  I also run a little and my foot is feeling ok.  I see some of the pro's running and overhear one of them saying, "Just once, what if they announced, 'It's a swim-bike-swim… double-points!', how would they like that?"  It makes me feel for the strong swimmers trying to make it to the Olympics.  Because of the cancelled swim, they have announced a run-bike-run instead and many of the athletes are happy about this because they are strong runners.  In fact, there is talk that this race will count double towards the overall standings.  I can see why the "swimmers" wish for a swim-bike-swim… but that'll never happen probably.

It's race morning!  We leave our hotel in Oakland and get to Treasure Island by 6am.  It's foggy and cool.  While warming up on the bike, I see Jami and Sherwick arrive.

Before my race starts, I watch the earlier waves take off to see how it works.  Everyone starts at the swim exit and sprints to their bikes before heading out on the course.  It's called a LeMans start and is often done in mountain bike and motorcycle races in order to separate the field at the beginning.  It's pretty exciting.  The first 10 guys make it out ok but then the masses get bottlenecked at the transition exit.  You've got to sprint and transition quickly.  Robin says I can do it but I doubt her, sighting my bad foot and lack of track workouts.  The other option is to wait. Because your time doesn't start until you cross the line, you can actually wait until everyone clears out of the transition area and then start!  This sounds like a smart idea.  But as my wave gets ready to go, I realize, as crazy as it might be, that this is an exciting opportunity to try a Lemans start and I should mix-it-up like the rest of them.  So I toe the line right up front next to Kiet Tran, one of the fastest runners there.  This is going to be quick and crazy.

Go!  I jump off the line as fast as my bare feet can carry me.  Kiet falters.  I'm actually in the lead at 20 yds.  One guy sprints by me and then I turn into my row of bikes.  My shoes and glasses are already on the bike so I can put them on later when I'm rolling.  All I have to do is buckle my helmet as fast as possible.  I grab my bike and run for the exit.   I see Robin, Anna, Jami & Sherwick cheering as I run out in 2^nd place!  Wow, that was exciting.

On the course, I focus on taking the turns well and riding over the bumps as fast as I can.  My Garmin speedometer stops working because of the bumps.  Kiet passes me.  "Hey, Kiet, it's about time".  I try to keep up with him.  Normally he'd be way ahead because he's such a fast swimmer.  We have to go around 6 times, so I start counting every time I go up the hill.  1,  2,  3, …   I'm starting to get tired but try even harder thanks to the cheering of my supporters.   The hard parts are into the wind, so I try to maximize the speed in the down-wind sections.  I take the corners faster and faster as I learn each one better.  I go a little too fast on the last one and thought I was going to hit the photographer perched on the outside.  Whew, I'm ok.

 On the last loop I see that Kiet is only 20 secs ahead which is pretty good for me.  Coming in to the finish I stretch my legs as I coast into the transition chute.   I jump off the bike and run with that strange feeling of cold feet on rough pavement.  You know it hurts but you can't feel it.  I start the 10k run but don't feel fast.  I'm stiff.  It takes 1 mile before I speed up a little.  I focus on remembering God, looking up to Him, and also encouraging others around me.  I see Kiet way ahead coming back.  It's a 3x out-and-back course.  On the 2^nd out-and-back I'm feeling better and so happy to be running so much faster than usual.  In training, I struggle just to jog sometimes, so being able to run fast during the race is such a blessing to me.  I look up and see the grand Bay Bridge looming above.  The sun is out and the Bay is sparkling, even with the oil contamination.  I thank God for this opportunity and the body He's given me.

At the turn-around, the announcer calls out my name and mentions the FCA-Endurance motto on my jersey, "Why do you race?", which reminds me to remember it's all about God.   Sherwick and Jami cheer me on and Robin tells me, "Don't leave anything on the course!"  That means give it all I've got.  So I dig deep and use all the tricks I know to move faster down the road.  1mi to go!  I'm going even faster now and can't wait to be done.  I know it's going to hurt the next day but I feel like God wants me to do the best I can.  There's the finish line!  I high-five Anna and sprint the rest of the way.

Thank you, Lord, it was a great race!  I actually placed 3^rd in my age about 3 min behind Kiet and, unknowingly, just seconds ahead of a few other guys.  I'm very sore but also very thankful and excited about future training and racing.  I have an incredibly supportive wife and many inspiring friends.