^{PLACE & TIME:} 

Hill Climb -

Run -

10K: Troy Soares - 2nd, 46:00; Robin Soares - 1st, 53:02

10M: Dave Campbell - 1st, 1:12:36

Everyone meets at our house in Auburn for the new Bike-Run Challenge! Total turn-out: 4 (Dave Malicoat from next door, Dave Campbell from Lake of the Pines-Auburn, and Robin & I). The Rose Bowl parade is playing and Dave Campbell's wife Francine will watch Anna while we race. Robin has prepared snacks for our transition time between bike and run.

The bikes are ready and the troops dress warmly. The sun is bright but the January air is chilly. We start out with an up-and-down section of the Auburn Triathlon and then descend a 1000' drop into the American River ravine on Hwy 49. After 6 miles, we're at the start and shed a few clothes. As we look around it turns out there are others challenging themselves on this New Year's morning. Kayakers are seen on a river section which has been closed for years but opened for a small group only today. One of the river-riders turns out to be Dr. Leve, Robin's obstetrician. Also gathering at this river confluence is a band of mountain bikers doing their annual trail ride. Leading the group is Dan Tebbs, the Victory Velo local bike shop owner. Both of those groups are photographed for the Auburn Journal the next day, but our outing didn't make the print.

The climb will be 2 stages totaling 1200' in 4 mi for an average grade of 7.1%. The first stage is 3.3 mi followed by a short .7 mi climb. Last year's climb up Page Mill Rd was 2040' in 8.5 mi. After careful calculations and research of age-group placings, I came up with the following handicapping:

(For more details)

Robin is 5 weeks pregnant so is the first one to start with her 8 min handicap. As she disappears around the first bend into the bright sun, Dave and Dave ready themselves for their start. Dave M. is a 12-time Death Ride participant, but in the 2nd half of the year, he's a water-skier and therefore hasn't been on his bike in a while. Dave C. is a star short-course triathlete. He is known to not have an off-season, instead training right through the cold of winter. Still, it should be a close race. 4 min after Robin started, Dave and Dave are now on their way!

I wait alone for my starting time. 4 min after Dave and Dave seems incredibly long. I stretch, do some warm-up spinning and wait anxiously for the clock. Finally, I take off fast, concerned about making up the 4 min deficit. But I know I have the advantage of doing this climb once a week on my lunch-time ride. I know where to recover and where to sprint to cut extra time. A mile into the climb I can see 2 bikes far ahead, winding up the mountainside above the middle fork of the American River. I keep hammering with my head down, but then I feel pain start in my legs. Its cramps from going out too fast. I push on. After 2 miles I'm surprised to see Dave M. all alone. After the pass I feel exhausted, but I can't let him know I'm suffering. I hit a fairly flat section and do the best sprint I can. Now for one more steep pitch to the finish, and still no sign of Dave C or Robin. Wow, they're both at the top already! Dave C left his handicap unused as he went for a straight-up fastest time effort. Results as follows:

We recovered briefly then coasted down Foresthill Rd and across California's tallest (700 ft) bridge! At the far side of the bridge we stop to begin the final climb in the same order we finished the first climb. Dave C is the first to start. All we can hope is that his earlier effort causes him to really slow down this time. The challenge is based on the placing, not the time, so I need to pass Robin and Dave C to move into 1st. Robin takes off next and I have to wait another 2 minutes. Dave M starts shortly after me. We all push hard on this short section but it is uneventful as no positions change. Dave C maintains his 1st place in the cycling portion of the challenge.

Now we head home for snacks and pre-recorded Rose Bowl Parade viewing. We transition into running gear. Dave M's family (Dawn and Sam) come over to join us. The overall challenge today is won by the person with the lowest combined placings of the cycling and running events. The run is Auburn's annual Resolution Run which starts in a couple hours at noon. There are 5k, 10k, and 10mi options and all are extremely hilly routes into the never-built Auburn Dam site. Dave M has many athletic pastimes but his favorite isn't running so he's opting out of the run and accepting the default mid-pack placing.

We head to the Auburn Dam Overlook and meet up with a large crowd. Dave C chooses the 10 mile. Robin and I choose the 10k. Dave C and Robin are leading the challenge with their 1st and 2nd place finishes. Dave is going for a minimum 2nd place finish assuming Robin might finish with a 1st place. This would at least force a tie.

The run race starts with an extreme drop into the ravine. I'm good at the downhill but some guy goes flying by me yelling at the top of his lungs. Wow, that's crazy. He makes up good time on the field but I imagine what a fall could look like at that speed. My shoelaces come un-done! Rookie mistake not double-knotting. I stop and then spend a few minutes trying to make up my losses.

We reach the bottom and now have some serious climbing. I keep positive despite the gasping for air. I'm thankful to God that my foot is doing well so that I CAN push my body like this. It's a privilege. On the out-n-back I see that I'm in 4th place overall. I encourage the others and start to find my rhythm. It's fairly flat now which is a relief. I see Robin in 3rd place for the women. She's making sure to not push so hard that she can't talk comfortably and keep smiling. This keeps the baby happy.

With a mile to go we head up the Western States Trail to the finish. It's a gut-wrenching climb. Wow, I'm so glad to finish, 2nd in my age, and then spend some time catching my breath. Then Anna and I go looking for mommy.

(ROBIN'S RACE) Ready, set, go!  We're all off: 5Kers, 10Kers and 10Mers.  The first mile is downhill so legs are flying everywhere!  The 10 milers split off from us and we head down towards the river.  I see Troy for a bit and then he's gone.  I take advantage of the speed and have a fast first mile, 7:03.  Quite a few girls are ahead of me and I'm trying not to focus on that.  I need to run a smart and comfortable race.

We're climbing in the next mile.  My legs feel tired from the ride.  That combined with a rocky and sometimes muddy trail is a challenge.  Surprisingly the rest of me feels great!  I just enjoy the beautiful scenery that's in my backyard.  Mile 2 is 9:08. 

The next mile is slightly rolling and I start to find my rhythm in my legs.  I'm going back a forth with some high school girls in this next mile.  I encourage them every time I pass.  Mile 3 is 8:32. 

I'm really feeling great now.  I pass the high school girls and catch up to some other girls.  The next section is out and back.  It's a bit muddy but flat.  I pick up the pace and take advantage of the break from the hills.  I wonder how many girls are in front of me...we'll see.  The top runners are heading back.  I give each runner that passes me a "good job" and a smile.  Everyone is smiling back though they are working hard.  I see the top girl coming back.  Wow, she's flying.  I tell her that she looks great.  I'll see her at the finish.  I have nothing to prove today.  I'm just enjoying this fun day the Lord has given me.  I see there are two more girls coming.  They're just a little bit ahead.  I tell them good job.  The competitive side of me tells me to go get them.  I push a bit knowing that my heartrate will be lower on the flats.  When I get to the hills again I'll have to see what's going on.  I'm almost to the next hill and I hit Mile 4, 8:09. 

The next hill is really muddy and steep.  I see the two girls walking.  I focus on continuing to run all the way up even though it's slow.  There's a great downhill on the other side and I can see the girls have taken advantage...they're nowhere in sight!  I use the free speed too.  I hope to see the girls when we hit the next set of hills.  Mile 5 is 8:54.

I know this last section pretty well.  The trail is quite narrow and there are lots of hills.  I see the girls ahead.  They are side by side.  I'm tempted to floor it and go for it especially when I see them walking the hills.  I'm still feeling good but I'm trying to hold back and keep the heartrate down.  I just keep going steady up the hills and I'm hoping there are just enough hills to pass them.  There are walkers from the 5K on the trail and they are so kind to let me pass.  I tell them thanks and good job.  I'm finally able to pass one of the girls and I encourage her to keep pushing.  I keep my eyes on the next girl and catch up to her too.  I encourage her too as I go by.  Thanks God!!  I cannot believe how great I feel!  There are a few short hills to climb and I'm home free.  Mile 6 is 9:52.

I'm out of the woods and trails now and heading up to the finish line.  Troy and Anna are there cheering for me.  I wonder if either of the girls are behind me.  I know I shouldn't sprint to the finish so I stay steady and hope I can make it...if I don't, it was a good effort(=  I cross the finish line in the same position.  Thank you Lord!!  What a race You gave me!  My time is 53:02.  I'm totally satisfied(=

There she is, 1st for the women, even with running controlled. Now Dave needs a 1st place to win this TeamSoares challenge. Finally, we see him. After 10 mi and 2000 ft of climbing, Dave finishes in 1st place by only 30 seconds!

We all celebrated at pizza in Old Town Auburn. Dave Campbell was the overall winner and took home a race belt and 2 bike tubes for his winnings.