^{PLACE & TIME:}  Team Soares Relay - 1st

Troy - swim & bike; Robin - run

2:20:27 (21:41-1:07-1:03:21-0:41-53:08)

(Click on pictures to make bigger)

This is our first time to the Folsom International Triathlon (FIT). The run is 10k, a few miles farther than the run at the Lake of the Pines Triathlon last week. I still don't know what's wrong with my foot so instead of pushing it farther we decide to do today's race as a TeamSoares relay! Robin has been ramping up her running since Ariel was born and is ready to go 6.2 miles. I will do the swim and the bike. This will be fun!

The race starts at Nimbus Flats, on the American River near Folsom. It's a beautiful spot and the water is cool and refreshing. We arrive a little late at 6:15 for the 7am start and the still-partially-dark transition area is practically full. I walk the racks until I see our friends Dave Campbell and Carrie Chavez. And there's a open spot on the rack.. but the gear is spread out across both spots. I ask, "Which side are you on?". The woman turns to her friend, "Karen, someone's trying to take our spot." I explain that I'm just asking which side is open but Karen is adamant, "What does it matter? There's no room. We got here at 5:30 to get this spot." I quickly remember that this is a ministry for us. It's Sunday morning. I'm not in church but I should always act like I am. "Ok, have a nice race you guys" and I head off and find a spot up against the fence which works out perfectly for our transition with Ariel. Anna is with Aunt Tracy (my sister) and Ariel will be in the buggy along the fence when I hand off to Robin for the run.

I warm up on the bike looking for the course. I see a woman biking who looks like she knows it well. "Is this the bike course?" "Sure is" she says. I follow and start chatting about the race. Then I pull away and continue on and on along the narrow American River bike path. Where's the big Folsom Blvd? I keep going and going thinking, "This twisting path is going to be crazy with 300 athletes!" Finally, I end up in downtown Folsom 5mi. away. I find my way to the boulevard and time-trial it back to the race still wondering where the course is. I stop at a gas station for the bathroom and tell the guy a big race will be going by soon. He had no idea and was excited to have a race to watch. As I continue on I finally see the cones for the course. I was wrong all along and the gas station guy isn't going to see any bikes. I figured out that the woman I followed was biking the run course instead. Indeed, when I asked her if we were on the bike course, we were, but for only a 100 yds. where I continued following her instead of turning onto the street. So anyway I got a good 10mi warm-up in and even though I'm the last one out of the transition area, I'm in the last wave and still have plenty of time.

Robin and I talk about strategy. I'm going to go as fast as I can, and she's going to try and beat 9 min pace on the run. We stretch with Ariel and talk to Andrea from the Bay Area who has done more triathlons than most people even know of. Also here is our training partner, Dave Campbell, who is always one of the top finishes but is up against a stellar 50+ crowd today including legendary Steve Chavez who wins almost anything he enters. Steve's wife, Carrie, is a really inspirational racer. She has spoken at many Iron Prayer services and it's clear that Christ is working in her life a lot. She has some amazing experiences so if you get a chance, go on a ride and chat with her, you'll have a great week after that!

Brad Kearns is announcing and is funny as ever. He talks about the cold water but I get in for a 5 min warm-up and it's not bad at all. I get a good little burn in my arms and Robin helps me stretch them out. It's almost 8am and my wave is finally up. Robin and I pray for the race and then I'm ready to go.

Go! I start next to Tom and his wife, swimmers from Santa Clara Swim Center where I used to train. But soon they leave me in the dust. I hang on to some drafts till the first buoy but then I'm on my own. The course is a wonderful straight-legged triangle. The water is perfect! It's refreshing and I feel great. I'm focussing on every little detail to get more speed out of my stroke. Pointing toes, quick arms, deep breaths. I'm swimming very straight and no one is in the way. I sprint for the shore, make a good exit, and the wetsuit comes off perfectly… 1 – 2 – 3 – kick – kick. I get some applause and rush to the bike.

I say by to Robin and head off in hopes of getting one of the top bike splits. I forgot my aero water bottle bands to rely on the regular old bottles. It's heating up and I'm already having to drink a lot. The course is great.. flats and gradual climbs for 10 mi to the turn-around. The roads are smooth and open. It could be a fast course for the foothills. After a while I see Carrie Chavez up ahead. I tell her, as I often do, that she's an inspriation and that God is working in her life. She agrees with a smile and I continue on. Then I see a woman with bike problems. I ask her what she needs, hoping for the usual response, "nothing, thanks." but she says, "A tube". I look ahead at the open road calling for me to record a blazing bike split, but quickly realize that my main goal was to follow God's lead today and He was leading me to stop, just like Robin did in the Hawaii Ironman. I hit the brakes. Carrie zooms by, "Do you know her?". I don’t but I do know there's nothing but farmland out here and there's not going to be any bike support to come help her. "You should keep going", the woman says. I give her my tube, inflator and 2 cartridges and ask, "Do you know how to work it?". "I'll figure it out. What's your race number?" I say, "Just give it to the race director" and take off. I'm pumped up to get my great bike split anyway. I'm not concerned that I don't have any flat repair tools anymore. I feel like I'll be fine. I see Carrie up ahead stopping and trying to raise her saddle height. I realize the only tool I have left is an allen wrench used for raising saddle heights. I slow down and tell Carrie but she says her saddle needs 2 wrenches so I'm not able to help. I've had that happen to me and it hurts the knees trying to ride with a seat that keeps dropping. I tell her I'll pray for her ride and take off again. I pass a woman in blue for the 3rd time now and tell her she's doing a good job. Later it turned out to be a friend of ours, Tina Lount-Pretre. I push to the turn-around and get excited that it's all down hill now! I see Carrie going the other way, not far behind. After a few miles we turn down another out-n-back and again I see Carrie not far behind! Amazing, it looks like she's keeping pace with me! I give it all I've got on the way back, really making good time up the rollers. I keep thinking about the memorable CaliforniaMan Relay I did with David Ridder and Paul Cousineau. I think this is part of the bike course he rode, racking up the fastest split of the day. I'm focusiing on spinning with strength. I don't need to save up so give it everything. I finish all my fluids and am still thirsty. But I'm need the transition. I make a great dismount and run to Robin.

Robin almost forgets to take the timing chip but she gets it on quick and gone in a flash. I get to play with Ariel and even go for a little jog with her. Feels great to be done. Robin will do great. I'm so proud of how well she's trained up so quickly.

I'm off! I have no idea what to expect today. It's been a LONG time since I've run fast. Troy has had a great day and I don't want to get us behind on my leg. This course is flat unlike home so I hope that helps me to get my goal pace. Unfortunately I'm already thinking about a possible bathroom break and I hear there's no bathrooms on the course!

Today, I feel the Lord leading me to encourage people around me. I'm running out with a girl that is struggling to put on her race belt. I ask her if she needs help but she's able to get it on. She breathes a sigh of relief and I tell that's she's set now. Where are we going? I remember the online map showed the course going over to the other side of the lake but we are staying on the same side. Oh well, it's nicer over here anyway. I look down at my Garmin and see that I'm running just under 8 min pace. Is that right?! I start dreaming of holding this pace through the whole run. Soon reality hits and it doesn’t feel quite as comfortable. My same old hamstring discomfort is still there. And, wow, it's warm out here! I hit a little hill and it's feels hard to get up it. What's up with that! I've been running Auburn hills and it doesn't seem to make these little guys any easier! I haven't gone a mile yet and I'm already totally thirsty and hungry. Okay, it's all good! Mile 1 is 8:10 with a 156 hra (heart rate average). Not bad!

As I head further out towards the turn-round I see a lot of guys and a few gals coming back. I cheer for them and tell them they are almost done. I see the studly Steve Chavez going home and tell him he looks awesome! I get some water finally and it's nice and cold. Mile 2 is 8:19 with a 160 hra. The course is getting more crowded as people catch up to me and as I approach the turn around. I'm uncomfortable but I force myself to say "alright", "way to go", "go" and clap. I remind myself that labor was way harder than this. Here comes Dave Campbell! I cheer loud for him and he whizzes by. I admire all the hard work he puts into getting to these races.

Mile 3 is 8:31 with a159 hra. I'm seeing a lot of strong women out there. I admire the effort they're putting out there! I finally make the turn around and am happy to be heading home. Here comes Carrie Chavez! She's flying! This is only her fourth Olympic distance event. Her specialty is ½ Ironmans and Full Ironmans but she decided to revisit this distance today. She's heading to the turn around and will no doubt catch me soon. One of Carrie's teammates passes me and I tell her "great job girl".

It's time for a Hammer Gel! My energy is fading and my heart rate is soaring. I take the gel and look ahead to getting water at the next aid station. As I hit the aid station I go to grab a cup from a volunteer's hands and it drops. I take a last minute swipe of a cup on the table and phew, I got it! Mile 4 is 8:34 with a 163 hra. I hope that this bit of nutrition kicks in soon!

I hear someone coming up fast behind me. It's Carrie! She passes like a flash and I tell her "you look awesome girl! Praise God!" I'm feeling better now and decide to push the pace. I want to see if I can get my last few miles at 8 min pace or under. Mile 5 is 8:15 with a 170 hra. I'm pleased but know that the high heart rate may hurt me down the road. Thanks Lord for this wonderful opportunity to get out there again! Thanks for not letting bathroom stops be an issue! If it be Your will, please let my energy last! I keep cheering folks going both directions. The heat is making it tough for all of us but it doesn't stop some people from smiling and encouraging me back.

Now I'm running off road…fun! I'm almost done and close to under 8 min pace! My hamstring is still sore but I push as much as I can. There's more little hills here and it's tough getting up them. My heart rate is soaring still but I feel the Lord is with me even if I bonk! I hit mile 6 at 8:03 (with a 173 hra)…so close! I cannot wait to see Troy and Ariel at the finish! As I round the last corner and head home I hear ex-pro Brad Kearns MC'ing at the finish. I can hear him talking about Troy and I…what a guy! There's Troy and Ariel! I hug Troy! We had a lot of fun! I'm so glad we got to compete together.

We hang out after the race to eat food and socialize. We spend time with Dave and his wife Francie. We also get to talk to a family, the Messersmiths, we met at Angels Camp a few years back. I run over and check the results and am pleasantly surprised to see us as first! Wow! Thanks God!! We got an abundance of great schwag and distribute it to Messersmiths and later to our awesome neighbors the Malicoats. Again, what a day!

Go Steve!

Go Dave!

Go Carrie!