^{PLACE & TIME:}  Troy 1st in Long...no official results  - 1:25 (17:00- 1:11-43:39-1:22-26:00)

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The Lake of the Pines Triathlon is a small local event in a fun lake-centered neighborhood community.  I've raced it since 1996.  After getting quite large, they have now limited it to residents & guests only.  The crowd is smaller and plenty of transition spots are available.  Dave Campbell points me to a good one near his bike.  Dave & I will fiercely compete as usual, especially in the swim.  He’s 53 but still faster than most 30-year-olds.  I warm up on the bike once around the lake (a higher seat position is working better for me) and then a short run.  Dave yells, "hey, no warming up, that's cheating". Yes, it does help me go faster.  The race isn't timed and there are no awards, but I’ve learned long ago that a race should always be “raced”.  You never know what will happen.  If someone beats you, they want to know you gave it your best, and if you happen to just miss a goal you always wanted, you’ll wish you had given it your best.

Robin & I warm up together in the swim.  Dave’s daughter, Annie, watches the girls.  Robin is doing the swim for the Relay team of Dave Campbell's wife, Francie, and son-in-law, Steve.  The water is warm & clear.. great for swimming;  Almost too warm for wetsuits, but, to keep up with Dave, we need them.

Go!  We run down the beach, splash into the water, and, within strokes, come upon the rope bordering the beach swim area.  I go under it, some go over it, but Robin & others get hung up on it for a moment.  Robin wanted to stay drafting behind us but the rope has upset that plan.  I'm leading Dave but, as I expected, he now pulls to the lead.  As usual, I’m trying to stay in his draft, and he’s zig-zagging slightly.  But the lead female is way off course and Dave goes after her.  I decide to go my own way and bee-line it to the turn-around bouy.  But Dave & the girl still make it there before me.

I get back into Dave's draft, but periodically fall off and go on my own.  Finally, ¾ to the end, I give a huge effort and catch him… but he surges and I’m cooked.  I let him go.  He swims away to the beach, barely outsprinting the female leader, and taking me by 1/2 a minute.

My goal is fast transitions today.  On the beach I whip off my wetsuit.  Anna is cheering, "Go Dad, go!"  She continues to cheer me on as I put on my helmet and glasses and run off with my bike ahead of Dave.  Having Anna's support really gets me going and makes racing so exciting.

On the bike I huff-and-puff up the first hill and then enjoy a couple miles of flat (they took out the little Hickory St climb).  I pass a few short-distance athletes.  Looking back, I can see my threat, Dave Campbell, in his tight aero position looking like a cruise-missle bearing down on me.  The first loop seems hard (only 20.5mph) and the final climb is like a punch to the lungs.  Each loop I’m able to increase my average speed (Lap 2: 21.4mph.  Lap 3: 22mph).  The fun part is flying down the backside through the intersections.  Sometimes I have to weave around slow vehicles, ATV’s and golf carts.  It’s the neighborhood’s largest race but some people still seem oblivious to it.  But some of the volunteers are cheering like crazy.  And after each lap I also see Robin and the girls and my mom and Ray cheering loudly for me.  It’s such a boost!

I thankfully finish the bike, make a smooth, quick transition, and head up on the run.  I’m leading the race but I just think about how to go faster.  (Mile 1: 6:41)  I cheer on the others I run by or the bikers that ride by. It’s getting warmer and I try to find shade. (Mile 2: 6:40)  A couple athletes notice my race suit and yell “Go FCA!”  One of them is an athlete at Sac State that is involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes ministry there.  A woman, struggling towards the end, is elated when she sees the “Powered by Christ” emblem.  (Mile 3: 6:58)  All this encourages me on and I thank the Lord for being able to run without the pain I had for years.

Since last October, my foot has showed a sudden improvement.  But sometimes it shows signs of the pain again, like last week after the Alcatraz Triathlon.  In the past I would treat it with stretching, massage, etc, but this year I leave it alone and use it as a reminder to spend time with God.  When I’m consistent praying and being honest with Him, my foot feels stronger.  I just want to give God the credit because He has really answered prayers for us.

Running across the dam, the view of the lake is beautiful.  Now for the killer climb back up to the road.  It’s so steep, others are walking.  I want to do the same.  But another guy is running and I press on, too.  At the top I catch him and tell him, “Good job running that hill!”.  Now it’s a short run to the finishing stretch.. and there’s Anna ready to go!  She’s always so excited.  We run under the finish in first. (Mile 3.8: 7:12 pace).  Total: 1:25:00.

We spend the rest of the day playing with beach toys with family and friends at Dave Campbell’s house.  Couldn’t be better!   God is good.

Team Campbell and Team Brothers!

Go Team Brothers-Campbell-Soares!

Go Dave!

Play, Family, Play!