Saturday morning I caught a flight to Orange County for triathlon's Olympic Distance US Amateur Championship. I was going mainly for the experience to race against the Nation's best. Everyone had to qualify with a top 25% finish. I wasn't in peak condition but still hoped I might get lucky; the top 12 in each age group make Team USA, representing us at the ITU (Olympic Distance) World Championship!

At registration, the field didn't seem that intimidating, everyone was casual and low-profile. At the start line, 90 of us from across the country stared towards the warm, crystal waters of Mission Viejo Lake. The 79 degree water made for the "no wetsuit" rule. Of course the "swimmers" were happy.

With a 3-step-sprint we dove into the lake. Scott Shea, age group winner at Wildflower, was on my right. Kevin Joyce, who qualified for Ironman at Wildflower, was sprinting ahead in the middle. A gap formed, couldn't get a good draft. A few of us tried catching the group ahead but we all stayed neck-and-neck and didn't help each other with a draft. At the turn I sprinted to catch a draft. He was fast and pulled me ahead of my pack. I was doing everything to stay on but after 250m I was dropped and the pack caught up. I led my little group to the finish. Felt like I was "muscling" the swim.

After a great transition, I was happy to be on the bike ready to reel in the masses. But the masses were tough. The 2-loop course was very hilly and had 5 technical U-turns. In the 2nd half of the bike, where I usually do well, especially on the hills, I was battling it out in the corners, descents, and climbs but never broke away long enough. They kept coming back! Finishing the bike, I could see a whole mess of runners already burning up the course. I hoped maybe I was around 20th although I seemed to count a lot more.

We had to run our bike to the transition but I couldn't stand up straight because of a recent back injury. That was hardest part. After a 1/2mi running, I loosened up and set out to catch people on the long down hill. I guess everyone had the same idea because we were all flying but not catching anyone. At the turn I counted about 50! No way! I felt good, ready to work the 2 mi climb. My heart was there but the legs weren't as enthusiastic. With a big effort, I pass 2 guys in my age. I do it quick because when they see my age, they'll chase. Then I hear footsteps! I pick it up, the hill is grueling, I must not give up, can't let them know I'm hurting. Then they go by, my heart sinks, my pace slows... but it's not them, it's 1994 World Champion, Pete Kain, and Mike Swan, and other 30-34 age groupers! I pick it back up, suck in behind, and held off any others in my age. I finished in 2hrs 10min.

Watching the women finish, and hearing about the lead men, I realized how hungry these athletes were for a trip to the World Championship. Each age group was mercilessly battling each other for the top 12 places. They were 3-abreast coming down the stretch, total determination across their faces, until collapsing at the finish line.

At the awards ceremony and allotment of Team USA, they started with the last qualifier, 12th place. I listened, hoping for some freak, tiny, chance that my 2:10 time would at least come close to an alternate or something. I thought to myself that I ran a solid race but felt I could take off 3-4 minutes if I peaked for it. After I heard the announcement, "In 12th place, with a time of 2:01..." I realized 3-4 minutes wouldn't be enough. WOW! These guys were fast. Then I remembered when Pete Kain passed me at mile 5, he was over 10minutes ahead since his wave started 2 back.