This was the first year I have done this race, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I had been told that the bike and run were flat. I was skeptical. How many times are you told this then you get to the race and find out differently? Normally this time of year it can be quite hot in Walla Walla. I was looking forward to going over there and racing in the heat after having spent so many weekends riding in the freezing cold rain.
We traveled over there the day before the race. We checked in to the motel, got a bite to eat, and then headed out to check out the course. We finally figured our way around town and then found our way out to the lake. Here was my first surprise; there was a big hill climb as you headed to the lake as you came up to the top. You then dropped down to the lake to the transition site. Great a big hill climb at the end of the ride just before you get off and have to run; and full of speed bumps as well!J
The lake was small…more of a pond, really, a reservoir. A small stream, backed up by a large man-made earth dam. This was a two-loop course; I actually like this better for Olympic distance races. Then you ran up a steep boat ramp to the transition area. I got on my bike and rode from transition down the hill, I wanted to ride this before the race. It looked much worse than it really was... phew. OK, off to check out the course. The first couple miles of this course are a bit technical. There are speed bumps as you come down the hills, and you go through a couple sharp turns, then you head out on the main road. This is very smooth ride and it is not flat…I would characterize this as a false flat, with a lot of rolling hills. OK, no problem, I like this type of course! I didn’t get to check out the run…it said flat and I was willing to gamble that it was.
Race morning: I woke up at 5:30. Mike and I headed out to find some eggs and coffee for me. After breakfast we headed back to the motel to pick my bike and gear, and Stephen, who was planning to fish the reservoir. They weather was cold with big thunder clouds looming over head and TONS of wind (It was Memorial Day weekend, and the numerous US flags were flying horizontal). I knew this was going to make the bike tough.
Swim: The swim was a mass start; there were about 250 people. The water temperature was fine. I actually liked this, which surprised me; it reminded me a bit of an IM start and I figured this was good practice. I had no trouble with the swim until I was heading in on the last loop I realized I wasn’t sure if we were supposed to head back to the buoy then over to the dock, or if we were supposed to go straight to the boat ramp. I had to stop and look longer than I liked to see what people were doing. I finally decided my best bet was to swim down the middle. As I got closer I could see people that were finishing the 2nd loop were heading straight in so I put my head down and off I went. Coming out of the water, you go straight up a steep little hill to transition (the boat ramp). I felt great and ran right up. 28:21, 1:44’s.
T1: Due to the weather I had decided before hand not to rush my transitions. It did take me forever to get my gloves on, but I was glad I had them! I finally got them on them off on the bike….. 1:47
Bike: The ride down the hill was fine. When we got to the main road we were BLASTED with a headwind…I was being blown all over. I just tried to get aero and do what I could. I slowly was catching women. Mike didn’t give me any info when I left transition so I had no idea how many girls were ahead of me. At about mile 6, Josh passed me and took off. This ride seemed to take forever! I am sure it was the working into the wind…I could tell it was wearing me down. When we turned around, WOW! It was like being pushed from behind…I flew back! Once we got to town there were some really strong cross winds. Now the hill …it wasn’t bad at all. Definitely a hill for a standing climb as you power up. 1:13:10, 20.38 mph
T2 I was a bit faster than T1, but still not going as fast as I should. I am used to IronMan, where I take my time. This being my first short course race of the year, I forgot how quick I need to be! 1:25
Run: As I head out for the run, Mike tells me there are 3 girls ahead of me …I am hoping I can run them down, but I have no idea who is ahead of me. SO I head out for the run…You run along the parking lot, then out to a dirt trial. The trail is hard packed dirt. It is not flat! Rolling is how I would describe this part of the course …up and down. Great! “That’s fine, I like the hills,” I keep telling myself. I know somewhere there is an asphalt trail …that has to be flat. SO I continue to push and think about my form and cadence.. all I see are guys. I am near the turn around, probably ½ mile, and I see a gal coming back from the turnaround…. I cant; believe what I am seeing, she is FLYING …She looks like she is sprinting, but moving effortlessly. I know she is pretty young, and I think, “OK I know I am not catching her!” That was Annie Warner.
I am thinking I should be seeing the next girls soon…. The next girl looks the same as the first…totally ripped and flying ..dang these girls are amazing! I’m thinking, “Who are they? They don’t look like your typical triathletes.” You could just tell there was something exceptional about them… sort of like running with the pros at an Ironman. The second girl was Julie Pittsinger, and she was in my Age Group. Not long after seeing the second girl, I saw Josh. OK, I knew I wasn’t going to catch them.
A couple minutes after them I see the 3rd girl….OK I think I can catch her!. Keep running. When I got out to the turn around I decided I am going to pick it up and really try to catch her. Not long after that I see a girl flying toward me, wearing pink, and I thought “DANG! I need to run harder or she may run me down!” About a ¼ mile from the finish, I caught the girl ahead of me. She didn’t appear to be running very well. I decided to pass her with all I had and run as hard as I could to the finish. She didn’t chase me, that is always a relief. It turns out she was running on a relay team, and started about ten minutes ahead of me. 42:32, 6:51 pace. (I think the run course was a bit short, and that I actually ran closer to 7:05's)
Overall: Finished 3rd overall female, 2nd in AG and Masters. Time: 2:27:16
I really enjoyed this race and think I will do it again. I am most pleased that I was able to run that strong after such a tough bike. This tells me I am right where I need to be this year with my fitness. I was really pleased with how my swim felt, and very happy with the new blue seventy wetsuit.
Mike and I then started to research Annie Warner and Julie Pittsinger. We learned that Annie Warner has gone Pro and races in the ITU circuit. When researching Julie Pittsinger we learned that she was the overall winner of my very first triathlon, Seattle Danskin, 2001. She was also the overall winner of the very first ½ IM I did, Pacific Crest 2003. She’s also a former ITU Pro, and in 2000 won an Olympic Distance race in California, where she beat both Paula Newby-Frasier and Jesse Strensland! What an honor to race with these ladies! These girls were both racing at a different level, but it’s a level to which I will continue to strive. I was not that far behind them on the bike; I need to continue to improve my run. I can also take a few more minutes off my swim. I just have to keep taking the long term view.
