TREASURE ISLAND TRIATHLON

A quick race report from the 2010 Treasure Island Triathlon. As always, it was great to see a few of the Team Pacific Bikes guys and girls out there. Congratulations to everyone, as the team performed well.

Coming into the race I was tired. A lot of training and a tough week at work resulted in me having low expectations for the race. I planned to use the weekend as big training weekend, and the race was a training day. My hours at work mean that I need get the most out of the weekend and put in the long hours of training.

Swim
The swim was rather uneventful. My swim shape is still sub-par and I am always dependent upon finding the feet of someone faster to obtain a good swim time. However, as I rounded the first buoy and saw no one in sight, I quickly learned that I was fastest in my wave. This is when I wish I was swimming more and back in 18:30 swim shape. I came out of the water in 22:39 promised myself I would be in the pool Monday morning.

Bike
I never really found my groove on the bike. The first three laps I just could not find the power to push the straight sections. I finished in 1:02:37 but lost a lot of time to my competitors for the overall amateur win.

Run

The first three miles of the run were great. I held 5:30s. However, the long week of work and training caught up to me, and my paced slowed to around 5:50s. I finished in 37:29. My Garmin had the course at 6.5 miles, which translates to a 35 minute 10K, not great, but I'll take it for where I find myself right now.

In the end I finished 1st in the age group, and 2nd overall. Sami Inkinen put together a strong race and had an incredible bike, taking the overall win.

I was happy with the weekend. I followed up the race with a 10 mile trail run in Tennessee Valley. On Sunday, I went out on the bike and rode out to Point Reyes and returned via Highway One, always a beautiful ride.

Next up is the Lake Steven's 70.3. I have some big goals for that race, and I am about half way there.

Hope you all had a great weekend.

INTRODUCTION

Crohnic (Crohn's Disease):
In October of 2000, a couple weeks after winning my age group (24 and under) and placing third overall in Los Angeles Triathlon, I became extremely ill.  Laying in a hospital bed as doctors and nurses performed more tests than I knew existed, I kept wondering, how could someone so healthy be so sick?  I was eventually diagnosed with Crohn's Disease.  From that day on I promised myself I would not let the disease get in the way of my goals, but rather use the disease and its symptoms to make me a better person and better athlete.  

9 years after winning the OA amatuer
race in the LA Triathlon, I returned
in 2010 to win again and start
Tri Career 2.0 

Triathlete (Professional Triathlete):
From 2000 through 2006 I competed as an elite triathlete. However, in 2006, I ruptured two discs in my lower back (L4 and L5) and my triathlon racing career was put on hold until 2009. In September of 2009, I dusted off the wetsuit, bike and running shoes and competed in the Santa Cruz Triathlon. Finishing 2nd in my age group and 4th overall, I decided to make another go at being a professional athlete.


Esq. (Attorney):
In 2006, I graduated from Boalt Hall School of Law (UC Berkeley Law), passed the CA Bar exam, and started work in a large corporate law firm.  In my practice, I represent issuers and underwriters in various asset-backed securitizations.

In 2011, I find myself embarking on pro triathlon career 2.0.  Working a stressful job and pushing my body to its limits is not the typical lifestyle of a Crohn's patient but with a bit of patience, fortitude and luck, I'll be standing on top of the podium.