FOLSOM INTERNATIONAL TRI June 9th, 2013
1550 Meter Swim | 40k Bike | 10k Run   3:05:35
#2/5 (60-64)
#64/158 F overall
#199/371 overall

Finally, on the podium, #1 (Sally Gaines) - not shown here

Guess what!  it was HOT!  I managed to come in 2nd - somehow.... as it had been 111 degrees the day before the race... luckily things had cooled down by Sunday morning.

The start of a hot and windy ride

USAP bag of goodies for #2 AG win

So.... the drive up to Folsom on Saturday was, shall I say, an experience.  It had been 68 degrees in Mill Valley -  108 degrees in Folsom by 2:30pm.  Anytime I got out of the car, I felt as if I was stepping into a very hot oven.  The race check in was at a bike store about 4 miles from the race venue... tables were set up outside - I felt badly for the people standing there doing the check in... as it was about 108 degrees in the shade.  I went back to Lake Natoma to check out the water temperature........  the surface felt like the high 70's... below the surface was a nice, cool 65 or so.  I took a little swim and decided that my sleeveless Xterra would be the best choice for the race the next morning.

The air temperature just kept climbing and climbing.. by 6:00pm, it was 111 degrees outside.  I considered not doing the race, because racing in the heat is extremely trying for me.  But, I carried on, got up at 4:30 am, checked the outside temp  - 65 degrees.... uh.. well... at least it had cooled down a little bit......

The usual routine, coffee, vits and Hammer supplements (Premium Insurance Caps, Super Anti-Oxidant, Tissue Rejuvenator, Zobaline, Mito Caps, Endurolytes, Race Caps Supreme, Whey Protein, Oatmeal with Hammergel and a banana)... ready set, out the door to the bike path and a nice little 10 minute ride to the race venue.

I got there in plenty of time, racked near the Bike Out/ Bike In and waited for the race start.  I waited until the last minute to put on the wetsuit, as it was still very warm out and I didn't want to overheat so soon.. that was coming later......  I drank about 12 oz of Heed and took 4 Race Caps and 4 Endurolytes  within the hour before the race start.

The swim -- water temp was all over the map -- 65 degrees to 70's in spots.... the first leg was a swim to a buoy heading right into the sun.. I swam to the wrong buoy.... oh well.. I couldn't see much of anything and wasn't successful in swimming a straight line to the first turn.  The rest of the swim was reasonable... a few crowded spots, but not too bad.. I got out of the water and took off my wetsuit just after the timing mat and ran down to my bike.

The bike was windy! It took about 15 minutes longer than I had anticipated...   I drank some Heed and ate 1/2 a Hammer bar during the ride.

The run was Hell.... I walked much of it because my head felt like it was going to explode from the heat!  Luckily there were water stops every mile with lots of cold water.   I was so glad to finish this one.   I saw #1 Sally Gaines on the bike ride, she was so far ahead at that point, that I knew I wouldn't be able to catch her.  As if was, she finished about 20 minutes ahead!!!  Wow!  Good going Sally!

Hopefully I didn't destroy too many more brain cells on this race......