Saguaro Lake Triathlon

Friday, April 25
I saw Petter Leife, one of my teammates, biking up Mountain with his pack on my way home. I knew he was riding with us to Saguaro Lake and I assumed he was heading to my house, which he was. Matt Grabau had already picked up Andrew Predoehl (another teammate) and then picked up Petter and myself around 1:30pm, then we headed up to Saguaro Lake, which is north-east of Phoenix. The drive wasn't too bad, and we got to the packet pick-up around 4pm. After getting our packets we drove over to where T1 was being set-up - we decided to save some trouble for the next morning to unload our bikes that night. We then took a brief swim in the water; I did not put on my wetsuit and actually enjoyed the water temperature.

The race course was unique in that the swim started in one place (the Marina), and ended in another (Butcher Jones Cove), and then the bike course also ended in a different place (the Saguaro Lake Ranch) than it started. We had a T1 bad, a T2 bag and a dry clothes bag. The T1 bag was for our swim gear to go into as we got ready to start the bike; the T2 bag was for our run gear so they could give it to us as we finished the bike, and our bike gear then would go in the same bag, and then we could put dry clothes we wore before the swim into that bag before the start of the race and the bag would be waiting for us at the end. It is also worth noting that there were two races going on at the same event, a road triathlon, which I participated in, and an Xterra (mountain bike) triathlon that some of my teammates did. So mountain and road bikes were next to each other in T1 - we all used the same swim and run courses.

After swimming we drove along part of the bike course on our way back into Mesa and the Courtyard Marriot, where we stayed the night. We had a quick dinner at Subway and went to a grocery store for last-minute breakfast supplies. We found some other TriCats (Andy Wyatt, Shawn Burr, Kyle Watson, and Andy Suter) staying at the same hotel and hung out with them briefly before going to bed. I had trouble getting to sleep because of anticipation for the race, but eventually fell asleep.

Saturday, April 26
I felt a little unpleasant from my troubled sleep, but after a quick shower and breakfast began to feel decent. On our way to the race we had to stop to buy a parking permit (nearest place that sells them is 14 miles from the National Park - that's federal bureaucracy for you) in order to park at the event, since the parking area was part of a National Park. We stopped at our bikes and set-up our T1 areas before heading over to the parking lot. I applied sunscreen, Andrew and I went for a short warm-up jog, we got body marked and then waited for the shuttle to take us to the start. While we were in line for the shuttle one of the founders of the TriCats spoke with us for a bit, excited to see so many of us at the race. It was very neat to hear him talk a little about starting the team.
At the start area I remembered to take my gel, about 20 minutes prior, got my wetsuit on, and managed to cut my left little toe getting into the water - we had to go over some rocks to get in to the lake. The weather was pleasant at first, but was into the 80's for the run and finish.

The race director explained we had to stay between the buoys and shore, and around 9am we started. I felt like I was struggling, especially the first 200-300m - I had to take frequent breathing breaks using the breast-stroke, or breath on one side every-other stroke (I think part of it was mental and part was me still warming-up to the swim). After the first buoy I felt better and returned to breathing every three strokes and fewer breast-stroke moments. I was pleased with my time though, and it was great to see some TriCats cheering us on as we got out of the water. Swim length: 1500 meters.

The bike course started with a long climb out of the park to the main road. The road was minor hills and some flat-ish stretches for a bit, and then turned into more steady hills. After the first turn onto Usury Pass it was a steady climb, but I felt not too steep and actually seemed to do well. I passed a few people on the first half of the ride, and a few more on the second half too. I made one minor mistake when I followed some other racers missing a turn that was not well marked. I made a quick U-turn and was back on track in 2-3 minutes I think - I was thankful we had driven part of the course the day before and should have trusted myself instead of the people in front of me.
I actually felt like I needed to pee early on, which I think reduced the amount I drank on the bike - I finished 3/4 of 1 bottle with Heed (sports drink) and didn't touch the bottle with Zym (electrolyte tab). I did have two gels on the bike, one after 15 min and one about 20 min before the end. I passed a few TriCats on the ride, and saw Brian K walking down toward the ranch as I turned there heading to T2. Some TriCats also cheered us into T2. Bike length: 30 miles.

This was an odd transition, they took my bike and then as I ran down a chute they handed me my T2 bag. I found a spot and started changing when Phalyn (A TriCat) offered to put my bike gear in my bag for me.

I started off strong, feeling good about my bike and swim, and was looking forward to not holding back on the trail run and bringing the race home. Alas, the best laid plans of mice and men... About 1/4-1/2 mile in I decided I was going to pee, or get sick, so I found a bush and was thankful I was a man. Not too long after that I started cramping in my legs, had to stop briefly, and then walk to the aid station. I had 4 cups (1/2 cups really) of Gatorade and threw a few cups of water on myself as I stood around, or sat on a boulder for a little. After resting for a few minutes and feeling better I decided to truck on. I started jogging and managed to hold that for a few minutes, but after a bit cramped up again. Essentially between there and the second aid station - which was a sight for sore eyes - I walked, tried jogging a couple times and cramped; I had one really bad cramp where I just sat down to get off my leg and stretch it. I knew I wasn't doing well when other racers asked if I was OK as they passed. The aid station, much to my disappointment, had just ran out of Gatorade and had no gels. I did see Jessi (another TriCat) who was also walking, and a woman gave us some stretch tips. Shortly after that station I was able to start jogging again and held that mostly until the last station, where I got Gatorade, poured some water on myself, and lightly ran the to the finish line. There were some Tricats there to cheer us on as we finished, which was great. Run length: 5.5 miles.

Official times (these include transitions): Swim 34:06.6 (rank 64/97); Bike 1:50:56.5 (rank 70/97); Run 1:10:27.5 (rank 90/97); overall 3:35:30.7 (rank 81/97).
Self-times: Swim 28:58.77, T1 5:22.92; Bike 1:49:27; T2 1:12.69; Run 1:10:33; Overall 3:35:35.
Click here for the complete official race results.

After the race I got some Gatorade, water, and fruit. I found my transition bags and got my flip-flops, partially so I could then go to the first aid tent where they washed my toe and but a bandage on it for me. After a bit I decided I was ready for food, but the pizza was gone, so I had some more fruit and M&M's. Some of us TriCats were hanging around in the shade, talking about the race for a little. When the awards started we got closer to the speaker to see and hear the ceremony. A number of teammates got awards, including Makko (our President) Kathy Rakel and others. They also gave away some "shwag" from local sponsors. After that was over we packed up, and headed home. We stopped at Arby's for some food on our way to Phoenix and then Tucson.

After I got home I realized that, my efforts to use sunscreen notwithstanding, I had burned on my arms, legs, shoulders, neck and face. I speculate that it was partially because I swam in a wetsuit after putting on the sunscreen, and because I was in the sun for about three hours.

So while in some aspects I did well in this race, it also was a learning experience/catalyst. I know I need to work on protecting myself from the sun, learn more about preventing/treating cramps, and figure out how not to feel bloated or like my bladder is full during/after the bike ride.

Click here to see the TriCats' forum thread on this race. I also posted a few pictures: the first is a picture of the beach where we ended the swim, another is more of the lake where the swim was, and the third is of the bike transition area.