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2006 James O’Rourke Memorial Triathlon/The Tri-Dummy Strikes
Back
Tri-Dummy is back, with a vengeance! Some
of you had the pleasure of reading my “nightmare” race last
year. It was my first triathlon and most humans would have hung
up their tri shorts for good after such a pathetic showing.
They’re just not the Tri-Dummy, who is a glutton for
punishment. The sore taint days have passed me now and I look
toward the future of carbon rims and 6:30 miles!
I admit my misfortunes and plain STUPIDITY
are funny to look at now. In fact, I received many an email from
tri newbies and triathletes looking for advice and information
about the James O’Rourke Memorial Triathlon. Never did the
Tri-Dummy think he would find celebrity in a 1:33 catastrophe!
Signed 8 X 10 glossies are available at
www.jay-is-a-teletubby.com.
Last year, I finally bought a bike, a 2005
Specialized Transition Elite! It fits me great and it’s nice
having my OWN bike. It’s much better than the boat anchor I
raced with last year. Here’s the kicker: I crashed it the
Saturday before the race. Long story short, an old lady pulled
out in front of me at 20 MPH and I jammed the brakes. Over I
went on my head and shoulder. Knocked me senseless and provided
some nice bruises and road rash on my right shoulder. I was
having trouble lifting my arm above my head, so I figured
swimming would hurt. My bike got two small scratches; one on
the left brake and one on the left side of the rear skewer. I
got lucky; she could have killed me. Thank you, God!!
The evening before I carbed and watered up
pretty good. I met fellow TNT member, Dave Rohan, who had my
TNT singlet and tri shorts. THANKS DAVE AND KURT! When I woke,
I had a light breakfast, and 800mg ibuprofen and headed over to
the NP Rec Center to drop off my bike and grab a good spot on
the racks. I met a buddy, Kris, who was doing his first
triathlon. I helped him with training and encouragement during
the prep for this race. We set up next to one another for
transitions and were in the same relay for the swim. Kris is a
Clydesdale size guy, great attitude, and just getting into
endurance racing.
We were in Heat 8 and after a while it was
time to get in the pool. Turns out, 2 of my other friends, Brad
Okamoto and Brandi Balzer were in the same heat. I was in Lane
1 and noticed one side of my lane had a wheelchair bar sticking
into the lane a few inches. I was sharing Lane 1 with a lady I
go to church with, Lisa Jones. She’s a total sweetheart and
took the side with the bar. I promised to hug the rope side to
give her some extra room. I knew my swim time was going to
suffer from my bike crash, but wanted to be under 10 minutes.
I started my watch when the guy said
“ready”, so I knew my watch would be a couple of seconds fast,
which was okay. And we were off! I started too fast keeping up
with the dude in the lane next to me. He did too, as he was
walking and swimming the rest of the swim. Sad thing is he was
flipping beating me! I would fly past him while he was swimming
and then he would start walking and pass me! I was really
sucking during the last 3 laps, but it was fatigue and not pain
from my shoulder. I pulled myself out of the pool and looked at
my watch: 9:47 (same as last year…I gotta get a swim coach!) The
guy walking in the pool was now walking through the transition
area in front of me.
I ran past him and to my bike. This transition went okay; however, I
struggled a little with my singlet a little. Smooth is fast,
smooth is fast! As I was changing, Brad, Brandi, and Kris
showed up. Brad rides a pimp bike, can run fast, and is in my
age group so I had to HURRY! I got out of T-1 and to the mount
area in a little less than 2 minutes.
I was really looking forward to the bike.
Unfortunately, there was a wind blowing from the northwest.
Fortunately, that meant wind in the face going out and wind at
my back coming back. I tried to maintain a constant speed, but
was slowing down at times due to the wind. I passed a friend
from church, who was on her way back. She screamed, “It’s easier
coming back!” I think I passed about 10 or so riders going out,
most were mountain bikes. The turn around was uneventful and I
took off for the leg back. I saw Brad first and then Kris.
Kris was hurting on his mountain bike. Turns out his chain fell
off! The bike lady helped him out pretty quick, though.
I was able to pass about 6 more riders,
most near the end. One of my purchases this year was an aero
bottle, which worked great. I modified it slightly; using a
piece of foam instead of the yellow crappy sponge it comes
with. It worked flawlessly. I stretched out on the pedals, as
I neared the transition and then hopped off the bike. I ran
over, racked my bike, and popped off my bike shoes, helmet, and
l/s shirt. Pulled on my shoes and took a drink. Took off and
looked at my watch: 57:35. My wife said T-2 was a little over a
minute and guessed my bike was around 45. Last year it was 55!
Starting out my legs did not feel so good,
I think from the wind. I’m definitely no Kenyan or Starvin’
Marvin looking runner; I lift weights and don’t miss a meal;
but, I usually run 8’s or a little better after a bike ride. I
know the course pretty well and was keeping track of the mile
marker to ensure I stayed on track. My first mile was around 9,
which was BAD, so I kicked it up. I grabbed water at the turn
and headed back. Running and drinking is not a skill Tri-Dummy
has mastered. Spilling it all over me…I’ve got that down pat.
I had a little wind going back, so it was a little easier. Then
I saw Brad and he was hoofing it! The dude can run, so I knew I
had to get my SCURRY ON! I pushed as hard as I could. I ran
through the finish and looked down at my watch: 1:22:56. My
wife and kids walked up and hugged me.
My official time was posted as 1:23:29, which I don’t get. I
can only guess my watch is messed up or they took 30 seconds to
put my number on the board and write down the time. I’m not
going to complain because the people are working for free so I
can have fun racing AND Trudy Merritt put on another kick butt
triathlon. I love Trudy and so does everybody who knows her! I
took 10 minutes off of my time from last year and got to meet
some fellow TNT members, and that’s what I call FUN! Check out
the results.
http://orourketriathlon.org/
TNT Members I met:
Julie Harris 1:47:41 6th
Fitness 30-39 (Her first triathlon!!)
Dave Rohan 1:09:43 2nd
Competitive 30-39, 3rd Overall
Rob Smith 1:07:39 1st
Competitive 30-39, Overall Champion
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