HIM - Barb's Race Report 7/31

[Tri Girl]

Congrats, V!!!

You did exceptionally well, considering you're only swimming in races and have only biked 750 miles this year. WOW!
You're a super stud- and the pictures are amazing (as always).

Congrats, superstar!!!

[colby]

Those pictures are awesome!

That bike improvement is huge! I have to say riding my tri bike has really made me want a road bike that rides that nice, reading your report doesn't help. Sounds like we'll be starting a running for non-runners club this fall for all of us who lose it on the run.

All in all, a great race! Congratulations.

[Veronica]

I have to say riding my tri bike has really made me want a road bike that rides that nice, reading your report doesn't help.

I'm really glad I went the race road bike route. I'd worry about never getting comfortable enough to really fly on the curvy downhills the way I do now. I'm sure I'd be faster on the straight, flat parts with a TT bike, but I'd miss the "wheee!!!!!" factor.

You know, one can never have too many bikes.

Veronica

[roadie gal]

Great race report. Congrats on doing so well!

You look fantastic! Go V!

[GLC1968]

Excellent photos, once again!

[Veronica]

Excellent photos, once again!

Big camera, not sure what he was using for a lens and the crop tool is my friend! He takes a lot of shots of other racers while he's waiting for me to show, so he can perfect what he wants.

He didn't take any swim photos because it was overcast at the start. He left as soon as I went into the water for my start, so he could get out on the course. The first road we ride on is kinda tiny, so he had to take a longer route out. Yeah... it is open to traffic but... they encourage spectators to stay off of it. It's got the really great "whee!!!!! " hill on it though. The other times I've done the race, he's missed me on the bike course, so it was cool to see him out there this time.

Veronica

[OakLeaf]

Great pics! You look wonderful. And strong!

[kacie tri-ing]

Nice work! Thanks for the RR!

[taxmuffin]

Great race report and great pictures!

I have to ask (since I am considering the race for next year) -- how bad/hilly is the bike course? I am very much a hill wuss, so I am trying to figure out whether I can hack it for this race.

[Veronica]

The bike portion is pretty flat with only 2 sustained climbs - Canyon Rd and Chalk Hill. Neither are very long, 2.5 miles or so, maybe 5% average grade. I never found myself wishing for a smaller gear. Total elevation gain for the bike was 2,461 spread out over 56 miles.

The run is much hillier with 931 feet of total elevation gain over the 13 miles. There are three good sized hills on the run and the rest of the course is very rolly. On the second lap you only go half way out, but you go half way up the second big hill.

It's very well organized. I'll keep doing it until I get sick of doing tris. If I ever decide to do a full IM, it will most likely be the one I do since it's the same course, just doubled.

Veronica

[colby]

I'm really glad I went the race road bike route. I'd worry about never getting comfortable enough to really fly on the curvy downhills the way I do now. I'm sure I'd be faster on the straight, flat parts with a TT bike, but I'd miss the "wheee!!!!!" factor.

You know, one can never have too many bikes.

Veronica

I really love that we're a forum full of enablers.

[Bike Chick]

I'm really glad I went the race road bike route. I'd worry about never getting comfortable enough to really fly on the curvy downhills the way I do now. I'm sure I'd be faster on the straight, flat parts with a TT bike, but I'd miss the "wheee!!!!!" factor.
Veronica

Never underestimate the "wheee!!!" factor! It's certainly a rush.

Awesome pics, Veronica.