Race Reports - 1999

This page chronicles the races of the year 1999.

1999 was a good year for me. I ran a number of high quality races. I especially like the X-Terra off road triathlon. However, some force was lurking beneath the waters. As other hobbies became more important to me, I let my triathlon racing take a back seat.

In the year 2000, I did no official triathlons, but I did continue to train. In fact I continued to bike and run quite a bit. I finished the Texas Marathon Challenge, 5 marathons in 5 months. But my triathlon racing took a break. No new tri races to report on until 2001.

• Advantage Rent-A-Car Triathlon (1M Swim/6.4M Run/21M Bike), (27:00/1:30/48:07/1:55/1:02:58 2:20:56 Total) Boerne, TX. 11 July 1999.

  You would think the Swim/Run/Bike order would be enough to set this race apart, but the steady rains also made this race memorable and unique this year.

  The race start was delayed over an hour as the officials looked for lighting in the heavy black clouds. Luckily there was none. The triathletes are shivering and soaking in the muddy transition area waiting for the word. The mud is 5 inches deep in some areas, and everyone's run clothes and shoes are spattered with ruddy brown goo. Several support trucks get stuck in the mud. Despite the steady rain, sometimes heavy and driving, the race is on! As I plunge into into warm, 82 degree Boerne City Park lake, the sound of beating rain becomes still, and all I can hear is the wheezing of my lungs gasping for air.

  Exit the swim and it's on to the run. Without a clean place to change, I plop down into the mud and put on my wet brown socks and shoes. I exit the transition area, but it looks like a barn with hoof prints 3 and 4 inches deep. Our shoes are plastered with the sticky mud, but eventually we make it to pavement, and the rain and the pounding washes away the mess. The rain is still falling steadily, and the air smells clean and fresh. The sky is soft and multi-toned like an artist painting a dramatic watercolor with blacks and whites, and greys. The clouds are moving overhead, but there is vitually no wind at ground level. The run goes cross country for two miles, and there are some small streams to ford. As the race director said, "if the low water crossing become impassible, the bike will be cancelled." As we cross many raging streams, I begin to think the bike leg will never happen.

  To my surprise, the bike is on. The rain is still falling, heavy at times, and the drops sting as they hit my shoulders. The runoff from my brow is making it hard for me to see. My nose is running constantly from all the rain drops I am inhaling. Despite the slick roads, the race is much cooler than other years, somewhere in the low 70s. After riding through a few black clouds and ascending the hills near the Tarry Lake horse ranch, the rain withers away. I almost "buy the farm" at mile marker 20, as I take a sweeping turn a bit too fast. Luckily, the tires eventually stop sliding, and I am on my way home.

  As usual the post race was great with a live band, fajitas from the grill with Coahuila habanero sauce, and beer from the Yellow Rose Brewing Company of San Antonio. Although I was surprised at the officating call, in hind-sight I am glad the bike leg was held. It never did thunder or lightning, and now I have a great sense of accomplishment and lots of memories: the shivering, the mud, and the wet athletes having beer and fruit bars in the rain.

• Buffalo Springs Lake Half Ironman (1.2M Swim/56M Bike/13.1M Run), (5:51:15 33:38/3:25/2:58:43/2:50/2:12:50 56/93 AG, 303/550 Men) Lubbock, TX. 27 June 1999.

  This year marks a race of low heat and high winds. Most of the day is blessed with partial cloud cover -- high temperatures in the upper 90s. Humidity is low, approximately 20 to 30% at run time. Unfortunately the winds are very strong and slowing, especially on the bike. During the run, the Buffalow Springs Lake canyon is unbearably hot and windless, yet the road near the power plant is cooling thanks to the low humidity and high winds.

  I took my usual low key approach to this race and was rewarded with my personal worst time of this event. As is true of all races this year, I did the swim cold with no training. My time was about 10 to 15% slower than my best swims, but not unexpected. I put in plenty of bike training, but owing to lots of chores at home, I think I tapered off too drastically and pay for it dearly on the bike. My biking weakness and the high winds lead to a very slow bike time. My run started out slow, expecially in the oppressive and windless heat of the Buffalo Springs Lake canyon. However, once I made it to the level, windy grounds near the power plant, I started cooling down and putting in some good miles. I also met fellow Austiner, Michael Seibel on the run, and through talking and commiserating, we managed to goad each other into a good final five miles.

  As in previous years, the race is extremely well run. The bike handoffs appear regularly every 10 miles. The run stations are one mile apart with a free bonus site at the 6.5 mile turnaround. The volunteers are enthusastic and plentiful. Without their help, I would never finish this race.

  Despite the physical difficulties, I have fun at the race and enjoy meeting old and new friends. For the second year in a row, Jane and our dog Harriett served as full time spectators. Harriett really likes to spectate: lots of attention and free food from kind dog lovers, lots of swimming and running, and a great big road trip with mom and dad in the truck.

• X Terra Offroad Triathlon (1.5k Swim/18M Mountain Bike/11k Trail Run), (2:29:41 10/20AG 50/98OV) Austin, TX. 23 May 1999.

  Ohhh, was this a tough event. Based on my ability in mountain biking, and the enjoyment and success I had in the last two races, I thought this would be an easy race. I thought wrong!

  The swim went without a problem in the clean waters of Lake Travis. The water was clear enough to follow the rope on the bottom of the lake that held the line of buoys; it was almost like having lane lines. The two lap swim were separated by a 75 yard run along the shore, great for spectators and photographers, but quite disorienting for the swimmers. No problems, on to the bike!

  The mountain bike course winds among the hills and valleys of Pace Bend Park. Normally Pace Bend is open only to hikers and horseback riders, but on this day they made an exception to the bikers, a trial run for a proposed mountain bike park. My recommendation is that they develop the park. The course is a beauty with lots of twists and turns, ascents and descents -- somewhat remeniscent of the High Ridge Trails on Jester Mountain near Loop 360. Typical of Austin, the course is full of limestone boulders and loose and dusty gravel. There are also plenty of the steps or "balcones" that make for wicked airborn descents. There was no cowtowing to the triathletes, this 18 mile bike was as difficult as any expert mountain bike race course.

  I finished the bike in about 30th place, but I was spent. On the first mile of the run, I thought my wobly legs would loosen and get into running form. It never happened. On the second mile I slowed to a shuffle. By now, it was noon in the hot Texas sun. There was little shade among the low juniper trees. On the third and fourth miles I was walking. I had barely enough energy to go on. Obviously, I was going through an incredibly bad bonk. I tripped on many rocks and roots. When I finished the first lap at mile 3, I felt like packing it in, but the cheers of the crowd helped me move on. Finally, by mile 4, my energy crisis had waned. I guess my energy system had switched over to burning fat, and I had enough in me to begin a shuffle. The last two miles were a roasting death march. Other runners were passing me left and right, as I slipped from 30th down to 50th place.

  Despite having a tough race and spending the rest of the day recovering, I did enjoy the event. The expo was well organized, the race venue was outstanding, the course was well marked, and the barbeque lunch after the race was simply delicious to a starving, energy-sapped survivor. I hope the course returns next year, wwhen I intend to conquer the elements and finish with a bit more grace.

• Gulf Coast Triathlon (1.5k Swim/56M Bike/13.1M Run), (38:14/4:39/2:42:00/3:24:52/1:52:11 5:19:58 96/230AG 589/) Panama City Beach, FL. 08 May 1999.

  Victory is mine! Well, not really, but I did manage to beat my ARCH-NEMESIS Adam Gruman in a rare defeat. He has beaten me consistently for nearly every race in recent memory. This race I nearly equalled his swim and bike times, but I trounced him by 10 minutes in the run for a 6 minute overall victory. He did suffer on his new bike, so I imagine this took a bit out of him on the run.

  Conditions for the race were about normal. A frontal system churned up the surf for the swim and about 10 racers were rescued from the waves by the lifeguards. Once you swam beyond the curls, the swim was free of chop and relatively fast. The bike was the out and back course originated in last year's race, but the starting waves were spaced out in 15 minutes intervals. Drafting and pack behavior were minimal which made the race far more enjoyable than last year. The run was the out-and-back course to the state park at the end of Thomas Drive that has been used for the last 5 or so races. I saw a sidewinder snake cross the road in the park and nearly run into a runner. Luckily he jumped and avoided the quick snake. The heat index was high as usual, exacerbated by the one hour delay in starting the event this year.

  I felt good for this race and completed the run without walking. Although it was my second swim of the year, I felt in good form and was within 5 minutes of my benchmark, Adam Gruman and within 2 minutes of last year's time. My bike ride was a typical 21 mph. Surprisingly, despite feeling good, my time was much slower than last year with the bike accounting for the 20 minute difference. I imagine the course was a bit longer and the winds were a bit stronger. I enjoyed racing and meeting old friends. Once again Panama City makes a great mini-vacation and roadtrip. I will be back.

• USTS Austin (1.0M Swim/40k Bike/10k Run), (~2:30:00) Austin, TX. 02 May 1999.

  I begin this race season with a much more casual and relaxed attitude than previous years. With all the hobbies and time contraints in my life, triathlons take a back burner in my list of things to do. Not that I don't enjoy myself, it's just that if I don't feel like training or don't have the time. Correspondingly, my times have dropped.

  The USTS Austin race is held at Pace Bend Park on the shores of Lake Austin. Although it's my first swim of the year, the 75 degree water feels good. I've never been a power swimmer, and I rely more on technique burned into my muscles memories for years. The lack of training does not affect me that much. I only notice the lack of training towards the end of the swim where I start to tire.

  The bike course is a two lap tour of the hilly roads surrounding the park. I estimate at least 50 hill tops in the 25 mile course. As is usual, my Austin training pays off and I pass many on the up-hills, but for some reason everyone passes me back on the down-hills. The run is also fun, on a hilly and curvy course. Great post race party. Great site. Fun race.

Other Races

Follow the links to race reports from the given year.

1998, 1997, 1996, 1995.