TOTAL DEVASTATION TRANSITION STYLE

Hickam Duathlon
2nd Place Overall - 2nd Place 18-44 age group

The morning started out with clear skies and no wind! I loaded up the new Transition with Zipp 900 rear and a 808 front. Dev and I headed to the fitness center to rack out bikes. We didn't like the school bike racks so we bolted home to pick up our Saris rear wheel rack. We got ready and headed to the run start at the Hickam Beach. There were about 87 entrants and some of these runners looked fast! Several HACCe'rs that competed were: Lindsey Cousins, Dev Andrews, Rolly, and Girmsey. Now comes the race summary...

The gun goes off for the first run segment 5k run. I felt pretty good but in the past the race is always decided in the second half. I stayed near the front in about 15-20th position and ran with Mauricio to T1. I kept telling myself to conserve and then roll the dice on the bike. I got on the Transition and only 2 words to describe this bike. SUPER FAST! By the time I got to PACAF I caught around 3 or 4 riders. By the time I hit the flagpole I had past 5 more. By the time I hit the Sea Breeze I had made it near the front. Not knowing who was ahead I hammered down and caught the leader name Joe. He's also in the Coast Guard. By this point I pretty much put a huge gap on the field on the bike. I have never felt as comfortable on a time trial bike as I do on the Transition.

At the turnaround I decided to play my trump card and lay out my hand on the table and see what happens. I rode away from him and found myself at the lead of the race. By the time I was near the sewage plant, I had a sizable lead. Was I riding to fast? I was doing 27-28mph and felt great! I got to the traffic circle to start second bike loop and there was not anyone in sight. My lead kept growing and I was unsure if I was going to hard. I headed out to the golf course and looked back, still no one! I made the turnaround and I finally saw someone at the underpass heading to the turn around. It was John Girmsey.

I kept on pace and started thinking I may actually have a chance to win this race. I put my head down and made the Zipp disc hum like I never did before. I made it into the transition area to start the second run. I got out and headed back to Hickam Beach. I probably had a 5 min gap (maybe) when I hit the first water stop. I could feel myself fading but if I hung in there worst I could do was 3rd. I looked back and saw a Hacc jersey in the distance and knew it was John. When I got to the flag pole, the jersey was now blue. Someone was coming fast! I knew it was the other COAST GUARDSMAN, Joe who was running 6min miles. Now it was do our die!

With less than an 1/8 of the mile from the finish, the Services golf cart turned around and said that the guy was giving it all he had and was closing. I dug as deep as I could, and gave it all I had. Jim Phillips yelled he's a 100 yards back and closing. SHIT! I could see the finish line! 10 yards from the finish I feel someone tap my back and said "you had a unbelievable bike split". Pretty much I faded bad and my running sucks! Joe showed great sportsmanship and said lets sprint it out. I tried but had nothing left in the tank. I lost this race 10 yds from the finish! Auuuugh!

I had not ran since the half marathon in August and told Dev I was racing the DU for FUN. I gave 110% and managed to lead the second half of the race for 15 miles. Got to fly the HACC jersey and have no regrets. I ended up with a 2nd Place Overall and a 2nd Place in the 18-44 age group. Plus I won a $25.00 gift certificate from Big City Diner. Stepped on the podium and I'll post pictures as soon as a get them. Dev and the rest of the HACCer's also did awesome. Lindsey won the female division and John wont the 45 plus age group. 3 Haccer's in the top 5!

Just for a moment, having 2 medals on my neck, standing on the podium, I felt like Michael Phelps...

Thanks to Marita and Dev for helping me out when dehydration set in. He stopped by the house with salt tablets, electrolyte drink and pretzels. Dev stayed over and made sure that I recovered well and the vomiting stopped. You guys are awesome! Thanks Chief!