2020 UBC Olympic Triathlon

On March 7th, the start of my 2020 and Ironman season kicked off with the UBC Triathlon.  

Having done this race before, I knew of the logistical and climatic challenges it held. It is always either raining and cold or sunny and cold. But always cold.

Jen and I were able to sleep in a bit as I was placed in the Olympic B group. This either meant I was getting faster, or that there were more first time triathletes in the A group. It was most likely a little of both.

We arrived at the race at 6:45 am and I proceeded to check in and set up transition. My spot was not great, but we were not as early as some of the other athletes. 

After setting up, we walked to the aquatic center to drop off my wet bag and check in. We watched a bit of the first heat before I headed down to self seed in my heat.

After a short athlete briefing, we began to self-seed. It turns out there were alot of 30-35 minute swimmers. I had a feeling I was in for a crowded race. 

As the line moved slowly forward, 10 seconds at a time, it was soon my turn to start. I dropped in and started my race.

I started out nice and steady, knowing I could pic up my pace as I settled into a rhythm.

In a pool swim race, the etiquette is if the swimmer behind you taps your feet, you let them pass at the wall. About 500 meter in, I tapped the swimmer in front of me. At the wall he paused for a few seconds, then took off, not letting me pass.

This happened a few more times before he stopped at the wall for a long period of time out of breath.

I took my turns fast like we learned with Coach Stewart. That week, I had even practiced my fast turns while going under the lane ropes for the lane changes.

At 900 meters, I tried to pass an athlete at the wall, only to have us both push off at the same time. At first I was upset she would not let me pass, until I realized there were several athletes in front of her not letting her pass.

When we finished out 1000 meters and exited the pool for a makeshift Australian Exit, I apologized to her and said that I was unaware of the crowd in front of her. She told it me it was all good and dropped back into the water for our final 500 meters.

The last 500 meters was a traffic jam. The same swimmers from before refused to let us pass, and the slower swimmers we dropped in behind were also not letting anyone pass.

Several swimmers started fighting for position and passing in the lane. There were several head on collision close calls.

I decided it was not worth the energy or the stress to try and fight my way through. I stayed at the back and drafted the mass of swimmers ahead of me. 

Soon I was out of the water and headed outside to the change tent. 

After waiting (longer than I should have) for a volunteer to hand me my wet bag, I went into the change tent to get ready for the run to T1 and the bike.

At T1, I got confused and went down the wrong row for my bike. I eventually found it and geared the rest of the way up. This being such a cold race, I was sure to dress appropriately. One of my teammates said I looked like a ninja.

The start of the bike was a gradual uphill. I took this time to warm up and hydrate. At the top of the incline I started to work a bit harder. 

After a slight right around a rotary, I was headed downhill on 16th. I flew down the hill and into the sweeping right turn at speed. I kept that speed up until the first turn-around.

I took the turn wide and then settled back into my groove before doing a mini-serpentine to the other side of the road.

This next section was a gradual downhill on newly paved road. I got into my aero position and rode at at good clip all the way to the second turn-around.

Then it was a gradual incline back up the way I came. I did my best to work hard, but keep my power under 200 watts. There was still 3 more laps and a 10k run to do after all. 

After climbing back up 16th and down the hill at the start, I was on lap 2. 

All along the bike course, I saw teammates from both Coach Powell and Coach Stewart and I was sure to shout words of encouragement to them as we zoomed past one another. 

Lap 2 went much like lap 1. I did start to pick up more speed on the down hill sections as I became more comfortable.

Lap 3 was more of the same. Although I did have to explain to one rider what drafting was and that it was illegal in this race.

On lap 3 and 4, as I climbed up 16th, I could see teammates on the run course and shouted to them.

Soon the bike was done and I was trotting to T2 to prepare for the run.

I walked out of transition and began run up the hill at the start of the course. I saw Jen at the top and turned left to start the long run to the football field.

After turning left, and old injury flared up. My left ankle seized and every footfall was agony. I tried to walk it off and started running again. It would not loosen up. 

I pushed though as much as I could, running when/if I could. Everyone on the course was very encouraging. 

I made my way around the football field, up the hill, back onto the Main Mall and past Jen at the fountain. She knew something was wrong based on my time. She told me to push through and that no matter what, I would finish, 

I ran to the turnaround, back to Jen, down the hill, then up the hill to start lap 2.

Lap 2 was more of the same. Although, just before the football field, my ankle did loosen up. But by then I was not in a good place mentally. I began to pick up speed, but just as I started back up name of street, it started snowing.

I pushed through the last section of the last lap and best I could. I ran when I could, and walked when I had to.

By this time, the snow had stopped, and the sun was out. I ran down the hill, turned left and crossed the finish line.

I received my medal and paced around the finish area in a makeshift cool-down.

After talking with Jen, we went back to the pool so I could change, then to transition to pack up.

I was very upset with how the race went, but after some reflection and talking with Jen in the car, I realized that everything that happened was outside my control.

I had no control over the swimmers in front of me. All I could do was choose how I would react and I feel I did the right thing.

I had no control over an old injury flaring back up. All I could do was choose how I would react and I feel I did the right thing pushing through and doing what I could/had to do to finish.

I had no control over the weather. All I could do was plan accordingly and do what I could do on the day.

It is early in the season. I have plenty of time to get my speed, endurance, and fitness where it needs to be. I will continue to work hard and grow as an athlete as I continue on my journey to Ironman Arizona 2020.

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Woodland Park GP Cyclocross

Queens Cross was suppose to be the end of my inaugural cyclocross season. But when a friend offered to split travel costs for a ride to Seattle for one last race, how could I resist?


We arrived at our hotel in Seattle late Saturday night. And after a restless sleep and some coffee, we made our way to the race at Woodland Park.

We arrived early to setup a tent for others from Vancouver who would be joining us later in the day. After registration, we headed to the course for a practice lap. My race was not first this time around, and although I could have done a practice lap closer to my start time, I did not want to be rushed.

I could tell from the practice lap that this was going to be my new favorite cx course. After a 13 minute practice lap, I figured 2-3 laps would be a good goal. This race was a 40 minute race, not the 30 that I was accustom to.

Since none of us were in the first race, we watched he firsdt race to scope out some of the more tricky parts. This was helpful on many of the fast turns. Soon it was time for me to head to the staging area.

This was a different race series and therefore the categories were different. Normally, I would ride Novice, or Category 4 for this race, but they had a Clydesdale category. This was specifically for racer over 200lbs. My race was at 10:30am and consisted of the Master Men 45+, Clydesdale Class, Master Men 60+, and Beginning Men. And we were let out in staggered waves in that order.

The Master Men 45+ was off and the Clydesdales were lining up. Rather than the usual countdown, this race did the heartbeat start. They essentially play a loud heartbeat sound as the countdown. Needless to say, it did nothing for those of us line up with pre-race anxiety.

Then the race was on.

The start of the course was a slight uphill, but even so I was in too easy of a gear. This was fine though as I wanted to be in the back at the start. I got into a harder gear, rode past the timing trailer, gave a wave, and was on my way.

Photo courtesy of Woodinville Bicycle 

The pack bunched up as we approached the first right hand turn. I was far enough in the back not to get caught up in it. I took the entry wide, then cut in. The course then straightened out over a gradual incline. I stayed to the outside on the grass to keep grip.

As the course descended there was a right turn, followed by a left turn. I knew from watching the first race that the outside line was fastest.

After the turns was a flatter, gravel section. Then there was a small climb, before a left turn into another climb. The climb was slow, but I rode the whole thing. This course had some challenging hills, but they were all rideable for me. I was very happy about that.

After the hill was a bigger hill. Coming down the first hill, I gained as much speed as I could to help get me up the next. I stayed to the right, knowing from my practice lap that the right was smoother and firmer ground.

After the second big downhill was a left turn past some team tents. After the turn was narrow off camber. Some exposed roots made this section even more challenging. I has some good saves.

After the off camber was a series of turns. I handled these very well. They were setup a bit wider that the BC races. They were wide enough to not require any kick-stands, but narrow enough to be challenging.

After riding across a paved section, we veered left and dropped into a small decline. The entrance was narrow due to a large sand mound on the right side. I slide a bit coming off the pavement and into the drop but stayed upright.

The course swept past the washrooms and to a fun wide turn. My back wheel slid out but I was able to stay up and in control.

Next came some flatter sections were I was sure to ride on grass as much as possible.

After a fun windy section and an uphill turn, was the barriers. I dismounted, went over, remounted, and rode on.

After a muddy right turn, and several attempts to clip back in, we rode up a small incline before dropping off a curb and across another paved section.

Photo courtesy of Jeannine Avelino/Vancouver Cyclocross Photos

On the other side of the paved section was another muddy drop off. The mud here was much deeper but I was once again surprised with my bike handling skills.

After some more turns and another small hill, the course turned left along the tennis courts. There was a much steeper off camber here. I rode along the top, but still slid down a bit as I went along. Another turn and then an uphill as we rode on a gravel section, dodging deep puddles. 

As the course flattened out, we rode through a nice wooded area. We rode past the Glotman Simpson Team tent where my friend Stu was doing an unusual hand up.

I rode past to the familiar sounds of Stu's heckling.

After a few sweeping turns, we dropped into a steep downhill. It was very fast and very slick. Luckily, I was able to stay in a rut made by riders in front and keep control through the mud at the bottom.

I rode up the hill on the other side and through more turns until the next steep drop.

At the bottom of this drop was a series of bumps. I must have taken a wider line on the practice lap, as these were a complete surprise to me.

After the bumpy ride and a nice flat section, came a left turn. . . And the Run-Up.

This was a very steep section lined with log crossing the path. I dismounted, shouldered my bike, and began the slog up the hill.

Not me in the photo

On my way up, I got bumped by a rider passing. This made for a nice little battle wound on my knee.

Photo courtesy of Patrik Zuest

I got the top and remounted. I had a bit of a reprieve on a flatter section before another steep downhill/uphill combo. At the top was another big turn. I stayed on the outside section as the middle was all very deep mud. Then another downhill/uphill combo.

This section was very technical and I was very proud of myself for riding it. Granted not fast, but on the bike nonetheless.

We jumped off anther curb and across another paved roadway before heading back into the trees. We rode past the pits, up a gradual incline, and around some turns before being back on the road we started on.

I hammered on the road, throwing mud off my tires.

As I passed the timing tent I gave them a thumbs up. I was pushing hard, but having fun.

I was now on lap 2.

With 4 different categories staggered in the field, it was hard to know who was lapping me and who was just passing me. Either way, a more crowded field added an extra (and fun) element to the race.

On my second lap, the course was more chewed up. The nice grassy grip sections were more scarce.

I was taking more chances on the corners and downhills, trying to ride the ruts left by those faster than me. There was more sliding around corners and near crashes, but through it all I stayed upright.

While trying to gain speed down the hilly section at the beginning, I got stuck behind 2 people riding side by side. I lost some momentum and hard to work harder up the hill.

The switchback section was now all mud. My back wheel spun out quite a bit, but I managed to ride through.

At the off camber section along the tennis courts, a rider passed me and I lost my balance. I thought for sure I was gong down. But somehow at the last second, I saved it.

When I got to the run up, I wanted to challenge myself. I was going to push myself through this whole technnical section.

I charged up the run up, remounted, hammered through the first downhill/uphill combo and into the turn, which was now all deep mud.

Not me in the photo

I pushed through the mud, pedaling hard! I got out of the muck and into the second downhill/uphill combo. I tore down the hill and hammered up the other side.

Not me in the photo

Then my vision narrowed. I may or may not have blacked out ,but when I came to, I was leaning over the course tape violently losing that mornings breakfast.

When I looked up, I saw a photographer snapping pictures of me. He shrugged his shoulders as if to say "This is cross." I gave him a hand wave and nodded.

I'm still looking for that photographer to get those photos.

I went under the tape and off the course. I sat on the ground content to DNF. I am not sure how long I was on the ground, but something in me made me get up and back on the course.

At that point my goals shifted from 2-3 laps, to whatever I could do. I knew I was last. How can you be laster than last? Unless you DNF, which I had already resolved not to do.

Luckily, the next portion of the course was relatively flat. I could use the last section of lap 2 to regain my composure and regain a (what qualifies in cross as a) normal heart rate.

Photo courtesy of Patrik Zuest

I finished lap 2 and passed the LED sign that read "2 Laps To Go!"

I knew that mean just one more lap for me.

Onto lap 3.

Lap 3 went pretty much the same as lap 2 minus the hurling.

Photo courtesy of Woodinville Bicycle

Photo courtesy of Woodinville Bicycle

When I passed by Stu and the GS Team tent, I pretended to go for the hand out. As I rode past I yelled, "Oh no I missed!" and pretended to hit Stu in the crotch. I rode on to the sounds of howls and laughter.

I took the run up a bit more conservatively.

I rode down the first downhill/uphill combo, but dismounted for the uphill section. I trudged though the mud that had spiked my heart rate, and sprinted on foot through the second downhill/uphill combo.

I pushed hard to the end. I was not sure how they would signal the end of the race, but once I was on the paved road I saw the LED sign read "YOU ARE DONE!"

Pretty clear.

I rode though the finish line and stopped with another group of riders. Everyone there could see how hard I pushed. I was offered lots of fist bumps.

I slowly walked back to our tent, dropped off my bike, got changed, and some much needed food.

I watched my friends race and had a great time watching the final races with them.

Later on I looked that posted results. Turns out I was not last! I came in 30th out of 32. There were a few people that only did 1-2 laps.

Lap 1: 13:00.8
Lap 2: 13:57.4
Lap 3: 12:38.2
Total: 39:36.4

Woodland Park was definitely the most fun I've had doing cx. The course was different and more like a true cyclocross course.

I am glad I did not stop racing cyclocross after Aldergrove. This has been so much fun.

I did race with a heart rate monitor for this race and set some new records in Training Peaks.

Thanks for taking the time to read about my latest adventure in this new sport. It has been a blast! I am upset that I won't be doing this next year, but I'll be deep into my Ironman training by then.