2006 San Jose International Triathlon Race Report
It's true. I worship food. Food can make an otherwise ordinary day extrodinary. It can warm you up on a chilly Parisian spring morning - when each sip of the steamy hot chocholate gently flows down your throat and diffuses the warmth into you body. Eating is healing - bite into a juicy, BBQ Sauce covered hamberger at the end of an 120-mile ride sooth the body and the mind. I will eat anything that has less than 6 legs - but if prepared right, I have no problem trying some 6 or 8-legged delicacies. I like to preach and share the magnificence of the food - I'm deeply sympathetic to people with food allergies and will go out of my way to find something good for them to eat.
The food is why, my fellow triathletes, I do the San Jose International Triathlon year after year. Instead of staying with the team the day before the race, I chose to spend some quality time with my parents. I also did it because I get to have my secret weapon breakfast in the morning: Mom's Banana Bread. I've had fancy pastries from world-class patissiers but let me tell you this, I don't care if the pastry is sprinkled with gold flakes, infused with truffles, or hand-kneaded by virgins, nothing beats my mom's banana bread. Two slices of those in the morning, and no cramps during the race. I'll even take the Pepsi challenge against that Baker's Cookie stuff.
After a satisfying breakfast, I showed up to the transition and surprised to find a rack for Columbia University! Andy "The Enemy" Jessop from CAL recognized me, "Hey Sinclair, are you the only person representing Columbia?" A whole rack to myself when MIT and Notre Dame had to share? I guess Ivy League comes with its perks. "My good fortune is your good fortune!" I said to Hiep and Hao when they showed up later and frantically looked for an empty UCD rack. Roper joined his relay team next to me shortly after. "I can't believe I paid $50 for a 1000m swim", Matt pouted.
"Don't beat me too bad today!" Without turning around, I knew who that was. That's Dave Campbell's standard greeting before a race. The thing is, he's actually really fast, especially when you consider his advanced age. :) I met a new MC, Alex, who looked ready to race.
You all know how SJIT starts: the bagpipe music followed by the cannon. The swim was rough; I've never been kicked and elbowed so many times in a race. Zipp was busy fisting people in the butt. At least this time it's a co-ed start. BTW, his post-race recount of this is always hilarious; he'll show you how the arm extends and the fingers slowly bent into a fist upon impact. Dave was busy climbing on the back of some girl, accidentally I'm sure. Cator and Tammy run into T1 shortly after me, and that means I had a good swim! I felt strong surprisingly strong heading out on the bike. Haydu blew passed me at mile 2, and I was sure that's the last time I'll see him. Strangly enough, he never got too far. I still felt good at the bike turn around - so good in fact, I thought I could ride through a concrete wall. I picked up the pace. Haydu followed. We were both surprised when we passed Britta. "Wow, Britta is very far ahead!" Haydu and I continued to leap frog each other until T2.
With Paul and Sarah's cheers, I sped out T2. I was still feeling great, but my legs were moving in slow motion! I looked down and yelled, "Come on bitch, RUN faster! This is not an Ironman!" Then, Haydu passed me for good. I was expecting to see Scott at the first turn-around, but I was greeted by Britta instead. Boy, I had no idea she's such a great runner! Max came next. "Hey Max, did something happen to Scott? Did he crash?" Fortunately, Scott came by not too long after. I was glad to see him really pushing the run. I mean, he better, especially after I pulled his butt through most of Cantelow the day before. "Hey Scott, how about some help?" "No man, I've gotta save some energy for Adam tomorrow." Kidding aside, Scott has really worked hard this year, and it is paying off.
Finally, the after race food! I don't know of any other race that has free beer and BBQ. Last year, they even had chow-mei. Shannon (vegetarian #1) was in line in front of me, Beth (vegetarian #2) was behind. I told the chicken guy, "Hey man, I promise I won't take any salad, so how about some more chicken?" Beth apparently didn't hear my exchange with that guy. She busted out laughing upon seeing the contrast between our plates - she's got nothing but veggies; I've got everything but veggies. Vegetarians... Chef Anthony Bourdain wrote a short tribute to vegetarians in the chapter "From Our Kitchen to Your Table" in his book "Kitchen Confidential". I love that book.
Whew, that's a long report. It's time to eat!