Race Report: Mt. Rainier Duathlon 2004

I previously reported on this race in 2003, so there is no need to repeat more
than the bare outlines here: the race is based on Enumclaw, and it involves an
8.5 km run, a 48 km bike and a 6.5 km run. The last run is a shorter version of
the first, omitting the hilly section; this was the only change between this
year and 2003 when we ran the hills twice. The bike was still two 24km laps,
each involving an ascent and descent of Mud Mountain.

This event is essentially the first long multisport race of the season, and
accordingly attracts a fairly sparse but hardcore crowd. There were about 80
participants on the long course, with 40 more on a shorter version of about half
the distance. The top local women were well represented, in the form of Chris
Farias, Heidi Grimm (Army) and Anne Jensen (who DNFed). I was the only
Bellinghamster there; a big change from last year when half the Bellingham
Triathlon Club seemed to be in attendance.

Race morning brought brilliant sunshine, though the clear skies overnight made
for a chilly start to the day. The snowy cone of Ranier loomed white against the
bright blue sky, dominating the flat green farmlands dotted with dandelions and
bordered by steep heavily forested hillocks. The crisp mountain air and sunny
pastoral setting lightened the mood in the small grassed transition area humming
with athletes and exotic machinery. My humble Cannondale looked rather passe'
amidst the mass of Cervelos, Griffens and Litespeeds, though the bright yellow
spokes on my Xaeros always draw attention.

The race commenced in standard fashion, with a sprint start over the gravel
track around the Fairgrounds and the leaders streaking up the road before I even
got the circulation in my legs going. I was a little annoyed at being passed in
the early stages by a few folks who did not seem particularly competent, but I
knew things would improve as I warmed up. The sounds and pungent smells of farms
were all that distracted us from the broad views and our exertions as we made
our way out over the quiet smooth country roads. I found a good running partner
in the attractive form of Susie from Edmonds; together we soon dispatched the
crowd of pretenders. I was grateful for my weekly 10km pace run, which made the
sustained race speed come easily. Some pleasant conversation helped the hills
pass by as no more than incidental. We efficiently gobbled up the remaining
miles and a few more runners before jogging into T1 with just over 40 minutes
gone.

Exit from T1 involved a brief ride over a loosely graveled surface, not a happy
situation for a skittish racing steed and paranoid rider. I was glad to hit the
paved road and start mashing the big gears, pursuing successive bikers who
showed up in my sights as I wound my way through the twisty course. I counted
off my victims as I flew by, noting that the eighth one (at the start of the
first climb up Mud Mountain) was also racer number 8. I lost track somewhere
around number twelve near the top of the climb, when my brain was no longer
functioning particularly well. I was irritated by a guy I passed on the climb,
who ignored the drafting rules to repass me, and then attempted the same
maneuver again, trying to ride on my inside when I accelerated past him over the
summit. I just turned on the power to blow him away, anger fueling my speed.
Some young guys seem to resent being passed by an old man like me, and then
behave badly.

The road sweeping down the mountain seemed much smoother than last year, just
right for a tight tuck into the aerobars and getting as near terminal velocity
as possible. I still find high speed in the aerobars nerve-wracking despite
years of experience. I am always scared by the very limited and twitchy control
the aerobars provide, and the potential for launching over the front wheel if
you hit a bump when your weight is so far forward. So I stayed well clear of the
road shoulders and was relieved when the road leveled out again.

My second lap on the bike was almost certainly slower than the first. I felt
less edgy and didn't push far outside my comfort zone. I soon found myself
playing leapfrog along the country roads and up the mountain with another strong
rider. We exchanged encouraging words as we hammered our way over the course.
The climb didn't seem as hard this year as last time, though it still made my
sweatband so saturated that it began to act like a dam, with the sweat pouring
over the top whenever I tilted my head. I think we passed a few other
competitors on that lap, but by then we were in the ranks of the faster folks
where it is harder to make an impact. I cranked down the hill as hard as I could
and was gaining ground on a few guys ahead as we turned back onto the gravel and
ran into T2 just in time to see the race winners flying down to the finish line
on the adjacent field.

I had a fast transition and immediately hit a good pace for the run. I surprised
myself by how well I ran that second lap; once again those regular fast 10k's
paid off for me. I expected to be passed by a lot of folks, because everybody I
had passed on the bike had obviously had a faster first run and seemed likely to
repeat their performance on the second run. But as it happened I was not passed
by anyone, and the guys ahead did not gain a lot of ground on me either. There
was a guy in red right on my tail who kept me honest and cranking hard. It
helped to know that we would not have to run the hills so I did not have to be
too conservative. I turned it on over the last half mile just to be sure, and
had a comfortable cushion over my pursuer by the time the finish line came into
sight. It subsequently turned out that if I had passed the fellow in yellow two
ahead of me I would have qualified for Nationals in the 40+ division; not too
shabby for a 50-year-old. While I have no interest in going to duathlon
Nationals it is nice to know I got so close, and my run split compared to my
competitors was also a welcome ego-boost.

It was nice to lie in the sun on the grass, munching muffins and chatting with
fellow competitors as we watched the others finish. I can think of worse ways to
spend a sunny Sunday morning than hanging out on the lawn with Susie and her
gorgeous red-and-yellow Griffen. I knew I had probably won my division, since I
was the only one in it at pre-registration, so I waited for the awards ceremony.
I duly got to add another beer mug to the one I mistakenly won here last year
when they unaccountably aged me up. It was rather more satisfying to see that I
had also beaten all but two of the competitors in the two lower age divisions
(40-44 and 45-49) thanks to my fast bike split and decent runs.

This is a good early-season event on a moderately challenging course, with some
strong competition, and in an attractive rural setting. The atmosphere is very
friendly and low-key. While I have always stayed at a local hotel overnight
prior to the race, it is quite possible to drive down from Bellingham in the
early hours of race morning to make it to the 8am start. My driving time was
only just over 2.5 hours each way in weekend traffic.