KoOlina Triathlon

A cloudless early morning with the full moon shining on the calm pacific and the lapping of waves made for a relaxing meditation before the hectic activity of the KoOlina Triathlon. Last Sunday Oct. 8, over 300 participants were going to toe the line in less than 2 hours at 7 am. My transition was set up and I ran around two of the four lagoons that we would soon be swimming. I was loosening up, and looking for a place to stretch and found a nice lawn next to the water’s edge. After doing my stretches, I faced the water and the moon for a short meditation period. Focusing on breathing I found myself calm and reserved. Then a slow jog back to transition for the pre-race briefing as the sun was beginning to lighten up the horizon.

We walked from transition to the first of the four lagoons for what is a unique start to this race. We would swim the lagoon then run to the next, swim and run until we finished all four lagoons. It was total of 660 meters between start and T1. I was in the last of eight wave starts which I was regretting but soon my attitude about that changed. When our group hit the water I gave it an all-or-nothing effort. My goal was to get to the podium. At the start line was my friend Dave who I knew could beat me on the bike and we were about the same level at running. The only advantage I had over him was at swimming. I also saw Eric who is in a league of his own. That left only third place on the podium to grab. Exiting the first lagoon I saw Eric far ahead and Dave not too far behind. Exiting the second lagoon Eric was nowhere to be seen and Dave was closing in. Dave finally caught me on the run to the fourth lagoon and exited a few seconds before me. I beat him out of T1 in 1:46 but that only lasted a few hundred yards.

Once out on the bike I was determined not to let anyone pass me. After the first mile a gal passed me but I overtook her a few hundred yards later going up a small climb. This little hill kicked my but last year and I wasn’t going to let it happen again. The bike is fast but technical. My attitude about starting last had now changed as I knew exactly who was ahead of me. I wouldn’t have to worry about faster people in a wave behind me now. In past races that would confuse me as to who was or wasn’t in my age group. I kept passing more and more making sure nobody closed in on me. I saw Eric once on an out and back but didn’t see Dave. I knew he was there somewhere but where? Entering T2 after the 18 mile ride, I knew I had a good chance at third. A 46 second transition was all I needed to get going.

On the run I felt confident. I picked a good pace that had me in a comfort zone. As I ran I tried to keep focus for the 4.7 mile run. It was a beautiful 2 lap run around the resort going around the four lagoons twice, again passing others while making sure no one gained any ground on me. On lap two at the third lagoon, I knew it was about 1 more mile to home. My legs were aching and I couldn’t pick up the pace any more until circling the last lagoon. On the final 100 meters I could hear the announcer call my name and I knew that third place was mine.

When the times were posted they didn’t include the age group standings. I waited and when they finally posted them I saw that I was 5th. How could that be? No one passed me and only Eric and Dave were ahead of me. Talking to Dave he assured me that we had 2nd and 3rd so I stuck around for the awards. I was a bit apprehensive when they got to my age group but when they called me up for third I was relieved. I now had another medal to give to my daughter and that made me happy.

The KoOlina Triathlon has always been my favorite race. It is well run and on a fast and beautiful course. If anyone comes to Hawaii in early October, it is a good pre race for the Ironman usually 2 weeks later.