The local classic.

I had been building towards this one all year. I haven’t been part of a real ultra endurance race in many years. Even the gravel racing I did last year I am not sure counts the same way. Those were certainly long (for me) and difficult (and fun) events but generally stopped the clock between 3 and 4 hours. Here I was looking at about 6 if things went well.

A few days before the race I got my old wetsuit out as things were shaping up for a wetsuit legal swim. I don’t know what I was thinking, I haven’t done a wetsuit swim in a very long time. I am a much different body than I was the last time I put that suit on. Needless to say, it didn’t fit - much too small. Now I was in a bit of a pickle. No suit and only a few days out from the race. Thankfully FrontRunners had stock and I was able to get myself a suit that fit.

It seems like the world has moved on from the chaos that was mass swim starts in triathlons. I remember Ironman Canada and starting with nearly 3000 ahtletes all at once. I was always so happy to be a front pack swimmer - it was tough going for about 400m. This race had a rolling start and it forced athletes through a narrow gate so that we pretty much were entering the water 1 at a time. It really made things less frightening.

I was very relaxed through the entire swim. Because of the start there was a general drafting effect without really having to sit on feet. Also, there wasn’t a fight at the turns or to get to the bouy line. I really focused on keeping the effort easy and to catch early and strong and finish long. I was utterly suprised to see the time on my watch when I got to my bike. I ended up swimming far quicker than I expected - certainly given the volume of swimming I did leading into things.

The first third of the bike course is punchy. Lots of ups and downs, difficult to get settled into a rhythm. By about 15K into the ride I was zoned in on the effort I figured was right and getting into down to business. Not too long after I was pulling left to pass another racer and hit a pot hole pretty hard with my back wheel. It made quite a sound and had me really worried I had wrecked something. However, there was no brake rub and the tire seemed to be holding air. So, nothing to worry about.

About half way through the bike loop there is a right hand turn following a long gentle downhill section. I need to bleed some speed to make the corner and when I touched the brakes the bike started squirming. It was super shakey. I came to a stop and began inspecting the rear wheel and I still didn’t find anything. Strange, no visible damage but super janky on the rear break. Also, the rear tire was still holding air. So, back to pedalling.

Another 10K or so on the course is a sharp uphill. It isn’t long but quite steep. Also, there is a busier road to be crossed at the base of the climb. Up the hill and out of the saddle. Then whatever was up with the rear wheel showed itself. I had much break rubbing and by the top of the climb little to no air in the rear. The way the sun was I could see the shadow of the tire, day light and the shadow of the rim. I stepped down and found that I had a big compression in the rim itself - hitting that pot hole had deformed the rim. There must also have been a slow leak as the tire was just about flat.

While I was carring a spare there was rough rim materials protruding that I believe were the cause of the puncture. Putting on a new tubular would just flat again shortly.

I made the decision to end my day. I didn’t fancy another 45K on a flat-ish rear tire with no ability to use the rear break or really push the bike into a turn.

I still had to get back to transition - even limping home would be faster than waiting for the broom wagon. Thankfully, there wasn’t much road between where I was and transition. It felt strange to be riding so gingerly during a race. It was the most strange feeling coming into T2 this way. The croud was all amped up and cheering and I am soft pedaling…

It was a some what disappointing ending to my day. I felt I was executing well on the bike and was setting the table for a solid overall performance. Despite recording my first ever DNF in a triathlon I was pleased. I was able to get into reasonable condition through my perperation and I executed well given my fitness.