The Race:
Vineman 70.3.
Sonoma County, California. A beautiful wine-growing region (hence the name
‘Vineman’) about 90 minutes from San Francisco. The race is run by a great team
of people and the course takes in all the amazing scenery the region has to offer.
The event has a reputation of being one of the half-ironman classics, which is
further emphasized by the number of top professional athletes that toe the line
each year. The amazing hospitality of the community and the attractive prize
purse are two more ticks of approval that draw some big names to this event.
The Players:
Craig Alexander
(AUS), Timothy O’Donnell (USA), Kevin Collington (USA), Mark Bowstead (NZL),
Luke Bell (AUS), Ben Collins (USA), Matt Reed (USA),
TJ Tollakson
(USA).
The Action:
I felt great on
race morning and after setting up my transition and warming up I meandered down
to the race start. The swim is basically 950m straight up river, U turn and
swim 950m back. I swam up the front, utilizing any chance I could get to
‘dolphin dive’ as the water was shallow enough at point to be only thigh deep.
The pack didn't split too much and a group of 8 of us emerged from the Russian
River, including all the names mentioned above. ^^
Bowstead and
Collins ripped through transition and immediately went to work at the beginning
of the ride, leaving the rest of us to chase hard early from the beginning.
After about 5 km the pace settled and we were all firmly established in the
group.
Despite feeling
like I was in good run shape, I didn't want to get off the bike with a big
group. It just leaves too much to chance, especially when 5 time world champion
Craig Alexander is in the mix. Tim Reed had given me some extremely valuable
information about the course that he used last year to help him win the event
and I was keen to employ a similar tactic. I had
spent the last few days riding the back 30 kilometres of the bike course where
there are some sturdy hills and tight, technical sections with the hope of
establishing a little break from the pack.
Coming through
about half way on the bike I decided to give it a push on one of the
downhill/technical sections to see what was in my legs. I got a 50m advantage
and decided to fully commit to my pre race plan right at that moment.
I was unsure of how
much time I was gaining but I kept the pressure through the pedals for the
remainder of the ride and blasted into transition, knowing that this is where I
would find out how much time I had to play with. As I trotted out onto the run
someone called out that I had 2 minutes over the chase pack. Almost an
identical situation to what occurred at Cairns 70.3 a month prior.
I tried to remain controlled
and knew if I ran to my ability then I would have a good chance at winning. Although
it’s never a comfortable feeling when you have some seriously quality runners
chasing you down! I got to about 14km and was still holding my 2min advantage
to Craig who I knew would be the one leading the charge. It was here that I kept
telling myself to remain relaxed and I was able to really enjoy the final
kilometer and the finish chute. Craig Alexander showed age is no barrier and
came in 2nd with Kevin Collington running strongly to round out the
podium.
Huge personal
thanks to my sponsors, my wonderful home stay in Santa Rosa, Rob and Shelli
Main, and my home away from home in Boulder, Pam and Warren Schuckies. You guys
are all amazing.
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| Thanks to Shelli my amazing homestay. Rob was out racing while this was taken! |
I am now getting
into gear for 70.3 World Championships on August 30 in Zell Am See, Austria.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for reading!
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| A magnum of local red. 3 litres worth! |
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| When in California you must stop at In and Out Burger |
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| Did the tourist thing |
