(4-13-09) Submitted by Dave Campbell - It stayed dry! This had to count as the first victory of the 2009 season and it was experienced by all 239 competitors in the traditional Northwest multisport season opener! The skies were grey and breezy and the cool air was great for running but still a little chilly for cycling in this run/bike/run contest on the flat roads of Marine Drive along the Columbia River near the Portland International Airport. A 15-mile bike segment is sandwiched by two 5k out-and-back runs that take athletes in opposite directions for the first and second run portions, which subjected athletes to crosswinds throughout in this first test of early-season fitness.
31-year-old Jay Cech of Portland ran to an early lead with a blistering 16:16 first run leg, trailed by the duo of Jeremy Tolman at 22 seconds and Josh Monda at 29 back. 35-year-old Jennifer Seibel of West Linn ran strongly in front (20:27) with 31-year-old Jenn Mock of Camas, WA close behind.
The bike leg made it clear exactly how strong this year's field was and how many serious athletes were present as the number of very low and aerodynamic riders stretched out along sleek machines with disc wheels and aero helmets was staggering. 26-year-old John Banks, clad in the blue colors of Portland Velo devoured the bike course in 34:21, the fastest time on the day by a minute and a half and nearly 26mph! Although he would make the top 10 overall, his running kept him out of contention for the win. 27-year-old Josh Monda of Vancouver, WA meanwhile, was making his move into the race lead with a 35:54, second best on the day to lead off the bike. The ageless Lauren Binder of Portland, humbled not only many a man (35th best bike overall) but many a young man to put over two minutes into the next fastest woman and take control heading into the deciding final run.
Monda stamped his authority on the event with a race-best 17:32 final run (5:39 per mile pace) to break the tape in 1:11:38 for a convincing victory, two and a half minutes faster than when he won last year…in better conditions. Early leader Cech closed with a 17:43 to claim second in 1:13:45 with 28-year-old John Paul Ramirez of Kirkland, WA in 3rd with 1:15:09. Binder ran a 22:40, only 32 seconds slower than her first run to win the women's race in 1:29:07, a minute and a half clear of Seibel with Seattle's Tracy Tyson claiming third after a sprint finish to the line (same time!).
Always a great runner, 41 year old Dave Florence of Canby won the Masters in 1:16:50 (9th overall), which he credited to a new, more aerodynamic bike and bike position. His winter training might have had something to do with it too as he was looking strong and lean. Binder was top Masters woman as well, demonstrating convincingly that age doesn't have to mean diminished performance. 47-year-old Marsha Medcalf of Vashon, WA took the trophy home (1:41:18) since Lauren claimed the overall win (no double dipping). Portland Tri Club Masters was the top team, by over 6 minutes with 42-year-old Sean McCarthy running both legs very consistently (20:59 and 21:16 respectively) and Tom Ricciardi (38:05) putting in a solid bike.
It was great to see the faces of fellow competitors again after a long, wet winter and bask in the comradely and competitive spirit that makes multisport what it is. Personally I raced within 10 seconds of my time last year (this counts as great success when your years are as advanced as mine) but plummeted eight places which tells me we had not only a great field at the race but the athletes are training well and improving!
There are a variety of "pool swim" sprint triathlons throughout the Willamette Valley over the next month and I recommend racing them. They are fun, a great test of fitness, and can be important training building blocks for longer events especially when combined with additional training after and long warm-ups before. Of course, the next big rendezvous will be the Blue Lake Triathlon (June 13-14). I look forward to writing these columns again throughout the season, so until then train smart, have fun, and I will see you at the races!
