What is quickly becoming a "can't miss" event... not only because of the race site, but just as much for the outstanding accommodations and race day transportation... took place this past weekend. Many thanks to DC's mom and dad!!!
If you compare finish results available for the past few years... you'll realize this race generally attracts some outstanding triathletes in NC and VA. I was looking forward to gauging my efforts this weekend against ~180 fellow participants. Chad Isbell and I made our way to the Caudle compound, at Kerr Lake, late Saturday afternoon. DC took us out on the family pontoon for a trip across the lake, where we landed at the 'swim start' location. We walked up to the transition area for our own pre-race briefing. Before getting back on the boat, I took a dip in the lake to check the water temp... perfect. None expected this to be a wet suite legal race. Afterwards, DC's parents taxied us back into Henderson for a carb- loading dinner at Pino's Italian Restaurant. What a meal! Sunday morning.... With a 8am race start, we loaded our bikes & race gear onto the pontoon at approximately 6:30. A bit chilly crossing the lake, with the air temp at 57 degrees. We arrive at the state park boat ramp and successfully unload... no bikes or gear dropped into the lake! Thanks Capt'n Woody Caudle, for the safe arrival! To further DC's advantage on his "home" race course, we find out that the Set-Up Events staff has made the call... this WILL be a wet suite legal race, as they are going with a water temp reading of 74 degrees. Not sure where that reading was taken, but had to be at the bottom of the coldest deepest part of the lake. :-) None the less, DC was stoked... and when you look at his swim result, you'll see why! Dude swims like a dolphin in a wet suite!! 8am sharp... first wave, donning white swim caps (open elite & men 44- under), hit the water for the mile swim counter-clockwise around 4 orange buoys off in the distance. Bodies everywhere... felt like a salmon swimming upstream somewhere in Alaska. Traded unintentional kicks and punches... and swam over, under, and around many fellow triathletes on the way to the first turn buoy. Chad and DC reported the same, after the race. Bike course was great... no wind to start. Rolling hills and a couple challenging climbs were present for the first 15 or so miles of the 24 total. Although the major portion of the climbs were left behind, the wind picked up for the remainder of the 9 miles... head and cross wind mostly. Run course was a 2 loop 3.1 mile trip... with a short portion on a gravel drive, which provided nice shade for a bit of a cool-off before hitting the pavement once again. Best part of this 6.2 mile run is the final 2 miles. You climb a long false-flat getting there, which challenges tired legs, but you know at the turn around... it would be all downhill to the finish! I'll definitely remember this for next year!! Final report... DC cruises for a great "home town boy" 8th place men's finish and 2nd in his age-group! Nice work DC!! You worked hard for that pretty key-chain... and as Chad put it, "You'll have to hang that on the wall." :-) One of the highlights of this race, for me, was meeting fellow Wilsonian, Y member, and soon to be CoWs rider, Chad Isbell. Only his second triathlon (Pinehurst Olympic the other)... great finish, buddy! Men's Division (105 participants): 8th Place : David Caudle Swim: 00:24:19 Bike: 01:06:46 Run: 00:45:48 Overall: 02:18:44 24th Place:David Wilhelm Swim: 00:28:22 Bike: 01:10:29 Run: 00:48:39 Overall: 02:30:19 94th Place Chad Isbell Swim 00:31:34 Bike: 01:37:48 Run: 01:02:25 Overall: 03:15:52 -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "CyclistsOfWilson-COWs" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected]. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/cyclistsofwilson-cows?hl=en.
