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- Tichelaar 2nd at Treasure Island Triathlon: Race Report
- By Paul Tichelaar
Hello,
Because my dad had a credit with Westjet that was due to expire in November (thanks Dad) I decided to put one more race on my schedule to finish off the triathlon season. I started my season at the Fast Triathlon in Brazil in January and have just finished it here in San Francisco. The Treasure Island Triathlon is part of the Tri California Pro Series which includes the prestigious Wildflower half-Ironman, and the Accenture Escape from Alcatraz. The series offers good prize money, plenty of exposure, and a chance to race some of the best in the sport.
I arrived Friday afternoon with just enough time to make it to my homestay's (thanks Jeff for letting me crash at your place) house to drop off my bags and then rush off to the race meeting. I had no time for any training at all on Friday and so I was a little nervous about my preparation. I knew I was really fit, but I wasn't very good with the details on this trip. There were 25 men on the start list and everyone was looking at Matt Reed of the USA (ranked # 7 in the world) as the man to beat.
The swim took place in the chilly waters of the San Francisco Bay. My Aquaman wetsuit kept my body warm, but there was no protection for my hands, feet, and face which quickly went numb. I had a clean start and within the first 50m established myself at the front of the race. I was able to relax throughout the whole swim and hold on to the lead. I was surprised at my swimming ability, although I have been training very consistently on a program designed by Craig Taylor and Lance Watson of the National Triathlon Centre in Victoria. I was passed by Brian Fleishman in the last 200m as he sprinted for the swim preem to get himself some additional series points.
I had a smooth first transition and made it onto my Guru bicycle before anybody else. I led the first half a lap while waiting for the group to form behind me and pick me up. There were 7 of us at the front of the race with 2 chase packs already a minute or more behind after the swim. The course was flat but very technical and over some very rough pavement. I was very concerned that I would get a flat tire and have to retire from the race. Luck was with me though and our group rolled along uneventfully for 6 laps of the course.
Coming into the second transition I had made a mistake when I almost dismounted before the dismount line as an official was waving a flag (signaling caution) which I mistook to be "dismount". I managed to swing my leg back over my seat and continue 100m to the actual dismount line. Unfortunately, I lost a few valuable seconds to Matt Reed with my mistake. I had a little trouble slipping my running shoes onto my feet and lost another few seconds. By the time I got running I was already 10 seconds behind Matt, in second place. Matt took the run out very hard and I lost another 10 seconds in the first kilometer. Even so, I managed to shake off the third and fouth place runners by the kilometer mark. I settled into my rhythm knowing that I would not be able to catch Matt and that I likely would be able to hold off everyone behind me.
The finish line came soon enough and I finished in second place. I had lost 25 seconds to Matt on the run and finished in a time of 1:51:26, 35 seconds off the win. I definately had some good form in the race, and but for a few missed details and mistakes I might have been able to give the world ranked # 7 man a run for his money. I am very happy with the result and should thank the organisers of the race for putting on a great event and sending me home with a very respectable cheque.
My last race of the year will be the Cross Country 10 km Nationals in Vancouver, December 3rd.
Thanks for reading.
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 Lance Watson
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