So last Sunday, September 12, 2010, I did the Malibu Nautica Classic Triathlon. This race is a half-mile swim, 18mile bike and 4 mile run: a bit longer than most sprint distance races. I really enjoyed this race. The biggest drawbacks are the cost, as it is quite expensive compared to many other races, and the fact that when registration opens it sells out in a few minutes, making it difficult to get in. But the swim course at Zuma Beach is quite nice. The bike ride is along Pacific Coast Highway from Zuma to Leo Carillo and back. The rolling hills are a bit challenging, but overall a nice ride. And then a very, very flat run along the beach. The event was well-organized and I can’t think of anything negative to criticize. Well, maybe one thing. Which I will talk about later. But rather minor.

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So this past Sunday, July 18, 2010, I raced the Olympic Distance at the Strawberry Fields Triathlon in Oxnard, California. One thing I will say about this race, is that if we do it again, we are going to stay overnight in Oxnard the night before the race. Under ideal conditions the drive from our house is about 1.5 hours, but when is traffic through L.A. ideal? OK, at 4 am on Sunday morning yes (heading to the race on morning of), but for packet pickup the afternoon before NOT. Must have spent 8 hours driving to/from Oxnard this weekend. Blech!

Saturday, the day before the race, we went down to the packet pickup. We got there late in the afternoon, about 4:30 PM. It was chilly and windy. After the 100-degree temps we’d been experiencing at home the past week, the tank top I wore was just not sufficient. It seemed the race might be cold the next day. Packet pickup was well-organized. Transition area was nearly set up. We drove the bike course just to see what I had in store the next day. One thing about this race, the run and bike courses are some of the flatest I’ve had the opportunity to run on.

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