Race #3- Angel’s Camp, May 12

We entered this race rather late after hearing good things, like “you can win a Rock” from Team Soares. We needed to shake out the cobwebs and squash some butterflies in preparation for our first major triathlon of the year the following weekend, “The World’s Toughest” (half-ironman) which would take part in the rugged countryside of the endurance capital of the world, Auburn. We thought that a sprint triathlon (1000ydS/16miB/4miR) would do the trick.

We also had some equipment to test. We retired our 6-year old Orca wetsuits and bought new ones touting cutting edge technology that supposedly featured “breathable rubber” and graduated to new-generation Newton running shoes that would promote good form and provide additional spring to each step.

Sherwick 1:25:29, 1^st age-group, 2^nd masters, 8^th overall men

“The mass swim started off fast and furious. At times, it seemed like I was in the lead group with only a few swimmers in front of me. But then I would glance off to my right and see scores of others who seemed to be going off-course!” said Sherwick. “Well, it turned out I was navigating the CCW course correctly as I reached the first buoy dead-on in the top ten. Troy (Soares) counted me in 8^th place as I left T1. I tried to hold a good pace but really hammer the hills. It paid off as I got up to 4^th just before the bike turn-around and also just before Kevin Kennedy (the eventual winner) passed me!

I came into T2 in 5^th place and went through my usual (slow) ironman transition. That immediately dropped me down to 6^th starting the run. My heart rate just kept climbing and I thought it would be wise to back it down a bit. I was also having difficulty negotiating the very-narrow single-track in my Newtons; running on the balls of my feet on the uneven surface was painful as my ankle is still weak from my highside at Infineon over 6 months ago! I eventually finished in 8^th overall as I also lost the lead masters spot to David LeRoy (thanks for the pictures!) and one other one youngster. All in all it was a lot of fun to get back to triathlon racing!”

Sherwick on the single-track

Jami 1:33:11, 1^st age-group, 2^st overall women

“I was indeed rusty jumping into this first triathlon of 2007 after almost a one-year hiatus since Ironman Coeur d’ALene. As the race started I fought the claustrophobic sensation that the swim start produces and vied for open water. In doing so, I had drifted too far outside and had to work my way back inward, losing time.

Our good friend Troy (Soares) counted me in 5^th coming out of the water. I managed a very fast transition ahead of three women when my lack of practice transitioning to my bike shoes while they were attached to pedals caused me to lose two of the three spots I had gained. Nevertheless, I pushed the pedals steadily and passed both of them by the top of the first hill and never looked back.

Rolling into transition, I was in a solid 2^nd place as I saw the 1^st place woman going out on the run with about a two-minute lead. With only four miles to catch her, I’d have to run really hard or hope that she would fade. I ran as fast as I could with my Newton shoes which, like Sherwick, proved to be challenging on the uneven dirt trails, but I never saw her until I was approaching the finish line.

I was pleased with the day’s performance plus a win in my age-group and a chance to work out the bugs while getting warmed up for our major race next week!” said Jami.

Jami finishing strong in her Newton shoes

Enjoy the ride!

–- Team JaS

Special thanks to:

Fiber Wise Pasta

Panolin America Lubricants

Vortex Racing Components

Oxtar Boots

Stomp Design Stompgrips

Suomy Helmets

LeoVince Exhaust Systems

Motowheels Performance Parts

Michelin Tires