Grand Columbian Iron Distance Race Review - Sep 17, 2005
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RV posted 3 years ago.
Awesome race - great job.
Checked out the website - looks like a nice race.
Those are incredible course photos.
And only $285 - Quite the bargin - And only 85 entrants.
Congrats on a great finish.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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fishyken posted 3 years ago.
Thanks RV. Did you happen to notice that the race champion was from your neck of the woods (WI)? His first Iron distance, too.
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RV posted 3 years ago.
Ya, Fond du Lac is near by.
6'th overall and still 4'th in your AG. Had some good competition. Looks like an exciting race.
RV
It takes a long time to get good. - Scott Molina
Slow is smooth; smooth is fast. - Rich Strauss
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fishyken posted 3 years ago.
In the results, "Roadkill" was a relay team. Kinda lame that they were listed as #1.
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kylie posted 3 years ago.
Ahhh ok. I wondered what the R aprt of the category was for.
Not sure if I think it was lame that they were listed as #1... in most results pages I've seen relays were included in the overall ranking. I just don't think I've seen one win it before.
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toni posted 3 years ago.
Nice job Ken! I'm still super bummed that I couldn't come out to support you, but it sounds like you had a great fan base there.
Congrats again and thanks for posting the run down about your race!
-Toni
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. - FDR
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fishyken posted 3 years ago.
Hey Toni, maybe we'll cross paths in a race or two next year... all of my 2005 races were in Eastern WA (Walla Walla, Chelan, Grand Coulee), and I'm sure I'll race out there in '06. I really prefer racing out there... more open roads and blue skies.
Kyillee, you're probably right... I just hadn't ever noticed relays posted with the overall results before because I hadn't seen one finish first. It's not that big a deal... everyone knows where they finished.
Cheers
Ken
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fishyken posted 3 years ago.
Grow out the hair on my legs, drink some beer, sleep in, and spend time with my friends. :)
Probably no Iron distance next year... probably do a few sprints and an oly distance, and more mountain biking and ultimate frisbee.
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Geo posted 2 years ago.
Is the yahoo group still around for the Grand Columbian? great race review, cant wait til september!!
"As long as theres water...Chilly, Wet, Water!"
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Review of the Grand Columbian Triathlon, Grand Coulee, WA, on September 17, 2005.
This was the 2nd year of the race, with both Iron and Half-Iron distances. There were approximately 85 entrants in the full, and 330 in the half.
This was my first Iron distance race, and I have to give it TWO THUMBS WAY UP. The race director, Jonathan Hoskins, has put together a terrific race, in a spectacular (and challenging) venue, with awesome community support.
The swim was in Banks Lake, nice wetsuit temps and flat water. The bike is particularly challenging, with a steep climb in the first few miles, and continuous rollers almost the whole way (8,000 gross feet of vertical). The bike is also very scenic, rolling on a high mesa through wheatfields and sweeping views of the Cascades in the distance. The run was pancake flat 2x out and back, on a gravel trail along the Columbia River, except for a 1/4 mi steep climb to the finish.
One of the best aspects of the race is the Yahoo email group, which anyone can sign up for (see race website below). There was lots of discussion in the months before the race between the RD and the athletes, and among the athletes on how we were preparing for the race. There are also several semi-supported training weekends held on the course during the summer. Going into the race, I really knew what to expect.
The race was very well-supported. For such a small community in a rural area, the level of volunteer participation was amazing. On-course aid stations were generously spaced and well-stocked.
The weather was perfect, high 60's/low 70's with little wind, which is apparently typical for that area in mid-September.
Personally, my day exceeded all expectations. Caught a great draft on the swim, stayed steady on the bike, and had gas left in the tank for a good run. Finished 6th overall, in 11:34. Still can't believe it. Family, girlfriend, and friends there to cheer me on and celebrate at the finish line made it all sweeter.
Next year they're doing Full-Iron and Half-Iron distances again, as well as ITU Long Course Distance (Swim 4K/ Bike120K/Run 30K). There is a ton of info on the race website.
http://www.thegrandcolumbian.com/index.htm