I know, not the most prestigious of names, but it normally draws quite a field and is a very well run and organized race.  This year would not disappoint and included the last two years’ champions who subsequently turned professional, Michael Gordon and Jeff Smith.

It was raining and cool, which I like.  Throw a little wind in there and I am pretty happy when it comes to racing.  Don’t really like to train in that, but I love racing in it.

The swim was a typical early season Pacific Northwest swim in a 0% visibility lake due to the runoff.  Or, if you raced at Nationals in Kansas City, MO, just like that.  I led the swim from the start and was first out and with a 30 second lead on second.  I love the new B70 Helix!  I never use Body Glide anymore and it even comes off fast.  I got to my Trek and threw on my Rudy Project helmet and glasses.  Now it would be about getting a larger gap on the bike.  Michael can run with the best, and has done so in both Oly races and IMs… I, however, have not.  And Jeff can ride well but runs similarly to me, so I needed a gap on him too.

The bike was solid.  The Bontrager Aeolus wheels sliced through the standing water on the road up a windy false flat.  I knew it was slight uphill because my watts were high and my speed was low.  Or my brakes were rubbing?  I hit the turnaround and took a split on 2nd and realized I was about 3 minutes up on 2nd… NICE!  But I knew on the way back it would be fast and the opportunity to gain the same amount of time was not good.  I maintained the same power and my speed increased dramatically as well, as did everyone’s.

I was first into T2 and it was solid.  I threw on my Zoot shoes, and I was off and running on a mud trail.  Since it had rained, this mud just stuck to the bottom of your shoes.  You could literally feel it stacking up on the bottom of the shoe.  I was running about 50 steps and then shuffling to wipe it off.  It felt like I was running with weights on.  But it was only for the first mile and the last mile.

 I just wanted to get to the turnaround and start running back.  I took a split on my TIMEX iPod watch… because it’s orange… as I rounded the cone and started back.  Up the road I could see Michael coming towards me.  It looked like he was flying.  Granted, he was running on a slight downhill and I was on a slight uphill.  But I am sure it looked like I was pulling an ox cart.  I had a pretty good gap.  One that would be tough for any runner to close assuming I could maintain.  I started down the muddy trail and knew I was within 1 mile.  Though he would have had to run about 4 minute miles to catch me, I still had to look back.  As I rand down the trail it was nice to acknowledge all the athletes that were on their way out that were cheering for me as well.  I was able to muster an exhaling ‘thanks,’ or a nod and a finger point.  I think it’s important to acknowledge people.  Especially when they are in the race too and make it a priority to give you a little boost.  I held off Michael and was the 2008 Onion Man Champion.  Which also yields a $100 bill too.  Just enough for gas to get me home.  A good day.

I have to wonder, what race names have you found that were a tad odd?