›Beaver Blog (The 2005 Beaver Freezer)
Race date: April 1, 2005 (Corvallis, Oregon)
by Joe Barrett
We start on a breezy April Fool’s day. The clouds are present, but friendly as we approach Sisters. As we look towards the Pass, rain and wind seem likely. This is confirmed as cars traveling east have headlights blaring. We brace against a torrent as Hoodoo stands watch. Heading towards highway 20 it appears as though it will be an arduous ride. But, the award of the Beaver Freezer waits…. it’s supposed to be cold!
As we begin our descent into the Willamette Valley a shift in the weather occurs. We are greeted by breaks of a strange beam coming through the clouds. The sun illuminates the South Santiam River as we follow westward. The moss-covered trees traverse the waters as we slowly meander along the shores. Things now appear like a rain forest and very majestic. I have developed a new perspective now that I reside in the high desert.
This will be my third attempt at the vaunted “Freezer” and I am hopeful of setting a PR of under 1:09. Brother Dan is also ready to kick my ass as this race represents his home course. We sit with my father hashing over the past. Two years ago we suffered through wind and rain. A myth is gaining force that I “rose from the dead” in order to beat my brother on the run. My father dramatically recalls my odd recovery from a viral illness on that day of yore. I sit now wondering what will come of this year’s edition. I have headed Mark Allen’s words of low heart rate. Will it pay off? Can I quell these pre race jitters? Will green tea be the performance enhancer that I need?
The weather appears overcast, but calm, as I look towards an orange to begin my pre-race feeding. Next I power up on some eggs and toast. Brother Dan prompts me for the brief bike ride down to campus. It looks like a great day for racing. Conditions are dry and it’s about 50 degrees…all right!
The transition area is a bit congested as I try to sandwich my bike in position. The heats of swimmers are going off about 10 minutes behind. Plenty of time to warm up for the big show. I am the first swimmer in my lane. The start is announced. That typical surge of adrenalin rushes through my system as I blast off. After about 150 yards the surge starts to die and the dude behind me passes me. I then fall in line for a much more aerobic, but slow, swim leg. Out of the water at 7:45, 15 seconds behind my goal. As I run toward the bike family are cheering in support…that’s the best.
After a leisurely transition I head out on the bike segment. The route is a bit different, and better with less involvement in traffic. I head up the first hill and begin to pass folks. Near the turn-around I notice another participant from Bend wearing F.A.S.T. gear. It turns out to be Patrick Erwert and he and this other woman soon take off down the hill ahead of me. It seems as though I can catch them. But I seem to be slowly drifting backwards. I finish the bike mostly riding stealth. Some guy tries to cut me off around the second turn-around cone, and things aren’t all better when he says “sorry man.”
With about 300 yards left on the bike I decide to gear down and spin off excess lactic. Unfortunately my gears don’t find the maneuver all that swift and I drop the chain. “Well now I can really spin!” I think as I glide into T-2 like a snail having no gears engaged. I see the transition, but am instructed to encircle the whole area before I can rack the bike and retrieve running shoes. After a brief inability to find the shoes I am off with my race number upside down.
The run is painful to start with, as usual. I find my stride after a while though and see Patrick again near the end of race. I try to finish strong, but can’t quite catch him. Family is waiting with lots of strokes at the finish. The best part is just participating.
Oh by the way, my brother took off in the heat before me. His time of 1:09:55 was a mere five seconds behind me. Better luck next year bro, hope the weather agrees again….
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