1996 Race Schedule

San Jose International Triathlon. June 2, 1996. Lake Almaden,
San Jose, California.
With a 3/4 mile swim, this race is just shy of Olympic Distance. The bike is 40k and the run is a 10k. The course is pretty good, and I especially like the bike. Last year the race was held on one of the hottest days of the year, and the thermometer hit 105 degrees, YOW!! They ran out of water on the run, and that was a REAL drag. Since it's being held earlier this year, I hope it'll be cooler.
Update: Hot again this year, but only 96 degrees instead of 105. Plenty of water this time! Great race, I had a blast.

Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. June 9, 1996. San Francisco, California
This race is the stuff of legends! First you swim 1.5 miles from "The Rock" to Aquatic Park, through frigid, "shark-infested" San Francisco Bay. Then there's a 2-mile "warmup" run to Crissy Field, where you'll mount your bike for a hilly 18-mile ride through the scenic Presidio out to the historic Cliff House and the Great Highway by Ocean Beach. You'll return on the bike to the Presidio, and begin the torturous, 10-mile death mar---uh, run, which includes hills, dirt trails, hills, residential streets, hills, beaches, and hills, finally finishing up back at Crissy Field. *whew* Makes me tired just typing it!
Update: Once again, Alcatraz kicks my butt, and I enjoy it! A slightly longer course and a MUCH tougher current on the swim combined to render my time a slow 4:17:47 this year, but I fought hard to get that time. Check out the complete race report.

Danskin San Jose. June 30, 1996. Lake Almaden, San Jose, California.
The atmosphere at Danskin is totally unique and very special. I'm not real big on the "I am woman, hear me roar" type of thing, but this series really does a lot to encourage women to push their limits and learn to work with their bodies, not against them. It's great to see all the nervous newbies experiencing that first-time thrill right alongside the pros and the seasoned veterans. Always an exciting and enjoyable event. .75k Swim, 20k Bike, 5k Run
Update: A Brief Report on the '96 Danskin San Jose

Monterey Bay Challenge Triathlon. July 14th, 1996, Aptos, CA.
A new race in '96, and I'm really looking forward to it. Most races on my schedule I've already done at least once, so I'm glad to add a new event to the list. Distances are .5m Swim, 16m Bike, and 4m Run. A nice short-distance race between the Danskin sprint and the Vineman Half-IM.
Update: A Brief Report on the Inaugural Monterey Bay Challenge Triathlon

Half-Vineman Triathlon. July 27, 1996. Santa Rosa, California.
Yep, I'm doin' it! Wildflower convinced me that going long is FUN. Plus, there's a Clydesdale division at Vineman; last year's Female Clyde winner finished in 6:13:xx, and I reckon I can come pretty darned close to that. The scariest thing about this race is the Santa Rosa HEAT at the height of the summer, and the fact that the run course is totally open and exposed to the sun.....
Update: YEEHAW! TriBaby Goes Under 6 Hours (5:58:44) to Win the Women's Clydesdale Division at the Half-Vineman Triathlon by over 7 minutes! Read the full report.

Santa Barbara County Triathlon. August 24, 1996. Santa Barbara California.
This one unfortunately did not fit into my race schedule last year, so I'm determined to fit it in this year. I've heard it's a great event, and a beautiful location. Besides, would you believe it, I've never been to Santa Barbara before! 1m swim, 34m bike, 10m run. Excellent "in-between" distances--more than an Olympic, but less than a half-IM.
You know, "in-between" distances doesn't exactly make for a walk in the park. This race spanked TriBaby somethin' righteous, no doubt about it. Had to be one of the toughest races I've ever done, and definitely the toughest this season. Read the race report and learn about Pain! ;-)

The Triathlon at Pacific Grove. September 14, 1996. Pacific Grove, California
The inaugural event last year was my hands-down favorite triathlon ever. Olympic distance in a GORGEOUS setting. Challenging swim in very cold ocean water with a lot of kelp to keep things interesting. Flat & fast looped bike course with a couple of little rollers. Scenic and mostly flat looped run course along the coast, with the turnaround directly in front of the Monterey Bay Aquarium. It doesn't get any better than this! Go for it! 1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run.
Update: Had a decent race at PG, and thoroughly enjoyed the day. Check out the brief report.

Bass Lake Classic Triathlon. September 21, 1996. Bass Lake, California.
I took my very first division win in the women's Clydesdale division at this event in '95. It's a challenging course, and just high enough in altitude to make things a little tough. Organization was a bit spotty last year, but the course makes up for that. Olympic distance (IF they can measure the swim correctly this time! It was long by about .3 mile last year!), 1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run.
Update: There's just one word for Bass Lake this year: DISAPPOINTMENT. Unfortunately, two days before the race I came down with a nasty cold. Hoping against hope that I'd be well by Saturday, Skippy and I headed up to the Lake anyway Thursday evening. No dice. Major bummer!

Santa Cruz Sentinel Triathlon. October 6, 1996. Santa Cruz, California.
The traditional season finale for us Northern California tri-geeks not sufficiently studly (crazy? ;-) to be going to Kona. Not-quite-Olympic-distance with only a 23-mile bike, this event is always a blast. I'll be defending my '95 Women's Clydesdale Championship at Santa Cruz.
Update: Santa Cruz put a jaunty cap on the '96 season for me. On a crystal clear, hot day in Santa Cruz, I finished up with a completely unexpected PR of 2:31:57. Not sure if I'll get a full report written up, but we'll see...