Recreation
Triathlon with a view
By Katherine Nichols
Advertiser Staff Writer
When was the last time you got really muddy? Or rode a bike through a river near a herd of grazing cattle? Or won an award for crashing more than anyone else?
Photo courtesy of Raul Boca
When was the last time you did all three?
After an ocean swim and before a trail run, competitors brave a creek crossing in the bike segment of the MountainMan triathlon.
Part of the adventure associated with the MountainMan Triathlon Series, said race director Raul Boca, is that the events provide opportunities to explore areas of Hawai'i people rarely get to see. In fact, parts of the courses in Waimea Valley Adventure Park and Kualoa Ranch are normally off-limits to the public.
The new run course at Waimea is now 50 percent trail, including a creek crossing within the first 100 meters that will leave running shoes soaked, and a turnaround with views of the waterfall and the entire North Shore.
"People cannot go where we're going to go (in the races) anymore," said Boca, a veteran of 13 Ironman-distance triathlons and the man who has made mountain bike triathlons accessible to the average athlete in Hawai'i.
The first off-road triathlons gained popularity in the mid-1990s with the genesis of adventure racing and when mountain biking began to draw a wider audience. Like road triathlons, the swim takes place in the open ocean or in a lake. Instead of a test of speed and aerodynamics, however, the bike portion covers rugged, back country dirt trails, with anaerobic, muscle-searing climbs paired with technical, treacherous descents. The run section often traverses a trail that requires navigation on wobbly legs.
Mountain bike: $700 will get you a heavy full-suspension bike (full or dual suspension is better for beginners because it keeps the wheels in better contact with the ground over rough terrain, which gives you more control). The lighter the bike, the more youâll spend. Bike jerseys: $59.95 and up Triathlon shorts: $39.95 and up. These are different from bike shorts because the light padding in the seat is also meant for swimming; the heavy chamois in traditional bike shorts is not. Camelbak: $39.95 and up. More expensive models hold more fluid.
"Your legs are Jell-o," said Carl Brooks, manager at Bikefactory Sportshop. In mountain bike triathlons, he said, it's even "more important to train for your transition" from bike to run.
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Off-road triathlon gear
"Everything is taking more impact," he said. "Plus, there's so much anaerobic, and that's another thing that's going to fatigue your legs."
Fatigue and adrenaline associated with added danger are elements that attract athletes to these events.
Connie Abram paddled for six years before attempting her first off-road triathlon in 1995. Now she's hooked. "The first one I did as a team (three people, one per segment) and loved it," she said. "I find mountain biking more exciting and challenging than road biking. And you can have so much fun you don't even realize what a workout you're getting." She does admit that "it can be scary at times, but the fear factor does fade. I still get bangs and bruises and I still do some spectacular wipeouts, but at least the landing is softer."
Her advice? "If you can do all three disciplines, put more effort into mountain biking," said Abram, director of victim services at Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "It's the hardest on you physically, and it's generally the hardest aspect of the race."
Abram suggested that beginners train at Ka'ena Point, then practice on 'Aiea Loop trail, which "has lots of roots and rocks." She also advised riding with people who are more skilled. "It forces you to be more gutsy."
Jamba Juice MountainMan Triathlon, Saturday, June 30, 7:30 a.m. at Waimea Valley Adventure Park, 500-meter swim/20-kilometer bike/5-kilometer run Bikefactory MountainMan Triathlon, Saturday, August 18, 2:30 p.m. at Kualoa Ranch, 1000-meter swim/30-kilometer bike/8-kilometer run, XTERRA World Championship Qualifier Practice ride on race course at Kualoa Ranch, Sunday, August 12, 3 p.m. Coaches stationed at difficult sections to help riders, $5 fee for ranch use. Pflueger Honda MountainMan Triathlon, Sunday, November 18, 8 a.m. at Kualoa Ranch, 500-meter swim/20-kilometer bike/6-kilometer run Practice ride on race course at Kualoa Ranch, Sunday, November 11, 3 p.m. Coaches stationed at difficult sections to help riders, $5 fee for ranch use.
Getting close to nature — while part of the novelty — requires its own defense. "I would wear clothing that will protect you when you crash, because you're going to when you start out," said Brooks. A helmet and biking shoes are the most essential gear. Some competitors like to wear a bike jersey and gloves for extra protection. Brooks also recommends light-weight trail shoes on the run.
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Global Environmental MountainMan Triathlon Series 2001
Abram wears a jog bra-type bathing suit top and Speedo triathlon shorts. And to hydrate, she swears by a Camelbak, a small back pack that holds water. A suction tube near the mouth enables you to drink without taking your hands off the handlebars.
The looming possibility of falls and filth add to the allure. "The off-road is a triathlon with a more playful and natural twist to it," said 41-year-old Joseph Zwack, a marine inspector with the Coast Guard and a veteran of seven mountain bike triathlons. "You can get dirty and get back up and keep going. You can afford to make mistakes and laugh it off and continue."
In this spirit, Brooks offered tips for newcomers: "Go out there with very little expectations. Go out with a smile on your face. If you ever get to a point where you feel uncomfortable, walk."
Said Boca: "You'll find that you have to carry the bike a few times, but that's what it's all about. It makes things more fun."
Abram, for one, is looking forward to the upcoming series. "While they're tough races," she said, "they tend to be more laid back than road triathlons. Maybe it's the beautiful settings and challenging courses. Or maybe it's just hard to get too uptight when you're covered with mud."
