Team Member: Dennis Reardon

Race Name: Best of the U.S. National Championship – Mission Viejo, CA

Race Date: 9/27/09

Race Placement/Time/Qualification: 22nd/2:06:36

Tell us about your race (limit 500 words)…: I flew out to Los Angeles the Thursday before the race. It was great because I was able to visit with my friend, Eric, from Vet school. Friday is usually a rest day before the race, but I was able to play a round of golf and go to an LA Angels baseball game. Saturday was pre race workout along Huntington Beach and the Pacific Coast Hwy. On race day, the BOUS N. Champ. was again to lead the race, this year at the Orange County International Triathlon. I knew there was going to be strong competition from racing last year in Tempe, AZ. Numbers were assigned according to when your state came to be. I was in between PA (the winner) and CT (4th OA). The swim was in Lake Mission Viejo with a mass start of the BOUS men and women. I had an average swim with my new Xterra speedsuit. The bike was challenging with the heavy climbing and descending; it was comparable to riding the gaps in N. GA, but not as steep nor long. The back half of the run had to be one of the hardest, most challenging 2nd 5k’s I have done. The first 5K was flat and fast; running at 5:40 pace. Then the steep hills and off road trails on deep mulch/sand started to come into play. It felt like running in the deep sand at the beach. I ended up 22nd overall – 7 slots better than last year in Tempe, so I was happy with the result. Later, I found out that the top 22 men and 18 women all beat the course record from last year. That made me feel better about my race also. I didn’t stick around the race too long since I had another round of golf a few hours later that day. I was able to make it to Disneyland to get my daughter a gift for Christmas, so I was glad to make the trip out to CA for the first time.