Sunday, April 08, 2007

2007 California Ironman 70.3: A Photo Essay

Photos by Benjamin, Arnold, and Action Sports International
Text by Arnold
Smack-down by Fernando

Once upon a time Benjamin, Frenando, Mark, and Arnold travelled from Los Angeles to Oceanside for the 2007 Ironman California 70.3.

Benjamin, whose work schedule kept him from training, was relegated to driving and support duties. He wasn't happy about that.


Mark, Fernando, and Arnold woke up super early and prepped all of their gear


After his extensive training sessions, Mark was unusually confident:

It was very early in the morning, so Mark and Arnold couldn't be too made that Benjamin fell asleep at the wheel and only got a picture of Fernando swimming (that's him in the center with the high elbows and perfect head position):


Thank God for race photographers who memorialized Arnold and Mark exiting the swim:


Mark and Arnold look pretty studly, yeah? Well, they got a picture of Fernando too:


Actually, someone must have been in love with Fernando, because he got several cool swim exit pictures (Mark and I only got one each--this was shaping up to be Fernando's day):


After exiting the water, they each found our trusty steeds and bolted out of Transition 1:




Mark's transition was a little longer than everyone else's:


As soon as they mounted their bikes, Arnold, Mark, and Fernando rode like the wind:


Arnold rode especially quickly, and opened a large lead over his two training partners:

But that lead dissipated quickly on the run, where Fernando ran like a machine:


And Arnold ran like a sloth:



Oblivious to the battle raging in front of him, Mark contently ran like a gazelle, albeit a tired one:


A determined Fernando crossed the finish line first:


Defeated, Arnold limped across the finish line, but managed to raise his finger in exaltation"

Arnold's only consolation was that in his haste to stop the clock, Fernando forfeited a solo finish photo-op (what a loser!):

Their rivlalry over for the day, Arnold and Fernando embraced, shared a beer, and after a shower and a nice Saturday afternoon nap, welcomed their friend Mark home:



THE END!

2007 California Ironman 70.3
HLB Triathlon Team Results
1.2-Mile Swim, 56-Mile Bike, 13.1-Mile Run

Fernando
Swim: 37:03 (1:52/100 meters)
T1:6:31
Bike: 3:10:08 (17.7 mph)
T2: 3:08
Run: 1:59:00 (9:05/mile)
Total: 5:55:47

Arnold
Swim: 46:47 (2:21/100 meters)
T1: 4:32
Bike: 2:57:12 (19 mph)
T2: 3:27
Run: 2:25:32 (11:07/mile)
Total: 6:17:28

Mark
Swim: 52:49 (2:39/100 meters)
T1: 6:35
Bike: 3:39:09 (15.3 mph)
T2: 9:51
Run: 2:44:40 (12:35/mile)
Total: 7:33:02

For all of the HLB Triathlon Team's Photos from the event, click here.

Where Did Civility Go?

The following e-mail exchange took place when Benjamin's brother, a dedicated roadie, posed a very important question: What is HLB Athletics?

Arnold
To: Benjamin's Brother
cc: HLB Athletics
Date: April 6, 2007 9:54 a.m.
Subject: re: Dear Friends

HLB Athletics is an association of Health Law employees and their family members aiming to improve the world one race at a time. By being Benjamin's Brother (and coincidentally, a Health Law Attorney), you can be fast tracked for membership ( i.e. no need for the traditional "jumping in"). If you're interested, I can send you an application.


http://hlbathletics.blogspot.com/
------------------------------------------------

Benjamin's Brother
To: Arnold
cc: HLB Athletics
Date: April 6, 2007 10:01 a.m.
Subject: re: Dear Friends

Great site you guys created. Sure, send me the app (I assume you are joking) if you can deal with a roadie who hates swimming (it's so damn boring) and who gave up running because of bad knees.
------------------------------------------------

Benjamin
To: HLB Athletics
cc: Benjamin's Brother
Date: April 6, 2007 11:34 a.m.
Subject: re: re: Dear Friends

Someone in my office who wants to remain anonymous (it was Fernando) saw this and said: "Wow, he hasn't even joined yet but he's got all the excuses down already."
I'm looking forward to the Alpha Dog Smackdown.

------------------------------------------------

Arnold
To: Benjamin
cc: HLB Athletics, Benjamin's Brother
Date: April 6, 2007 2:57 p.m.
Subject: re:Dear Friends

I don't think we need ANOTHER person to smack down Fernando on the bike!

------------------------------------------------

Fernando
To: Arnold
cc: HLB Athletics, Benjamin's Brother
Date: April 6, 2007 4:55 p.m.
Subject: re: Dear Friends

Be careful guys. I don't think you want to see me upset, and see a little more of what some of YOU have seen already.

------------------------------------------------

Benjamin's Brother
To: Fernando, Benjamin, Arnold
cc: HLB Athletics
Date: April 6, 2007 6:55 p.m.
Subject: re: Dear Friends

Jeez, I don't know about this. I was hoping for a nice, friendly group, but you guys seem way too competitive for me. And, Ben and Fernando, if you aren't nice, I won't wait for you on the top of the hills next time we ride.