2nd place at La Paz Panamerican Cup!

January 19th, time to celebrate 30 years of the La Paz Triathlon!!

The La Paz Cup, one of the most traditional races, which I had participating in since 2005. This a triathlons dream, where the city closes all the streets and towns people are out cheering all the athletes on!

I had goosepumps just walking to the transition area, people would stop me for pictures and greetings. On the cheering side it was also my girlfriend and her amazing family! I have to confess that there were butterflies on my stomach very early before the race!

Meanwhile I was heading to transition area, it was going on the women race, and surprised, I saw an athlete running on the opposit direction of the course... Oops!!
Afterwards I heard that a bunch of other women did the same and started an extra loop, just to pay the penalty at penalty box, than run back on the course to the finish line...

Very weird! Specially because they were paying a penalty for cutting the swim course, which would be, with no penalty, undoubtedly a reason for disqualify. But of course, I totaly agree that its needed to use common sense, as sometimes the athlete does not do it intentionaly to take advantage. Specially on that course, where the river current is so strong.

Well, I left my bike ready at transition, and we went for the traditional presentation of the athletes, followed by the start.

It was one of the hardest race I ever did, I was in pain for the whole course, with a temperature of 100ºF I was sweating already on the swim, as at some points the water was around 86ºF.

Begining the bike ride, was where I most suffered, I almost got dropped and couldn`t help to chase the first group, the heat made breathing even harder at that portion.

I think it is valid to observe that one of the elite athletes dismounted his bike way after the dismount line, (getting advantage) but as I already said, I believe in the common sense of the judges and maybe the athlete had no intention of getting that advantage. No penalties for were given on this case...

I was really tired on the begining of the run, at the 1st km I was the 9th athlete, slowly I started to progress. On the 2nd loop I was the 5th and the podium goal was about to be accomplished! The people was cheering at full! And at the 3rd loop I was the 2nd, running as much as I could to hold that position.

On the last loop, I had no more legs or mind, and the only way I could keep pushing hard was really using my heart!! This was such a great point at the race, Siri Lindley would always ask me what were my thoughts while racing, and I could never answer "nothing", like this time, like she always wanted to hear!

Very happy with the result, I was giving different interviews, when some one of the organization told me I was disqualified, because I never stopped to pay my penalty...

I don`t even know what came to my mind, it seemed like a joke. He told me I was penalized for leaving the bike on a bad way in the rack.

While running I never saw my number at the white board, which was not very easy and clear to see, plus I was nothing worried as I knew there could not be any reasons for a penalty. I was not as "lucky" as the women, to be adviced about a penalty and to open an extra loop to pay it.

I tried to clarify that with the judge, but soon I saw he had visors and probably bridles tacked up, which would avoid any attitudes.

Afterwards, reading the rules, I saw that its true you should not put your bike with just one side of the handle bars. (You should rack with both, or by the seat), but also it is writing that the ITU Technical Committee is by the side of using common sense, and they highly encourage on the part of officials to promote a "proactive" attitude. And the athlete should receive a verbal warning when the rule is violated unintentionally, or also when no advantage has been gained.

Summing up, I didn`t have the same luck as the other athletes... bad luck or double standards!?


Telling the truth nothing would make me sad about this race, I was elated with my result! Afterwards I called my friends for a picture on the podium! And there was no better way to celebrate a great race!! 
Cannot say the same about the professional side of my race, as I left with no awards and no points on the international ranking. But who said you have to race for money and not for passion!?!

Gracias La Paz for another great spectacle!

I was never so sure about why I still racing "professionally". 

:)