Triatlon Titan (1/2 IM) - this one deserves a race report..

Triatlon Titán Sierra de Cádiz is something else. It has the hardest bike+run course I've ever done over an half-ironman distance. I finished in 4h54 and got second place behind Ruben Ruzafa. We both went under the record time for this race.. but Ruben was on another level yesterday.

The venue:

70 km down of Sevilla, the race starts 4km from Zahara de la Sierra and most of the not-sportive happenings (registration office, briefing, pasta party, etc) are on Algodonales. Beautiful place and once you get there, surrounded by all the mountains you know you are up for a challenging race.

SWIM - 26:24

2 laps, 1km each. I sprinted on the start and got clear water right away. With Ivan Tejero on the field, I saw a guy on the right coming close and though I would draft him until the first buoy. But when I realised it wasn't Tejero, I got to my business. Tejero did however come to me with about 500 meters in but stayed beside me. I though we could have worked together and put some time on the field but that didn't work out that well and we did most of the swim side-by-side. Well.. a long day was still ahead so I just cruised to T1.

BIKE - 3h08

The time really tells it all. The course is basically up the Puerto de Las Palomas two times in two different directions. The first time, you have a 15km climb with maybe 6-8% and the second time it's a bit longer 20km with the same grade although there are a few steep sections. Between the hills you have about 35 km of moderated up and down hills on the valleys and the rest is the downhill from Las Palomas. The problem is, the downhills are also tough as there are a lot of sharp cornering, U-turns and just techincal parts to get thru and that makes all the course just slow. After exiting the water in first, I got my air time until maybe 20km into the race. Ruben Ruzafa, Xterra World Champion in 2008, stormed by me and I though maybe a road bike is more apropriated for that course. Even if I had a road bike, I doubt I could go with him and so I lost a bit of time on the first time over and down Las Palomas. About half a way on the bike, I had a 3'00 split for Ruben. By them, Francisco Villaescusa had also caught up with me and we were riding together. On the second time up, I lost more time and got a 6'00 split to Ruben on the top of the hill but Villaescusa had already faded back and so I was riding solo again. Down the hill I lost over 2 minutes on those 10 km!! Into T2, I was 8'30 back in second.

RUN - 1h19

Running on a half-ironman is my thing. I never before bonked and can always finish with a strong last 5km. But this is THE Titán. The course goes from transition area up to Algodonales, back and up Zahara de la Sierra. It's hard and really HOT going to Algodonales but what will tear your legs apart is coming down from Algodonales and back to transition area. On the 14km mark I had closed the gap to 6'30 but that was the closest I ever got. The final 3km are ALL up hill and the final km is brutal up to Zahara's center. I was just happy I didn't have anyone trailing and could just "relax" on that final challenge.. I'd go with a guess of 15% for that last climb. Once you get to the finish straight it's a relief. I took my time and enjoyed the finish. All is worth it and there was an huge crowd on the Plaza to cheer the arrival of the Titans.

It's a awesome race and it's one REALLY tough cookie but once you get to the finish line, it's all worth it. It feels really good to get this race done and it's one feeling you will only know if you ever do it. I'm sure I will come back one day and maybe take a few photos during the bike course :-)