Having missed out on this race the last two years, California-based pro Jordan Rapp is heading to Oceanside this month ready to go hard. The race is somewhat symbolic to Rapp, who had his whole career put on hold in 2010 by a near-fatal cycling accident. After a remarkable comeback that included a fourth-place finish at IRONMAN Arizona that year, Rapp says his 2011 performance at Oceanside was about showing himself what he could have done the previous year. Whereas in Arizona it was about being back in the game, Rapp says Oceanside, where he placed fifth, was where he first felt 100 percent again. "I felt good, and raced strong across all three disciplines," he says. "2011 was a really great year for me and I think it was that race in particular that really set it off on a strong note."
Many see Oceanside as the race that launches the triathlon season—as Rapp says, in the Northern hemisphere at least. It always attracts a stacked field, in both the pro and age-grouper ranks, and Rapp says it can serve as a gauge of fitness and a boost of confidence. "It's a hard course, so if you feel like you are somewhere with your fitness, you'll know if you're not there," he says. "To race well there is a good sign that you are where you want to be."
Rapp will return to Oceanside this year a different competitor than he was three years ago. He not only has a full recovery long behind him, but numerous IRONMAN wins under his belt, as well as two new twin daughters. He'll also be kicking off another year as IRONMAN pro ambassador, a role that will have him liaising between professional athletes and IRONMAN, and will further establish him as the face of the brand and the healthy lifestyle it promotes.
Feel the Oceanside magic with Rapp:
What's to love: "It's a race people come back to. It's typical of everything IRONMAN is about. It's in a beautiful location, and it's hard core while being a fantastic first race, too. It's really the best of what IRONMAN has to offer."
Local eats: "The post-race food on the pier is pretty dang good. I'm partial to fish-n-chips afterwards … how often can you get that?
Tips and tricks: "The bike course is way tougher than people think it is. In 2009 I remember the last 10 miles I just felt so totally unprepared for the difficulty of that course."
High points: "It's a toss up between the boardwalk run and the sections of the course in Camp Pendleton—both are so unique and special. Running along the Pacific and then riding through such a storied Marine base are both something you don't get to experience very often."
Iconic: "It's an overused word, but I really do think of Oceanside as one of the iconic races. San Diego is such a heart of the triathlon community, and this is really its signature race, it's hard not to put it near the top."
Pro prestige: "I think a win here is probably the most prestigious win you can take on the IRONMAN 70.3 circuit, outside of a championship."
Watch for Rapp at IRONMAN 70.3 St. George and IRONMAN Texas as well.