Racing is Back
So, at the last moment I decided to tap in and participate in an event. Luckily the RD was accommodating and let me in. It's nice to have a few friends, the least of which was the RD for this event. After taking some well deserved grief for procrastinating, I was in. Thanks Joe, I truly am grateful.
So event details:
RACE WEBSITE Additional race information can be found at http://www.onhillevents.com.
PLACE 451 S 500 W, Logan, UT 84321 Logan Aquatic Center Logan, UT US 48321
DESCRIPTION This race will be held back again at the Logan Aquatic Center. This is one of the longest run triathlons in the state of Utah.
This is a local one for me, so it was nice to be able to get up at 5 AM and pedal on over. It was kind of wierd to be able to go over. While riding over, I just took my time to feel the road. My bike has been on the Wahoo Kickr Core for some time now. So to feel the road and the bumps and imperfections and navigate with cars, was refreshing. I was able to mosey over pretty quick, I'm about 2 .5 miles away. So that was a nice warm up.
So I jumped in and got transition set up. Its funny because I decided the day before to do this, and my stuff is just in my bag. Only thing I was lacking was a few Probar nutrition replacement bars. I found these a few years back and are my go to solid nutrition ont he bike. I had 2 or 3 people ask me some questions while setting up. Once gal stuck out because after answering her questions and talking her through, she was like 'thank you for being so kind an thorough, its so intimidating and many are just rude'. While a piece of me died at the rude part, I was glad she took a chance and asked.
While walking around, the guy in the photo and his son totally surprised me. i wasn't going to do the event, but running into Ryan Bolander and his son, made it all worthwhile. Sure, Joe, my RD friend always is a treat but, Ryan. Ryan and I were Missionary Training Center companions years ago in March of 1996 (March 23 was the day). Man it was good to catch up. We caught up and had lunch a few years prior and shared a road bike outing at Antelope island, but to know another yahoo as clueless as me is doing just fine, makes me grateful for life. After catching up a bit, Ryan was off to chase his son, who I actually tailed on the bike. So, took a different approach to this event. I wanted to remember what events were like and that it was a blessing to be able to express fitness. To that end, I was fourth from last in the pool. I only passed about 50 people in the water swimming easy and I had to walk around a few folks doing the best they could. The pool was quite warm. It was the first time I got to wear the zoot kit, and its absolutely EXCELLENT! So comfy! Then through to a basic transition and easy out on the bike. There was a car video-ing a participant - a little red cooper mini. To be frank, that is unacceptable and careless. The person filming was within feet of their participant and further was all over as a single driver taking video. This was not appreciated at all. Okay, off my slippery soap box. It was a nice and simple bike ride. Rode by our old house with the turn around about by the Mendon tracks. look i wasn't racing I was trying to feel and find gratitude for triathlon participation. I found that. also tracked Ryan's son. I think I rode about 18 Mph not in aero - I have a stripped Alan bolt so my cockpit fit is off. I need to fix that. I am grateful for the folks that took time out of their day to volunteer and help us have safety on course. From stopping and directing traffic and helping others make it through their race/event experience. To handing out water and other things in masks and gloved, thank you! My transitions were simple and smooth. Getting out into the run wasn't bad, but CRAMP! Holy cow, in the calf, and it straight knocked me out. I almost didn't get onto the run course. After slowly working it out, I got out to the run and took it easy. Liz timed it just about right and I heard them behind me as I went out. I got caught by a few running friends, while running, but because I swam and biked from behind, I still beat them overall time wise. Yes I looked, and I was surprised too. It was good to see Karen, and Terese on course. Now the fun part of the run was just simply cruising and then I grabbed up Lucas, as it is a smaller event, and ran him in with me. Some gal doing pix grabbed a few images for me coming in. So, I have a friend that has become a coach. I have never met David in person but from a distance a respect has grown from each other. He is coaching a local guy named Terrel. Terrel pulled me aside while in t1 pre race and we talked and he asked me about David. What a small world. Post race I provided some feedback to David. He was so stoked and thought said the feedback made his day.
So, overall, although I wasn't really racing just eventing it was a solid day. What is fun is when some others pull you aside and tell you thank you. Many different reasons, but I guess triathlon hs helped shape me into a better human. So it goes. This I am calling a win, and I will probably do it again. Thanks to Joe for squeezing me in!
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