A few weeks ago, I headed to CA to take part in the Tri Girl Tri with my sister Teri. We had been planning this great event for quite some time, so we were both very excited. (Ummm... if you happen to run into Teri and she tries to tell you I cheated by doing a tri the month before, do not believe her. We had an agreement that we were both going to do a tri before our tri together, though she did her's in the form of a relay, as the runner; their team placed first in their age division in Ukiah..congrats). Anyway, I digress.
Thursday when I arrived, Teri took me to our brother Steve's house, where I spent the first night and got in hours of wonderful visiting with Steve and his wife, Diana. When I got up the next morning, Steve informed me that I couldn't speak to him until after he'd had his coffee and worked his Sudoku puzzles...apparently, Friday is Diabolical Day and he times himself. (Somethings in life just do not change, such as the way big brothers treat little sisters :)) .
Anyway, Teri came to pick me up sometime later and we headed off to the bike store so I could pick up my rental bike. This was some bike, let me tell you. At home, I have a great Touring bike, but this was a true Road Bike....can we say "F-A-S-T", like the wind!!! We also bought matching, must have, cycling jerseys. Then we ran a few errands, and fretted over the windy day and the lower than expected temperatures. In the evening, we enjoyed cheering Ryan's JV football team to victory, and met up with Haley and the rest of the local family for a pre-race dinner.
Back at Tom and Teri's, we embarked on final race preparations, and later I headed to our room for a few moments of quiet time.
The following morning, I arose earlier than early to get ready. Word from the been there...if your razor breaks at 4:30 in the morning on the day of your big race, don't try to shave with just the razor head...it will result in bandaids in your arm pit, which can be very uncomfortable, and more unsightly than a couple of days growth.
Under the still cover of darkness, off we went to meet up with a few of Teri's friends and caravan to Lake Berryessa, the site of the race. As we drove, we kept an eye on the temperature (in the 40's), and the windy (very windy). We arrived and after bundling up in all the extra warm gear we had and convincing ourselves it would get warmer when the sun came up, we headed off to the transition area. About half way there, we were met by Teri's friend Jen, who informed us that they had cancelled the swim due to unsafe conditions. At this level of competition, there is generally a large percentage who have never swam in open water, and likely are only able to swim the distance in a swimming pool, therefore, safety being of primary consideration, I thought this was wise.
Instead, we would run an extra 1/2 mile leg at the start. Teri was obviously disappointed as she had trained long and hard for this moment. I was disappointed, because swimming is my strongest leg, and running my weakest, and my feet were already bothering me.
In honor of the cancelled swim, several of us opted to wear our caps and goggles for the substituted run leg. Off we went in waves of about 75...ankles twisting in the sand, adrenaline carrying us like wings.
Despite the wind and chilly weather, it was a good race. Teri placed 10th in her age group, and I bettered my Tri Turtle time (my goal for this race, in addition to finishing and having a good time) oh and, beating JLo's time (HA!).
Throughout much of the race, Haley, Tom and Rachael sat bundled in a shared blanket near the transition area, cheering us as we passed through, and in general enjoying some good bonding time. They did, however, make their way to the start of the race, and also up to the main road where they cheered us on as we came in on our bikes.
One of my favorite compliments of the day was at the finish line, when Tom told Teri and I that we weren't even breathing hard, and needed to do twice the distance next time.
Afterward, the group headed to a delicious lunch in Calistoga. I believe a good time was had by all! That evening, Tom prepared a wonderful post-race dinner for Teri and I (earlier in the day, he and Haley had planned the menu). Thanks guys!
A few statistics - Number of participants ~ 600-700, all women, 1/2 Mile Run, 11.2 Bike, 3.2 Run. Time: 1:45:03. Purchases on the wish list for 2009---Road Bike!!!! Next seasons goals--More Sprint Tris, relays, and an Olympic Tri.
