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<p> </p>
<p>What a fun weekend! A couple months ago a friend on another forum mentioned that she was doing her first triathlon-- a woman’s only tri in September. Could it possibly be??? Yes, she was doing Girls Tri Too at Portage Lakes in Akron! I had thought about working that race, so that sealed the deal.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Son1 and I were up early Saturday morning to head to Akron. We weren’t needed to work GTT, so were there to cheer on these ladies. I knew my friend by her screen name only, and that she’d be wearing OSU colors. Soon enough, a girl in OSU colors crossed the finish line with that “I just finished a triathlon” look. I went to her and asked if she was “ames”. She was speechless, then asked if I was “Hazel”. Yep! She couldn’t believe I had actually come to see her race. Without taking a breath, she told me all about her race, how much fun it was, and how she can’t wait to do another. Love it!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Son1 and I were working the kids race so too soon had to move along. We quickly found the RD who put us to work. We were needed to marshal the bike course. Son1 was at a turn around, I was at a hair pin turn.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The 7-10’s race was fun. All these kids were on dinky little bikes and just out there too have fun. No need to tell them to “slow down for the turn” as they were already going pretty slow. But, never a dull moment! About 200meters past my point, a little girl went down. She was screaming so I was expecting the worst. Before leaving my post, I yelled to spectators I had a bike down, please relay to the next official who had a radio. I sprinted to the girl expecting to see gushing blood and bones poking through the skin. Nope! Her shoelace had gotten wrapped around the pedal and she had simply flopped. I was able to get her shoelace free and retied both laces. I gave her a quick once over, dried her tears, and sent her on her way. I found out later that the EMT’s went to son1’s point and finding no one injured went back to the ambulance without bothering to check the rest of the half mile O&B.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The 11-14’s race was a bit trickier. This group had kids in full tri gear—aero bars, aero wheels and the works. Somehow, these boys though “slow down for the turn” meant “see just how fast I can take the turn”. More than a few nearly took out pylons or crossed over into oncoming traffic. Luckily, most of the kids were just out there to have fun. I was impressed with the number of kids cheering each other on as they passed on the O&B.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There was a break in action after the kids race so I was able to sneak in a quick swim. Good golly that water was COLD! The water was very shallow—but deep enough to swim—until the first buoy. The beach was very fine sand with no rocks to worry about on the run to T1. Okay, check that off the pre-race ritual list!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Next up was the elite race. Alan’s Elite is a super sprint—250m swim, 7mi bike, 2k run. The boys do it three times, starting the next race 5mins after the last person finishes. It was a very small field again this year, with only 11 starting and one DNFing due to injury in T2 during the first race. I did scoring at the finish. It was a rather boring race for scoring. 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> flip flopped between the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> race, other than that, the places remained the same for all three races. Son1 enjoyed watching the elites, hoping to pick up some pointers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It was late afternoon by the time the elites finished. We were relieved of our volunteer duties and headed to a friends where we spent the night. I headed to bed pretty early, while son1 stayed up for a bit playing the new Halo game. We both slept very well and were well rested when the alarm went off too early Sunday morning.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We arrived at the race venue to find close parking. Transition was still pretty open, so we scored decent rack position, too. We were racked next to each other. We did the usual race morning ritual—van to transition back to the van, stop at the POJ’s, back to the van, wander around aimlessly. All morning I was munching on chocolate chip cookies. Heading down to the beach I realized I hadn’t picked up a Gu for before the swim. Oh, wait—I actually ate real food pre-race!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I watched son1’s wave go off. He wanted to know his position coming out of the water, so I stood at the exit and counted. He was around 30<sup>th</sup>. He came out and said that the water was COLD!!! Looking great! Knock ‘em dead on the bike!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The air was pretty cold while waiting. I was hoping the water would feel warm. The gun went off for my wave and when I ran into the water, it was so cold it took my breath away! I never really could get anything going on the swim. It was cold. My shirt was dragging. I don’t know what all else. The swim just wasn’t happening. At least I wasn’t DFL out of the water???</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Into T1. Son1’s bike was already back. Okay, he must be having a great race! My fingers were cold, making fastening my helmet and shoes difficult. Once on the bike I quickly warmed up. Son1 warned me about the hills. Small chain ring Mom, small chain ring… Honestly, I didn’t find them too bad. I had a decent little spin out there. I was able to make several positions on the bike.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Into T2. Son1 was there to cheer me on. He asked what I thought of the hills. Not bad! Quick transition, and I was out on the run. The run starts with a slight uphill. Not bad, but not easy coming off the bike. This was part of the kids bike course, so I had run it the day before getting to the downed rider. It sucked, but I knew I’d survive. I continued to pass people here, too, although I felt like I was struggling. Around m2 I tried to pass a guy and he ended up running with me. He’s a dentist who specializes in root canals, lives in Buffalo, and is engaged to be married in April. Hey—it got us through the next mile or so! He headed into the finish and I started my second lap. I continued to feel good through out the run and was still passing people. Finally I crossed the finish line. I did it! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>No, I didn’t hit my time goal, but I felt I had a decent race. Normally, I have a decent swim and bike, then die on the run. Not today. I nailed that run. AND I had fun. It didn’t matter how I placed. I just needed to finish. Simply by finishing this race, I had won the championship. Not a bad ending to my tri season!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/57750/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="download1-1-1.jpg?t=1285262268" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="14125" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/14125/width/486/height/454" style="; width: 486px; height: 454px"></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/57742/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="download.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="14121" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/14121/width/720/height/480" style="; width: 720px; height: 480px"></a></p>
<p>What a fun weekend! A couple months ago a friend on another forum mentioned that she was doing her first triathlon-- a woman’s only tri in September. Could it possibly be??? Yes, she was doing Girls Tri Too at Portage Lakes in Akron! I had thought about working that race, so that sealed the deal.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Son1 and I were up early Saturday morning to head to Akron. We weren’t needed to work GTT, so were there to cheer on these ladies. I knew my friend by her screen name only, and that she’d be wearing OSU colors. Soon enough, a girl in OSU colors crossed the finish line with that “I just finished a triathlon” look. I went to her and asked if she was “ames”. She was speechless, then asked if I was “Hazel”. Yep! She couldn’t believe I had actually come to see her race. Without taking a breath, she told me all about her race, how much fun it was, and how she can’t wait to do another. Love it!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Son1 and I were working the kids race so too soon had to move along. We quickly found the RD who put us to work. We were needed to marshal the bike course. Son1 was at a turn around, I was at a hair pin turn.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The 7-10’s race was fun. All these kids were on dinky little bikes and just out there too have fun. No need to tell them to “slow down for the turn” as they were already going pretty slow. But, never a dull moment! About 200meters past my point, a little girl went down. She was screaming so I was expecting the worst. Before leaving my post, I yelled to spectators I had a bike down, please relay to the next official who had a radio. I sprinted to the girl expecting to see gushing blood and bones poking through the skin. Nope! Her shoelace had gotten wrapped around the pedal and she had simply flopped. I was able to get her shoelace free and retied both laces. I gave her a quick once over, dried her tears, and sent her on her way. I found out later that the EMT’s went to son1’s point and finding no one injured went back to the ambulance without bothering to check the rest of the half mile O&B.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The 11-14’s race was a bit trickier. This group had kids in full tri gear—aero bars, aero wheels and the works. Somehow, these boys though “slow down for the turn” meant “see just how fast I can take the turn”. More than a few nearly took out pylons or crossed over into oncoming traffic. Luckily, most of the kids were just out there to have fun. I was impressed with the number of kids cheering each other on as they passed on the O&B.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>There was a break in action after the kids race so I was able to sneak in a quick swim. Good golly that water was COLD! The water was very shallow—but deep enough to swim—until the first buoy. The beach was very fine sand with no rocks to worry about on the run to T1. Okay, check that off the pre-race ritual list!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Next up was the elite race. Alan’s Elite is a super sprint—250m swim, 7mi bike, 2k run. The boys do it three times, starting the next race 5mins after the last person finishes. It was a very small field again this year, with only 11 starting and one DNFing due to injury in T2 during the first race. I did scoring at the finish. It was a rather boring race for scoring. 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> flip flopped between the 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> race, other than that, the places remained the same for all three races. Son1 enjoyed watching the elites, hoping to pick up some pointers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It was late afternoon by the time the elites finished. We were relieved of our volunteer duties and headed to a friends where we spent the night. I headed to bed pretty early, while son1 stayed up for a bit playing the new Halo game. We both slept very well and were well rested when the alarm went off too early Sunday morning.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We arrived at the race venue to find close parking. Transition was still pretty open, so we scored decent rack position, too. We were racked next to each other. We did the usual race morning ritual—van to transition back to the van, stop at the POJ’s, back to the van, wander around aimlessly. All morning I was munching on chocolate chip cookies. Heading down to the beach I realized I hadn’t picked up a Gu for before the swim. Oh, wait—I actually ate real food pre-race!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I watched son1’s wave go off. He wanted to know his position coming out of the water, so I stood at the exit and counted. He was around 30<sup>th</sup>. He came out and said that the water was COLD!!! Looking great! Knock ‘em dead on the bike!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The air was pretty cold while waiting. I was hoping the water would feel warm. The gun went off for my wave and when I ran into the water, it was so cold it took my breath away! I never really could get anything going on the swim. It was cold. My shirt was dragging. I don’t know what all else. The swim just wasn’t happening. At least I wasn’t DFL out of the water???</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Into T1. Son1’s bike was already back. Okay, he must be having a great race! My fingers were cold, making fastening my helmet and shoes difficult. Once on the bike I quickly warmed up. Son1 warned me about the hills. Small chain ring Mom, small chain ring… Honestly, I didn’t find them too bad. I had a decent little spin out there. I was able to make several positions on the bike.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Into T2. Son1 was there to cheer me on. He asked what I thought of the hills. Not bad! Quick transition, and I was out on the run. The run starts with a slight uphill. Not bad, but not easy coming off the bike. This was part of the kids bike course, so I had run it the day before getting to the downed rider. It sucked, but I knew I’d survive. I continued to pass people here, too, although I felt like I was struggling. Around m2 I tried to pass a guy and he ended up running with me. He’s a dentist who specializes in root canals, lives in Buffalo, and is engaged to be married in April. Hey—it got us through the next mile or so! He headed into the finish and I started my second lap. I continued to feel good through out the run and was still passing people. Finally I crossed the finish line. I did it! </p>
<p> </p>
<p>No, I didn’t hit my time goal, but I felt I had a decent race. Normally, I have a decent swim and bike, then die on the run. Not today. I nailed that run. AND I had fun. It didn’t matter how I placed. I just needed to finish. Simply by finishing this race, I had won the championship. Not a bad ending to my tri season!</p>
<p> </p>
<p><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/57750/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="download1-1-1.jpg?t=1285262268" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="14125" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/14125/width/486/height/454" style="; width: 486px; height: 454px"></a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/57742/width/1000/height/800/flags/" target="_blank"><img alt="download.jpg" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="14121" data-type="61" src="http://www.kickrunners.com/content/type/61/id/14121/width/720/height/480" style="; width: 720px; height: 480px"></a></p>
