A Weekend of Triathlon

As October rolls in most of us are coming to the end our triathlon season. For myself the first weekend of October is one of my favorites, despite it being a bit crazy.   
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I start the weekend as an athlete at the Santa Rosa Island Triathlon on Saturday morning and by  Sunday I have my Race Director hat on for the Sea Turtle Triathlon.  By Sunday afternoon I am ready for a nap!

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​The Santa Rosa Island Triathlon (SRI TRI)  was my very first triathlon in 2008 –  I was petrified of the swim, rode a mountain bike and my favorite part of the race was the run.  I finished in 1:59.   Fast forward to 2018 and now I LOVE the swim, I have a time trial bike and I struggle with my run, I finish in 1:35.   I am thankful for Tri Gulf Coast Tri Club for grooming my skills and all the great local triathletes that are a wealth of knowledge and have taught me about triathlon and that there is more to triathlon than racing.

Saturdays SRI TRI was blessed with perfect conditions (well deserved after last years cancelled race). The swim was spot on 600 yds and was challenging with some surf and rollers.  The bike was 18.8 miles that was out and back with a loop in the middle with some typical beach headwinds and tailwinds.   The 5K run was flat out and back with lots of support and cheerleaders lining the course.  Always a great finish line atmosphere with fellow triathletes sharing there stories and glory.

Being my hometown race I get to appreciate more than just racing.  I get to take in the atmosphere– particulary the PEOPLE that make the day.  First , my friend and fellow race director Charles and his staff that spend countless hours to preparing for this race. Congrats on another fabulous event. Next the volunteers  - Kirwan and Stan out on the course directing athletes.  Tom setting up a  perfect  swim course.  Jehan, Nancy and Diane in transition managing the 500+ athletes – thank you to all of you. Then there are the athletes that leave an impact on my day. My friend Marinda, her best friend passed away just 2 months ago, she raced in honor of Julie Lashuay, also a fellow triathlete.  And, Jack Cerone, a long time triathlete who competes in EVERY race, he too recently lost his wife but still came out to do what he loves.  Then to those that just earned the badge of triathlete – John and Shannon – congratulations!  Over the last 10 years of triathlon I have gained a different perspective – appreciating those that serve the multisport and the achievements of others is just as rewarding as racing.

We rolled through the podium awards and our girls did fabulous. Kudos to Candice with a solid race and 2nd Overall Female.  Both Cicely and Christine were in top 10 females.  Christine went home with the infamous "tiki" trophy for her Female Grand Master' placement.  The fabulous duo relay - Katie and Palmer killed it and were 1st place overall relay.  I am so happy to see Katie back on the saddle and smiling.

As I mentioned, triathlon has become more than a “me” sport and more about serving the sport. For the past 4 years I have been a co-race director for a youth triathlon.  We have worked hard to make the Sea Turtle Triathlon a premiere youth event along the Gulf Coast.  Over the years we continually strive to make this race better and more unique – everything from custom shirts, medals and hand-crafted awards.  We have achieved success with selling out the race with 235 athletes.  Planning a race is like a second job with no pay – for months leading up the preparation is ongoing. But it is the days before the event that tests your endurance, much like a triathlon.  Packet pick-up, race logistics with barricades, cones, trailers, loading vehicles, answering last minute parent emergencies, watching the weather, sweeping the race course…the list goes on.  Sleep is minimal and caffeine and adrenaline are full throttle.  Still to this day it amazes me how we turn a vacant parking lot into an epic race venue.  Our vision, that we have worked on for months, is created by the 100+ volunteers and it is  my “triathlon tribe” that comes out to support the youth and multisport.  It is a glorious day seeing kids cross the finish line and having fun.

Not to confuse my readers, but the CHAIN TRI and SISTER CHAIN Tri Team have a component to the youth multisport.  Our team along with a few sponsors support the Gulf Coast Tri Initiative.  This is a unique program that fosters the multisport to youth that in most cases would never have the opportunity to participate in the sport.  With generous donations we are able to provide bikes, helmets,  team shirts, race entries, USAT membership and so many other perks to over 40 youth in the greater Pensacola area.  It was heart-warming to see these kids compete at the Sea Turtle Triathlon and we are thankful for the teachers/coaches that make it possible.  Seeing this program grow and flourish is my desire and I hope I can be a part of it for a very long time.

I couldn’t ask for a better way to end 2018 triathlon season.  I feel accomplished as an athlete and more importantly I hope I can continue to give back to triathlon.  Thank you to my SISTER CHAIN team mates and my triathlon tribe – your support and ongoing motivation keep me thirsty for more.  

Thank you to all of our sponsors for your ongoing support of the SISTER CHAIN TRI TEAM and especially to Santa Rosa Island Triathlon for executing a premiere race on the Gulf Coast. And to Pro Cycle & Tri and Tropical Smoothie Cafe - Pensacola for sponsoring and supporting SRI TRI.

Also, lots of praise for the coaches (John, Alexis and Aaron) for the youth athletes with the Gulf Coast Tri Initiative - these coaches spend countless hours training, preparing and transporting the athletes to the events.  

Photo Credits to Street Safari Photo's for the fabulous FREE photo's at the SRI TRI and the Sea Turtle Triathlon - I grabbed a bunch!