By Mindi Straw
You couldn’t have asked for better weather for the Tri the Island Triathlon. With distances of 300yd swim, 10 mile bike, and 2 mile run one of my main thoughts was – “this is gonna hurt.” Super sprints are tough for me as my run segment is not fast so often the “runners” have room to pass me. One of my personal goals for this race was to be speedy in transition – this meant no speedsuit, no socks, and have my visor/race number linked for a quick exit – I was very happy with my T1 and T2 split times so mission accomplished.
I have always told fellow triathletes and those considering the multisport that the sport is fabulous sport. Unlike just one sport you have so many areas to learn and improve. But my biggest love for the sport is the journey – the people you meet along the way – “it’s all about the journey.” This race day seemed to be filled with plenty of stories which left me full of joy.
I met Shadow a few weeks ago at the GirlZ Only Ride – this race was going to be her first triathlon. You could see the excitement and nerves. I exchanged a few race day suggestions and she was appreciative. I saw her after the race – grinning from ear to ear. She was a triathlete and thrilled. She also place in her First Timer’s Age Group – way to go Shadow! I hope the tri-bug has you hooked.
Then an old friend John, I hadn’t seen him since his bike accident a few years back. He was finally back in the saddle and he too was smiling. We caught up about his road to recovery and our kids. So great to see him.
Then there is the guy who has inked on his back “DAIRY IS CRUEL” - I see him at all the local races and in the process of retrieving my bike I finally ask him what’s up with that statement. Come to find out he is a die-hard vegan and this is way to slam the Dairy Industry and his perception of cruelty to the cows. We bantered a bit and I left cordially. Don’t necessarily agree with his need to do this advocacy on the race course – but it is who he is and now I know his story!
Sarah has recently been coming to Master’s swim the past few weeks. We briefly talked in the pool but had a chance to catch up at the race. I had met her last year at Tri Gulf Coast Mere Mortals. She told me she and her family got in a bad car accident within the last month and she has been having to orchestrate around her husband’s needs as he can’t drive or work. Yet she made it to the race and was smiling. My thoughts are with her family as they slowly recover.
Then Addison – he is young, races the under-19 AG and will continue to only improve in the sport. He has a sweet bike and passed me effortlessly. He looked strong. Setting off on my run I could see him stopping to PUKE a number of times. As I passed his mess I noticed it didn’t look pretty. It was only appropriate to ask after the race “dude, what did you eat.” His response – BBQ ribs last night! Yikes – someone needs to help Addison with his pre-race nutrition! Always great to see the youth out there racing – wish there was more like Addison out there staying active.
The day was a success – I was happy with my results but more importantly I was able to share in the great race experience with many other athletes. I love sharing the race course with newbies, veterans, friends, fellow teammates, and let me not forget my guy. Having him out their sharing in my passion is the icing on the cake!
Thank you to our sponsor Santa Rosa Island Triathlon for putting on this top notch event, thank you to the selfless volunteers, the Santa Rosa Island Authority for allowing the race amidst the summer chaos and thank you to all of OUR team sponsors for being a part of the WGCTT making an impact on the triathlon community.
I have always told fellow triathletes and those considering the multisport that the sport is fabulous sport. Unlike just one sport you have so many areas to learn and improve. But my biggest love for the sport is the journey – the people you meet along the way – “it’s all about the journey.” This race day seemed to be filled with plenty of stories which left me full of joy.
I met Shadow a few weeks ago at the GirlZ Only Ride – this race was going to be her first triathlon. You could see the excitement and nerves. I exchanged a few race day suggestions and she was appreciative. I saw her after the race – grinning from ear to ear. She was a triathlete and thrilled. She also place in her First Timer’s Age Group – way to go Shadow! I hope the tri-bug has you hooked.
Then an old friend John, I hadn’t seen him since his bike accident a few years back. He was finally back in the saddle and he too was smiling. We caught up about his road to recovery and our kids. So great to see him.
Then there is the guy who has inked on his back “DAIRY IS CRUEL” - I see him at all the local races and in the process of retrieving my bike I finally ask him what’s up with that statement. Come to find out he is a die-hard vegan and this is way to slam the Dairy Industry and his perception of cruelty to the cows. We bantered a bit and I left cordially. Don’t necessarily agree with his need to do this advocacy on the race course – but it is who he is and now I know his story!
Sarah has recently been coming to Master’s swim the past few weeks. We briefly talked in the pool but had a chance to catch up at the race. I had met her last year at Tri Gulf Coast Mere Mortals. She told me she and her family got in a bad car accident within the last month and she has been having to orchestrate around her husband’s needs as he can’t drive or work. Yet she made it to the race and was smiling. My thoughts are with her family as they slowly recover.
Then Addison – he is young, races the under-19 AG and will continue to only improve in the sport. He has a sweet bike and passed me effortlessly. He looked strong. Setting off on my run I could see him stopping to PUKE a number of times. As I passed his mess I noticed it didn’t look pretty. It was only appropriate to ask after the race “dude, what did you eat.” His response – BBQ ribs last night! Yikes – someone needs to help Addison with his pre-race nutrition! Always great to see the youth out there racing – wish there was more like Addison out there staying active.
The day was a success – I was happy with my results but more importantly I was able to share in the great race experience with many other athletes. I love sharing the race course with newbies, veterans, friends, fellow teammates, and let me not forget my guy. Having him out their sharing in my passion is the icing on the cake!
Thank you to our sponsor Santa Rosa Island Triathlon for putting on this top notch event, thank you to the selfless volunteers, the Santa Rosa Island Authority for allowing the race amidst the summer chaos and thank you to all of OUR team sponsors for being a part of the WGCTT making an impact on the triathlon community.