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WHY I RACE - Tri the Island Triathlon

6/11/2017

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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. 

 

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Grandman 2017 - by Palmer Waechter

6/7/2017

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The 13th Annual Publix Grandman Triathlon was held on June 3rd, 2017. This was my third Grandman and I was especially excited to race with the ladies of the Women’s Gulf Coast Triathlon Team. It was a cloudy day, but luckily Mother Nature seemed to show her appreciation to the Mobile Baykeepers by keeping the bad weather on the western side of the bay. The environment was laid back, but I could feel competition in the air. With a 600 meter swim, 18.6 mile bike ride, and a 5 kilometer run looming, athletes prepared their equipment and warmed up for the big day.
           
Swim- New this year, the time trial swim started with racers jumping in the bay from two finger piers.  This was a much appreciated change that greatly reduced the wait time for many athletes. I was assigned to the second pier. The bay was calm and swimming conditions were great. After exiting the water racers ran up the stairs to T1 (transition one) where we put on our helmets and bike shoes, then grabbed our bikes to head out to THE hill.
           
Bike-The bike course started on the famous and dreaded hill that leads to the center of Fairhope. This was followed by a few more hills and a nice ride through the fields of Fairhope that are home to many horses and filled with ponds where turtles swim. I was happy to see the older gentleman in a wheelchair in his yard cheering us on. On training rides, Katie Bolton and I often see him and wave. After making our way down a hill we rode along the bay, thankfully there was not much wind. As I passed the Grand Hotel My Team Triumph racers gave me a push of encouragement. Cheering family and friends greeted us back to transition as we rode down the hill. 

Run- Following T2, the run started at the foot of the grueling hill that never seemed to stop. I was glad to see some friendly faces offering water along the course. After running across the bluff, I was especially happy that a local had generously set up a misting system to help the runners stay cool. I also liked the signs that the Woman’s Gulf Coast Triathlon Team posted along the course. As I made it back down the hill, circled the duck pond, I was relieved to run past the pier and into the finish chute.

Post-Race- After the race it was time for food, friends and awards. While waiting for awards I enjoyed getting stretched out by Dr. Ryan Nobles and using his Norma Tec boot sleeves.  As a team, we did great! Every WGCTT racer stood on the very top of the podium.
 
Dr Kat – Overall Female, Fastest Female Bike Split
Ms. Mindi- 1st Grandmaster Female
Ms. Sue- 1st Age Group (AG) 55-59
Ms. Becca- 1st AG 35-39, Fastest Female Run Split
Palmer (me) - 1st AG 0-19

          
In addition, a BIG thanks to Ms. Amy and Ms. Katie for cheering us on!  Also, thanks to our team sponsors Pro Cycle & Tri, Santa Rosa Island Triathlon, Bienville Orthopedic Specialists, Eastern Shore Cosmetic Surgery, Tropical Smoothie Cafe - Pensacola, Mindi Straw Custom Embroidery and Run-n-Tri. I received many compliments on our cute kits and podium shirts. Your support is greatly appreciated!
 

Race Beneficiaries
Mobile Baykeeper- Mobile Baykeeper is responsible for organizing and executing the successful Grandman race day. They do an amazing job gathering support from the 150+ volunteers who take time to make our race both fun and safe. The money the Baykeepers raise benefit the health of the bay and local waters. I am grateful for their efforts so that I can enjoy triathlons, swimming, skiing and other watersports in clean water.
 
My Team Triumph-My Team Triumph allows children and adults with disabilities to experience a triathlon. Captains are pulled by Angels through the swim, bike and run. It was especially meaningful this year to see Captain Andrew and his Angels on the course. Andrew and I attend the same church. All of the Captains and Angels were very inspiring.
 
Delta Bike Project-The Delta Bike Project is a volunteer based bike shop that promotes biking in Mobile, AL. They offer many services and advocate for the safe use of bicycles in our community. My brother and I have had four flat tires since moving to our new house in April. With the help of Ms. Jenn at the DBP, I changed two tubes. I changed the other two flats at Pro Cycle and Tri and we no longer ride in our backyard that has many stickers. The DBP is also a fabulous place to donate used bike equipment or old t-shirts that they use for rags.
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