Amy returns to her very first triathlon
Everyone has a different path into triathlon. For me, it was miles and miles of running first. At the urging of some friends, I did a multisport event involving a kayak, mountain bike, and a run that left me excited about other events out there. A quick search online led me to my next challenge- a triathlon. I think everyone is nostalgic about their first tri, and for me that was Santa Rosa Island Triathlon in 2008. Despite the fact that my performance was less than stellar, I was hooked. Some good and some bad races in the last 12 years, but I always love coming back to SRITRI.
Our teammates, Mindi and Evan, did a tremendous job directing this event. We were also blessed with an amazingly beautiful and perfect day. The wind cooperated and shifted just in time for our morning gulf swim. I only saw one jelly during the 600 yards but was able to avoid him. The swim course was well supported and fun. For me to say a swim was fun means that it really, really was. Flat gulf swims are the best. The bike was crowded at the start but made me feel pride as it is just great to see so many racing this awesome sport that we love. I loved seeing my teammates (guys and girls) out on the course digging deep to ride hard on the flat and fast, out and back bike course. The 5K run through the neighborhood is over surprisingly fast, thank goodness. I was thinking as I was running that so many of us talk about what we are racing and say “oh, it’s ONLY a sprint”. In reality, sprints hurt the most. Like- A LOT. But the beautiful Pensacola Beach and awesome people make that pain worth it. It is always fun to race where you started, and I am excited to celebrate 25 years of SRITRI next year with the same awesome friends.
Our teammates, Mindi and Evan, did a tremendous job directing this event. We were also blessed with an amazingly beautiful and perfect day. The wind cooperated and shifted just in time for our morning gulf swim. I only saw one jelly during the 600 yards but was able to avoid him. The swim course was well supported and fun. For me to say a swim was fun means that it really, really was. Flat gulf swims are the best. The bike was crowded at the start but made me feel pride as it is just great to see so many racing this awesome sport that we love. I loved seeing my teammates (guys and girls) out on the course digging deep to ride hard on the flat and fast, out and back bike course. The 5K run through the neighborhood is over surprisingly fast, thank goodness. I was thinking as I was running that so many of us talk about what we are racing and say “oh, it’s ONLY a sprint”. In reality, sprints hurt the most. Like- A LOT. But the beautiful Pensacola Beach and awesome people make that pain worth it. It is always fun to race where you started, and I am excited to celebrate 25 years of SRITRI next year with the same awesome friends.
Jayme's first time at SRI TRI...but not her last!
The Santa Rosa Island Triathlon was epic. You could not have asked for more perfect weather with a flat swim, windless bike and little humidity in the run. From packet pick up to post race their was no detail left undone. We had race tats, fantastic food, a marching band, and all the water and beer we could drink.
Who can forget about those beautiful handcrafted awards? Sister Chain Tri didn’t disappoint. Amy Stanfield crushed the bike course, Candice Taylor dominated the swim and Jayme Bograd PRd her 5k. The team took 1st overall girls team and everyone on the team found a podium spot. The Pensacola Triathlon community is awesome and can’t wait to do SRI Tri again next year.
Who can forget about those beautiful handcrafted awards? Sister Chain Tri didn’t disappoint. Amy Stanfield crushed the bike course, Candice Taylor dominated the swim and Jayme Bograd PRd her 5k. The team took 1st overall girls team and everyone on the team found a podium spot. The Pensacola Triathlon community is awesome and can’t wait to do SRI Tri again next year.
Candice's favorite race of the season
Santa Rosa Island Triathlon is one of my favorite races. It’s the end of season and everyone is ready to bring their A game. This year was full of fierce competition and lots of smiles with many crossing the finish line for the very first time. The swim is my favorite part and we had the perfect weather. It’s been a while since I have started with a mass start, it was so much fun lining up with the ladies I have raced against many times. We were laughing and having a great time, then bam our face changed and we were off. Pushing hard through the gulf, turning the gears on a very fast bike with little wind, and the flat run through the neighborhood. I have ran through some special finishing chutes in the past few years, this one really stuck out with the flags and spectators lining up cheering you on. Can’t wait to do it all again next year!
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