Quartermax Tragedy

Yesterday was the Who Tri's Harder? race. I woke up and was excited because at the time I knew it would be a great day. I was awake, ready to race and counting the hours until the start. I got to the race site around 6am and set up my transition area. Afterwards, I met up with my parents and began the pre race routine that happens with my parents around, which primarily entails telling my dad to be quiet as he continually tells me to keep my head up in the water. With a hour to go before the race, I went for a warm up swim and felt great the whole way through the water. I then met up with two clients who decided to come see what I do. The next hour went by quickly as I went off by myself to prepare mentally for the race.Running late, our swim wave was gathered on the beach minutes away from starting the race, when it happened. Standing approx. 25 yards from the finish, I hear a frantic screaming that is different than the normal yelling of praise to athletes exiting. Immediately myself and 10 other athletes race over and as we near I hear the words I never thought I would hear. "He's under, He went down right there! Find him!" What happened next was nothing short of controlled insanity. We were joined with 100 other athletes and, if as we had done it thousand times before, we formed a search line and in 7 feet of water we found him. As I popped up for air I was face to face with the guy we were searching for. Instantly we dragged the man ashore and while others were making room, myself and another athlete began CPR. It was only about 30 - 45 secs before the paramedics arrived and relieved us of our duties. 30 - 45 minutes passed by as we waited for news and watched as they airlifted him out. We were informed that although the swim would be shortened, we would continue on in the spirit of the sport. Emotionally and physically spent, I decided that although I was in no shape or form the race, that I would push on and do my best to race anyway. Needless to say, the swim was horrible with thoughts of what just happened fresh in mind. As I exited the swim I felt overwhelmed with how many people stuck around to cheer us on. The bike also started out horrible as my chain fell off and I couldnt get my foot into the left shoe until 5 miles into the course. After that point, I was able to get into a rhythm with only one exception, where I passed a guy that was by my side in the rescue and looking in each others eyes we just nodded and then I was hit with a wave of emotions that caused me to lose it for a minute. The run was the only portion that went of well, I ran strong and felt great to the finish.After the race, we were informed that the man that we had pulled out had passed away at noon. It was a sobering reality and a heavy cost that was paid that day. I feel pain and sorrow for not being able to do more, and my thoughts go out to his family, friends and also to the race director, staff and fellow athletes that were affected by this tragedy. I must also say that I am proud to be part of a community that, when trouble arises, drops it all to rush to aid.

A new chapter in Dish vs Bone

Well as some may know, this weekend was the St. Peters Rec plex Triathlon. This was also the first race in a year that I got to compete against a fellow athlete and friend who was equally matched with myself. We had raced and met back in 2005 but have not raced against each other since then, until this weekend. Michael "Dish" Dishman came in town on Sat before the race and we caught up while heading out on a hour tune up ride that evening. We then shared stories about the past year of racing and our plans for the year to come. We discussed future races we could race in, not only against each other but as a team, and agreed on some really crazy races.
After riding, we headed out to our favorite pre race carb up resteraunt, Fazoli's. You may be saying "WHAT!?!" but every time that Dish or I have eaten there we have had a wonderful race, so why mess with what works. (side note: If you are affiliated with Fazolis - we are looking for sponsorship.) The rest of the night was filled with catching up and alot of shaving on my side.
4 am Race Day - Wake up, eat oatmeal, drink water, stretch. That was the routine. Checked the bag, made note that had to get Vasoline for the shoes and coffee.
5am - Got the Vasoline and coffee and on way to race. At 5:30 we pull in and the energy starts to rise. Nervous energy surges for a few minutes as I sit in the car and run through the race in my head. A good feeling and I am ready to go.
630am - Have been chatting it up with a bunch of fellow athletes. Race starts. I still have 1:21:30 to wait. AHHHHH! Pass the time by stretching and fiddling with the bike.
7:20am - In the pool area, nervous energy starting to rise. I do some arm circles, stretch and cheer on Dish as he swims past. Now I am in line and sizing up the people around me. Talk to a guy who is here for his first time. Give a few tips and tell him not to worry. Nervous Energy has now settled to excitement and all pistons are hitting on all cylinders. The last 2 minutes before my start take forever and are a blur as I was in auto pilot (good sign).
Swim is over and I don't remember half of it, I do remember my watch coming off in the 4th lap so no more knowing my time. Make my way to the bike and make a clean mount. 15 Minutes later and I am already nearing the turnaround, I have to check the excitement I don't want to burn to much energy. I hit the service road hill (1.5 Mile to go) and my computer say 50 minutes. New Record here I come. I miss judge the dismount which causes me a minute, but I am still off the bike in 57 Minutes a new best for the course.
Hitting the run, it takes an extra half mile for my legs to get under me. Now I am cruising and cheering everybody else on. I am sure some thought I was crazy to cheer them on when I am clearly trying to run fast, but thats what I love about the sport. As I near the finish line, I am unsure as to when to start my sprint since they altered the run course. I see a Volunteer and as I gesture where it is, he points and, reading my mind, yells encouragment. Now knowing my goal I make a dead sprint to the finish and cross in 1:44:35. Excitement and curiosity rage, did I beat Dish? Where did I place?
The awards ceremony reveals that while I made a great race and finished 7th in my Age Group and 37th out of close to 500. Dish beat me with a 1:38:13 and a 3rd in AG and 15th overall. A good job for Dish and fuel for my next race.
We are still unsure of our next race but be gauranteed it will be a good one. We are leaning to competing as a team in a 2008 race, the race? A 24-Hour Triathlon in Colorado. It will be a blast!