Ironman x3--Boy did that HURT!

Ironman Maryland was September 20, 2014.  I knew going into this race I was going to hurt and HURT BAD!

I had not done a swim session for training since June and had not been in water since the Wildwood triathlon in August.  I had not ridden my bike more than three hours at any point this year.  I had not performed a run lasting more that an hour since June.  Not the way you want to go into an Ironman would be an understatement!

If an athlete I coached told me this information before any race, I would have told them to pull-out....they were not prepared...they could get hurt...there is always another race.  Did I listen to any of this for myself...NO!!!!  I figured I could SUCK IT UP, listen to my body, and get through the day.  I registered for IM Maryland only after deciding to defer from Challenge Atlantic City because I KNEW I would not finish if I entered that race.

I had done Eagleman 70.3 last year, so I knew the course pretty well and the area of Cambridge, MD.  I also knew I could camp at the local High School for only $50, way cheaper than a hotel for 5 days.  I went down on Friday morning (a 2.5-3-hour drive), I set my tent in the gym so I would not have to deal with mother nature, and went to check-in.  Ironman did it right again according to my experience.  I had no trouble at athlete check-in, or the IM Village for that matter.  Bike racking was next, and it was only .5 miles from the finish area.  I went and had lunch with my free meal voucher, then off to the gym for a nap.  After waking I finished setting all my gear I would need for race day, and after I returned at the end of the day.  There is nothing worse than trying to do all that after a race...especially an Ironman.  I found the same pizza place for dinner that I ate in at Eagleman, and then off to bed.

packing is just as hard as the race

nice note from Cathy

Enough about that...the race:  14:36:51...super slow
Swim:  1:44:30
T1:  5:01
Bike:  6:30:33
T2:  9:09
Run:  6:07:38

Ok now on to the race.  The swim is in the Choptank River and has the standard rolling start, you walked down a boat ramp to start.  I had to borrow a wetsuit since mine broke at the Wildwood Tri.  Again, just before I went in the water, I went to zip up and SNAP, the zipper would not stay closed.  So I swam the 1.2 miles with a little parachute on my back since the back of the wetsuit was not closed.  I suffered through the swim.  Between the current, the broken suit, lack of training, and knowing I was going to suffer, I did not have much real effort, or so it seemed, during the swim.  Plenty of water safety and the course was marked well.  Came out of the water and found my bike quickly.

  

I had a pretty good T1.  I got in the change tent and dressed for the bike quickly.  As I headed out I made sure I got extra sun screen because I knew I would be out there a while.  The bike course rolls through the town of Cambridge along the western edge then out to the Blackwater National Refuge.  The high school I stayed at is the special needs location, so knew exactly when I was.  The only problem with the bike course, is there is literally no spectators out on the course in Blackwater.  There is only one road around the area, and we were on an open road to traffic.  The only cheering was from the special needs area and the aid stations.  Don't get me wrong they were loud when we came by.  The best part of the course is its flat, but that means your are peddling the entire time, not coasting downhill, or climbing out of your seat.  It is 112 miles of steady state cranking on your peddles.  Look at my belly hanging on my legs.

Made it to T2 pretty sore.  Those last 15 miles were tough.  I felt like I had nothing in my legs.  But that is what happens when you don't put in the training.  I did follow a good nutrition plan, it was just I had no drive in my legs and my rear was sore.  In T2, I took my time and got plenty of fluid in, and a volunteer gave me a little bag of peanut M&M's, perfect.  Once I got more sunscreen on me, especially my neck and shoulders, I left T2.  Almost immediately I knew I was in for a really long day on the run.  I could not run at all.  Not for lack of effort or nutrition, simply my legs would not turn over...lack of training and preparation for sure.  The run was a three loop course, so plenty of chance for spectators.  It was a really well supported run course.  The aide stations were awesome and the volunteers at those stations could not have been any more supportive.  I straight out walked the first 1.5 miles.  Then I started slowly.  Run for 1 minute walk for 1 minute.  Then my plan became run as long as I could then walk until I could run again.  Some times I lasted 3 minutes running, sometimes 30 seconds....So I basically walked/jogged a marathon.  Each time I tried to run, my feet felt like I was walking on glass.  Not enough callouses built up I figured.  The final half mile was awesome. Coming out of the downtown area to the finish was great.  Mike Reilly wasn't there to call you in, but there was a ton on energy in the area.  I did my best to look normal but it was tough.

Three's for my third finish.

Look at the rounded belly sticking out on the side.

The walk to get my bike and gear after was tough.  I talked to Cathy, gathered myself, put on dry/warm clothes, and made the slow painful .5 mile walk to pick up my bike and gear.  I think that took 30 minutes.  I noticed lots of other "suffering" should shuffling along.  In Lake Placid, I always had someone to help carry my gear and I would push the bike.  This time I was solo. Once I got my bike I had another .5 mile to my car with two gear bags, a transition bag, and my bike. I made it back to the high school, took a shower, and made it down to my ultra comfy air mattress.  I never really sleep well after a long distance race, so I did my best to calm down, rehydrate, and put my lags up.  I have a hard time eating a lot after, so I had a few little snacks and passed out.

I woke up round 5am and started the process of breaking down the tent and packing all my gear into the car, multiple back and forth shuffling.  It is funny, I was trying to be quite but there were many other finishers milling around, near the bathrooms, and the front door.  I finally hit the road around 6am for the 3 hour trip home.  I did stop at Wawa for gas and food...I was starving now.  Another one down!

Tri another Tri the Wildwoods

This is one of my favorite races every year and it all starts with the Race Director Stephen Del Monte of Delmo Sports.  I have been fortunate enough to do around 10 races a year the last few years, and his are always the best.  You get good SWAG, great communication leading into the race(video updates, not just email), great courses, and unbelievable race support....everything a participant could ever want.

Tri the Wildwood is also on my "home" summer course.  I have been going to Wildwood in the summer since I was born, so its like a second hometown.  Plus my mom and dad now live just outside Wildwood, so its FREE to stay for the weekend---BONUS!!  This was by far my SLOWEST race at Wildwood, but no less fantastic due to the course, athletes, and location.

The race:  1:13.58
Swim: 13:38
T1:  3:24
Bike:  30:28
T2:  1:35
Run:  24:52

91st of 869...terrible place for me, but I finished safe and with a smile on my face.

I always arrive early at Wildwood as I want to park on the beach block.  Also, the racking for your bike is first come first serve, and with many first timers competing, I want to make sure I get an accessible location.  Set up was easy, ran into some tri friends, and headed to the swim start.

I know it has been a tough long year for me, and I was heavier this season then any other season, but as I stood at the start, I was soaking in the sights and feeling very lucky to just be there.  The swim start is a rolling start, no waves, just go when ready.  While I was waiting to go, I went to pull up my wet suit and SNAP, there went the zipper.  Proved how heavy I was this season, the zipper just couldn't hold any longer.  It was too late to take it off, so I went in with a flapping back to a wet suit, basically like swimming with a parachute on.  I love the ocean swim, you bob up and down with the waves, but the "parachute" was slowing me down.  There are plenty of lifeguards in the water with Jet Ski's, paddle boards, surf boards, and boats.  I always feel safe at the Delmo event swims.  Made it out of the swim safely...no JAWS sighting, so a double bonus.

The bike course was different this year, you would head straight out of North Wildwood, perfect to get in aero and go for speed.  The problem for me was lugging around extra weight..DOH.  The new bike course was awesome...5 miles out and 5 miles back...only 2 bridges in each direction, so 4 hills that are short and steep.  The bike is a little congested but not real bad as long as you are paying attention.  

The run is a great beach run, down by the ocean, so its packed sand and not overly difficult.  The toughest part is the little soft sand getting to the hard sand, but it is not that soft or long.  Once you make the turn to the boardwalk, it gets even better.  The run North along the boardwalk, through Morey's Piers with all the rides, is fantastic.  It is also great for me because my kids go on all those rides.  The boardwalk has lots of people out for walks or riding bikes, so you get lots of looks...like they had no idea there is a race going on.  I always have a blast at Wildwood.  After the race you get access to the food tent, with a full breakfast buffet, with plenty of Bacon!  Instant race results as well.  Can't beat it.

                               

Where has the time gone?????

I cannot believe my last post was from last September.  The year has flown by and Ironman Maryland is just under two months away.  The past ten months have flown by and I am not even sure how to catch up with the year, but I will try.

In October we almost moved out of the state of Pennsylvania.  It would have been a big adjustment for all five of us, but something we were excited about.  After meeting with a realtor and home inspector, we decided we need to take some time and make some changes in the house before we could sell it in a reasonable time.  Selling a house and moving in Nov/Dec is tough, so we decided to make the improvements then we could move when we are ready.

We had two new roofs put on in November, a new roof on the house and a new roof on the patio attached to the house.  A new floor in the basement, and minor changes to outside electrical systems that were no longer to code.  I rebuilt the closet in the basement.  We had HORRIBLE popcorn ceiling removed from all three bedrooms and the hallway upstairs.  What a mess that created!  I also painted the girls room, nice purple for them.

The holidays flew buy and we had a terrible winter.  My training went into the tank.  The bad weather made me sleep in and not want to train in cold, freezing rain, ice, and snow.  Last winter I trained all the time, but this year was one of the worst winters in Philly's history, and I suffered through it.

When I finally got back to training I was an easy 20lbs heavy.  Slow and painful on runs and tough on the bike because my legs always felt heavy.  I did a nice local 5 miler in March, and was embarrassed by my results.  I am not an olympian by any stretch, but I was used to being a little faster.  I did an Xterra race for the first time in 17 years back in April as a tune up for Challenge Atlantic City.  The race was great, the Jersey Devil, but I broke my toe during it.  I was laid up with no biking and running for 4-weeks.  My motivation was in the crapper at this point.  Four weeks of not biking and running was a demoralizer for me.  I had to withdraw from the Devilman Triathlon and the Dirty German Endurance Festival Trail Run in May.  I also deferred to next year for Challenge Atlantic City.

In June I went after the Escape the Cape Triathlon in Cape May just to see were I was physically and mentally.  The results were OK, the race was awesome, but I felt demoralized again.  I slugged it out, but it hurt.  Last year I did not hurt after any race other than Eagleman 70.3 and Ironman Lake Placid.  I had not hurt after a smaller triathlon in years.  WHAT A TOTAL BUMMER!

Jumping off the ferry is awesome.

In the hurt locker at the end.

The GOOD part of the year was raising money and supporting special needs children.  This year we did awesome at the Beef and Beer and our Golf Outing.  Here are some photo's of the camp we sponsored this year.  It looks like the kids are really enjoying it.

Maybe the kids can help me on the bike.

Trip on the train we had sponsored as well.

Looks like a good story.

Now I have Ironman Maryland in just a few weeks and I need to get motivated and focused.

Last Tri of the Year in Atlantic City

Just the facts:

71st overall

7th in Age Group

1 Mile Swim, 20 mile bike, & 6.2 mile run

Swim:  30:39

T1:  2.29

Bike:  54:24 (22 MPH)

T2:  2.22

Run:  44:20

TOTAL:  2:14.16

This would be a nice and easy race for me.  Admittedly, I had not trained much since the Wildwood Triathlon on August 17.  Between vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, and back to school time in our house, I just did not make training a huge priority.  It showed with the results this year.  I was over 7 minutes slower, mostly on the run.  All of the Delmo Sports races are awesome in their own way, but Atlantic City Triathlon is quickly becoming one of my favorite races.  It is at the perfect time of year, late summer.  Temps are usually dropping, the water is still warm, and humidity is low….perfect conditions.

This year you would rack your bike on Saturday, the day before the race.  I was also taking a fellow PTC'er's bike with me and I had Kristina and Emma along as team support.  We headed to AC on Saturday afternoon.  It is the AC Seafood Festival as well as check-in for the triathletes, so Bader Field is a little busy.  Bader Field was super easy to navigate with plenty of FREE parking for athletes.  After check-in we caught Stephen DelMonte's race review and see Tom Knoll, he is an original Ironman.

I had promised the girls we would hit the boardwalk for some rides on Saturday night.  It wound up being a late night, and I did not get to bed until 11:30pm, way to late.  The alarm would go off at 4:15AM!  It is a 40 minute ride to AC from my parents house, so I wanted to hit the road by 4:30.  I got up to AC by 5:15AM and cruised right into the parking lot.  I was in transition and set up by 5:30AM.  Now I just had to relax.

DelMo has adopted a no wave swim start.  You basically line up in the honor system, fast people at the front, average swimmer in the middle, and those just there to enjoy the day towards the back.  This year, the Mid-Atlantic Para Triathlon Championship would be happening at AC.  DelMo did this part the best.  All the Para Triathletes would hit the water first.  The rest of the athletes would wait along the shore line cheering for these awesome and inspirational athletes.   It was my favorite part of the day.  Watching these athletes swim in a competition that determines a champion!  If a picture tells a 1,000 words, then what does this picture tell us. Here is Rob Winder and athlete Jessica Rogers.  I would love to see the Go Pro video of that.  Rob has the camera on his head.

Watching the Para Triathletes was inspirational and loud.  Everyone was going crazy on the shore line.  Once all the Para athletes finished DelMo had the sprint athletes start then the olympic athletes.  The swim would be in the back bay, protected from the waves of the ocean that almost killed two years ago (the swim was cancelled AFTER I went into the water).  The swim was a little different than last year, but used the same basic rectangle.  The best part about DelMo Sports is their concern for the athletes.  Once again, plenty of lifeguards in the water and along the shoreline at the exit.  The run to T1 was better than last year, carpeted exit path and T1 was on grass.  I am on the far right starting my Garmin.

Once I changed and got ready for the bike I headed towards Albany Ave.  Heading out of T1 there was a little gravel, but plenty of volunteers to point it out so you noticed it.  We exited Bader Field and Rt 40/322 Albany Ave and headed West towards the Atlantic City Expressway.  We entered the ACE at exit 2.  It is awesome to ride on the ACE with hardly any cars on it since the right lanes are closed and we ride in the right lane and shoulder.  We exit at #4, cross over the ACE, and re-enter at exit 4 heading east directly into Atlantic City.  Once into AC, we make a short loop on the exit ramp and turn around heading Westbound again towards exit 4.  Once you get to exit 4 you just loop around the off ramp and exit the ACE at #2 and return to Bader Field.  A nice easy 20-miler on the bike in and out of AC.  Coming into t2, again plenty of police, volunteers, and DelMo staff on hand.  

Once I got to my rack, I put my bike up and got dressed for the run.  I was moving OK, but my feet were sweaty and I had a hard time getting on my Zoot racing flats because the grip of my wet feet.  Once I got done dorking around in T2, I hit the run.  The run course was the same as last year, a nice run along the boardwalk.  Running to the boardwalk was a little crazy.  Some of the roads were opened to traffic, but with police controlling to flow.  Sometimes the drivers paid no attention to the police.  I had no issues and made sure to thank the officers each time I passed them.  I felt OK running and noticed many people with their Philadelphia Triathlon Club race kits on.  

After the race I had to head back to my parents and could not stay at the awards ceremony.    The Jersey Girls won the club challenge from I Tri 4 Downs.  They had the most participants competing.

I now start to transition to fall running on the trails and the road.  I still may decide to do a fall marathon, but I am focusing on the trails.

PS--Challenge Atlantic City was announced the other day and of course I signed up.  Challenge is another ultra distance triathlon company, like WTC and the Ironman brand.  Stephen Delmonte and DelMo Sports is going to be the co-race director of this iconic race, so you know it will rock!

Wildman

Short recap:
Swim 9:23
T1 2:43
Bike 28:18
T2 2:21
Run 20:03 a PR for a 5K
1:02:50

On August 17th I participated again in one of my favorite races of the season, the Wildoood Triathlon.  It is at the South Jersey shore and close to my parents house.  I have been going to Wildwood for my whole life, so I feel like it is a home race for me.  To make it extra special, I Tri 4 Downs was the presenting sponsor for the Wildman/women program, a contest for Tri clubs to see who had the most participants.

We picked up my stuff the day before, as recommended, on our way to the boardwalk with the kids.  Race day was just perfect weather.  As always Stephen DelMonte of Delmo Sports was right on top of everything.  We were able to put up a tent in the tri club area since we were a sponsor of the club challenge.  We had the America Flag flying high, and the pirate flag flying low...because sometimes we race like a pirate and try and take no prisoners....a goal for today.  My secret goal was to finish high enough to qualify for the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship.  I had qualified for this year, but just could not pull it off so close to Ironman Lake Placid.

DelMo Sports has adopted a new swim start procedure for their races, no waves, you start when you want based on your ability.  They send people into the ocean in groups of 10 at a time.  Most athletes I overheard talking before really like it.  Your clock does not start until you start, so at the end of the day it really does not matter.  The swim was great.  You ran south on the beach for  little bit then headed into the water.  The waves were great!  Once you made it past the breakers, the swells were fantastic.  I made it through in 9:23, not to bad for an ocean swim.

The run into T1 is on soft sand, so it is a great equalizer as far as I am concerned.  I got to my bike and out of the wetsuit in ok time.  Since it is a sprint, I have no drink or food to worry about on the bike.  The bike course was new this year.  No more "loops" around the Central Avenue.  This year we hugged the shore line and then headed out to Stone Harbor, NJ.  It was much better for just trying to hammer for a good portion of the race.  The turns are not real technical, just sweeping with plenty of room.  Plenty of Police, volunteers, and spectators for 5 of the 10 miles.

The run is my best event in a tri, so I love a beach run, especially in Wildwood because I run the beach just about every weekend of the summer.  I got off the bike feeling good and ready.  I knew I would be close to finish in under 1:05, my goal.  My bike rack in transition was close to the bike out sign so I had plenty of room to get my legs heading out to the run.  You ran back toward the ocean for the hard packed sand coming out of T2.  You head south along the beach, then head into the boardwalk to go north along the boardwalk to the finish.  Running along the beach, I was pacing off a young girl in front of me and another guy.  I remember saying to him something about how small girls can generate so much power when running.  Then I looked at his leg and he was 40, breathing hard already (we were only .25 miles in), and I thought to myself "see ya dude" what am I holding back for.  Before we hit the turn to the boardwalk I had reeled in the girl in front of me and was cruising on the boardwalk.  I made it passed a few people along the boardwalk, but at this point everyone was pretty fit, hard swimmer, and bikers I assumed.  Coming in and out of the piers with the rides is awesome.  Here I am heading out of Mariners Landing.

Coming off the boardwalk to the finish, I saw Cathy and our friend Karen Halm, both volunteering as part of I Tri 4 Downs.  I came down to the finish having run my fastest 5K ever, 20:03.  The best part was that Kristina put my finisher medal on, because she volunteered as well.

All the crew volunteering!

This is without a doubt one of my favorite races of the year.  It was the 2nd of the three DelMo Sports Races, next up Atlantic City International Triathlon!

IRONMAN....again!

Well I'll cut to the chase.....I made it through Ironman Lake Placid again, and felt some redemption after last years medical DNF.

Time 11:51:19...A PR by 1:12 seconds, hey better than getting slower.

The swim:  Ironman had a new start this year.  A rolling start like in a road running race.  I know some athletes did not like this, I could hear them at the athletes meeting saying so, but I liked it.  I don't really enjoy the swimming for over an hour and fifteen minutes, so I like not getting kicked or swam over in a mass start.  At the athlete meeting, the swim director promised everyone that if we self seeded honestly, the swim times would be faster.  Well, I was honest and went into the 1:15-1:20 section, and toward the back.   When my wave went into the water I had plenty of space, never contacted another person until the final turn at lap 1 and at the finish.  Came out of the water in 1:18:17, faster than last year but with less energy spent.  Perfect and under my goal of 1:20, I didn't even notice it was raining a little.

I'm on the right.

T1 is a long way from the swim exit.  After exiting the water I found a young looking guy to yank the wet suit off.  Getting into T1 is great.  You grab your bike gear bag and head into the tent to get changed.  In the tent the volunteer that helped me was awesome.  He got me everything I needed.  When I came out of the tent it was still raining, but the volunteer at the rack had my bike ready to go.

The bike starts off with a fast downhill, and with the rain I was going to take it super slow.  Plus my family would be at the bottom of Colden Ave and Mill Pond Drive right in front of the Ambulance Station.  Colden and Mill Pond is just before you make the right turn onto Route 73 and head out of town.  I had promised Cathy on Friday that I would take the first lap of the bike easy and enjoy the scenery.  

Heading out for Lap 2

Team support on the bike

I would sit up and take it all in during the bike and enjoy the 6 hours as best I could.  The beginning of the ride you roll up and out of town, then head down the descent where you can hit 45 mph with no problems.   The rain slowed me down here but that was OK.  The first 35 miles of the bike are not too bad, lots of great views and towns.  Miles 35-41 are tough, especially on the second loop at mile 91-97ish.  It is 6 miles of steady climbing.  No one hill is tough, but it just goes on and on.  You look at your odometer and you are only going 10-14 MPH, it is mentally challenging, especially on lap two.  The ride up the "Notch" before town I don't mind as much as this 6 mile section.  I hit my special needs bag for a little bottle of Mountain Dew and Milky Way bar..yummy.  That was a nice pick me up...I did restock my bike with drinks also.  Last year, I "crashed" with about 25 miles to go on the bike and really didn't remember the last 10 miles coming into town.  So I did not want a repeat of that.  I rode steady and calm, drank plenty of water and Gatorade, and ate when I was hungry.  The sun did finally come out for about 4 hours of the bike.  Had no issues with my bike mechanically or physically.  Bike time:  6:11:40

T2 was a little crazy and crowded.  It is a little tough standing upright after riding in areo position for so long, so everyone kind of looks like The Hunchback of Notre Dame when they first get off the bike.  I had another great volunteer who helped me out and made sure I had everything.  Last year I kind of passed out in the change tent so I was glad to be moving so well.  I made sure I  got to the sun-screeners this year before I left the T2 area.

The run:  The beginning of the run is awesome once you can stand straight.  You head out of the Olympic Oval and go downhill through town.  Its almost 2 miles of crowds going crazy.  I saw my crew right at the corner of Mill Pond Dr and Route 73, only .5 miles from the start of the marathon.  Once you get out passed the Horse Show Grounds, it starts to get a little lonely on the out and back of River Road since the only crowds are the aid stations.  Coming back into town and up the two big climbs around mile 12 the crowds are insane.  You really get a boost from it all.  Plus you can already here Mike Reilly announcing the really fast athletes.  The first loop I really stayed calm and paced easy.  I did it in 1:50 according to my Garmin.  

The second loop is tough.  It is a dog fight.  I felt like the 1988 Mike Tyson was hitting me, not the 2004 Mike Tyson.  When I saw Cathy, my parents, and kids again I got a nice boost, but still had almost 13 miles to go.  I made it mile 15 before I started to walk the aid stations.  Along River Road there were lots of walkers already, including me.  It seemed like the entire run I was around the same 20 people, some on the first loop and some on the second.  It was an alternation between walking the aid station, then run for as long as I could.  I hit mile 20 then went into the hurt locker.  I started the mental task of calculating how long it would be if I walked it in.  This is the tough part of Ironman, not giving in to the mental side.  My body felt ok, but my mind was playing tricks on me.  I would try and not listen, but its tough.  

Coming off River Road and up the hill I finally knew I was under 3 miles to go and was 3:30 into the marathon, give or take some time.  Going passed the Horse Show Grounds I was hurting and at mile 23.5.  The crowds really help you along this part.  I hit the aid station near Mill Pond Road and the lumber yard, lots of Philadelphia Triathlon Club members, that helped thanks to Jimmy Deom, who ran next to me for a few yards shouting encouragement.  The last two hills are long and steep.  I had to walk the first one, but got moving on the second.  Turning right onto Mirror Lake Drive I knew I was under 1.5 miles to go.  The crowds are awesome and I saw Matt Long crossing the street.  I made the final turnaround and knew I was close, but I was hurting.  For the last 10 miles I was slipping sponges into my race kit, ice down my back, cola, oranges, anything I could to stay hydrated and cool.  As you get close to the oval, you hear Mike Reilly calling everyone.  I started drifting over to the side of the street that says finish with a right turn arrow.  As you do that, the crowd really gets loud for you.  Making that right  towards the oval was awesome.  I entered the oval and was on cloud 9.  I almost forgot how bad I was hurting.  As I got close to the finish, I looked over and saw my family...that was great.  Crossing the line again was fantastic, 4:07:56!  I was healthy and happy to be done.  The volunteers at the finish really take car of you, making sure you are ok and have what you need.  I can't say enough about them.

I told Cathy after that next year I may only do 70.3 distances as well as local races.  Training for Ironman takes alot of time, and my kids are at the age where they have a lot of activities on the weekends, so we will see.  I did also say that 2015 I would do the new Boulder Ironman, since I want to visit that area anyway.

Best Triathlon EVER!

I had the great pleasure of learning about this race by accident.  I follow Team Long Brothers on Facebook, and noticed them post about a triathlon they would be doing in Allentown, PA at the end of June.  I thought it might be cool to day trip it up there with the kids so we could watch the Long Brothers in action.  I looked into the event and who was organizing it and was amazed at what I read.

Mikayla’s Voice was the organization that was putting on this AWESOME event called Tri for Inclusion.   “Mikayla’s Voice Tri for Inclusion is much more than a race. It is a priceless opportunity for all children and young adults and an important message for our community. Kids of all abilities have the opportunity to compete side-by-side and together in something they had likely not dreamed possible or ever planned to do. Kids are able to sign up to compete in the swim, bike and run ~ or just one event as part of a relay team. Their efforts show our entire community that there is always a way to include everyone in everything.”  Basically it was a triathlon for any and everybody, no matter if the child was disabled or not, participating side-by-side.

I had long thought about doing a triathlon with Kristina and watched many you tube clips of parents/siblings doing them with their disabled athlete, like the Hoyt's.  I always figured I could tow her in a raft, tow her in a buggy on the bike, and she could run/jog /walk with me on the run.  I talked to Kristina about wanting to do it and she was all for it.  Having done the Ironkids race the last two years in Lake Placid, she wanted to try all three.  Emma overheard us talking and asked if she could do it as well.  Next thing I knew, my niece Brenna was also interested and now we had an official team.  Conor was a little too young and was very pissed about that, because he really wanted to do it.

I emailed Kim from Mikayla’s Voice to ask about I Tri 4 Downs being a sponsor of the event since it seemed right in line with what we like to do.  I asked the Board of I Tri 4 Downs, and we became one of the main sponsors of the day.  We wound up having all five of us going up, as well as Karen Halm, a Board Member and good friend.  Brenna got sick and could not make it. 

Before the event, I was talking to a donor to I Tri 4 Downs and telling him about this event.  I told him I thought I was going to buy a Tag-along Bike for Kristina to try.  Since she is 13 now, and a little too big for the buggy, I wanted her to feel like she was one a real bike.  That conversation turned into him giving me his old Ally Cat bike that his grand kids had outgrown.  I also got her a seat back with a belt system to make her more secured.  Kristina loved it!  We practiced while we were on vacation before the big day.

Heading into transition

This is quite different.  Race day came and I was not nervous or anxious.  I figured I could handle the 75yard swim, 3 mile bike, and .6 mile run with no problem….Kristina and Emma on the other hand had no idea what to expect.  The first two waves for the swim were all the kids that needed to be in a raft getting towed.  What a sight to see, the smiles on those kids faces was no different then the smile I have during a race.  Kristina was wave three, since I was her chaperone I could go in the water with her.  She did awesome, swam all 75 yards without any help from me.  Emma was wave 8 and would be going solo.  Cathy and Karen saw her and said her goggles busted just as she hit the water.  I had promised Emma that Kristina and I would wait in transition before the bike so she would not be alone.

Emma with her broken goggles

Kristina and I waited for Emma just like I promised.  Once Emma got out and I found out about her mishap, we hit the road for a tough 3 mile hilly bike ride.  The bike went 1.5 out from the school and returned.  It was surprisingly hilly for some of the kids.  We stayed together the entire ride, even when Emma had to walk up some of the hills.  It was awesome to see so many disabled athletes out there biking along side so called regular kids.

Heading home from the bike.

After the bike, Emma was not feeling too good, so she decided she did not want to run the .6 mile run around the school.  So Kristina and I headed out for whatever she could handle.  She did a good job of running, jogging, and walking when she was tired.  Tons of volunteers gave Kristina lots of encouragement!

Heading for the finish!  What a smile.

We had a great day.  It was great that I Tri 4 Downs could be part of this.  Mikayla's Voice said that over 140 athletes participated and that this was the only kids triathlon with disabled and regular kids participating at the same time.  Some kids did it solo, some were a relay team, and some needed chaperones.  The finisher medal I received from this race is #1 on my wall at work.