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Last night's sprint tri, directed by club sponsor Mandy Braverman and Endureit! Mulitsports, was a blast! The race site was moved up to the top of a hill, at Mountain Lake Camp.This was good for several reasons, one being the weather, as Kate S. and I were driving out dark luminous, threatening storm/rain clouds were all around us. During registration, many athletes had their eyes on the sky. By the time the race started, the sun shown brightly and all concerns about bad weather were gone. Even missing out on the course was the wind, which was noticeable earlier in the evening. Driving up the hill to the race site, we got a preview of what the first and last miles of the bike looked like, as well as the part of the run course. You certainly would need your climbing legs.

Parking and registration were a breeze. In a strong effort to be eco-friendly, the race numbers, black wicking T-shirt and waterbottle and a few extra goodies were in reusable tote bags. Nice touch! In the transition area, there was a Heat rack set up. Being a newer member, I only recognized a few members. I knew that most were racing at the Healthnet Tri the next day.

After reviewing the transition area, it was time to head down to the lake. It was a counter clockwise swim around the perimeter. It's funny how a half-mile always look so much longer. First the guys went off. RD Mandy gave the women some nice words of encouragement before we started. Then it was time to chase down the guys. I was in the front group and there were about 6-7 people ahead of me. By the time we got to the first bouy, the pink female caps looked just like the red male caps in the evening sunlight. Just keep swimming. As I rounded the final bouy I thought there was at least one pink cap ahead of me, but as I exited the water I heard "first female". Wow, cool. I wondered how long I could keep up with the lead. Into and out of transition, I was wishing I have perfected the flying mount and dismount. I started working on it at the end of last season, but I am still off from having the confidence to do it in a race. Down the hill, I went. And then the loop around the lake began. It seemed like a really scenic course. The ride around the lake was flat, with lots of curves and corners as it traveled around the perimeter of the lake. Then the hills back up to the Lake. Strawberry Hill was steep. Before we turned back onto Mountain Rd, it was the steepest. I made a point to pass a few guys just before the crest. Heartrate and respiration rate were high. A spectator/volunteer told me to settle in, or something to that affect. I got back in the aerobars and continued to climb. Rounding the corner, I saw Jay, and got a few words of encouragement. As I continued to climb, I heard a few "first female". I knew I had a target on my back and wondered who and where the next female was. Coming back into T2, there was a nice crowd of spectators to cheer us in. The crowd got considerably louder as I passed. So I was the first on the swim, and I successfully stayed ahead on the bike, but what about the run. That is my weakest of the three, but that thought hadn't really entered my mind. Heading out on the run, I saw Mandy and she shouted words of encouragement.

I knew the run course was a compared to a XC course. What was visible from the transition was grassy and rollling. Well it certainly got more challenging. There was this flat grassy loop along the perimeter of this field and it gave me a chance to look and see where the next female was. No where in sight. Just keep running. Following the well marked course up and down the dirt/gravel hills, I ran. Then I saw her. Just keep running. At this point, it took some mental toughness. After leaving the woods we were back on the Mountain Rd. again. I heard more cheers and "first female". We ran down hill to the turnaround and then back up to the finish with a final small hill on the grass around this barn and into the finish!! Yeah! Mandy was there to congratulate me. It was kinda cool, I was interviewed by the local paper. I hope I made sense. Then the second place women came over and congratulated me. Turns out we had chatted for a few minutes at the lake before the start.

After the race was pizza and other goodies. And then I gathered my gear and headed back to the car to change into some dry clothes. Once I was more comfortable, Kate and I hung out and waited for the awards. I got quite the array of stuff. A handy backpack from Cannondale, a tri top, a surpisingly sweet gift certificate from Cannondale and a basket of three types of lettuce from an organic farm and two jars of thier own canned tomatoe sauce and a bottle of salad dressing. I suppose now I'll stop whining about missing out on Mooseman this year and not having a chance to get my bottle of maple syrup.

It really was a fantastic race! I can't think of a better way to end the first day of summer and start a fantastic season. And looks I'll be going back next year to defend my title.