Lucky I’m sane after all I’ve been through
I can’t complain but sometimes I still do
Life’s been good to me so far…
Joe Walsh -- Life’s been good
I can’t complain but sometimes I still do
Life’s been good to me so far…
Joe Walsh -- Life’s been good
I had good fortune and a fast enough race at Vineman this year to qualify for a spot at Clearwater and gladly accepted the offer.
Three months later.
We arrived in Clearwater, Florida on the evening of November 5th two full days before the race. The Hilton was the epicenter - it was filled with other athletes and electric with excitement. I was exhilarated to be there and couldn’t wait to see the course and beach.
Next morning was swim practice. The swim course was already laid out and many of the competitors were practicing their technique for running into the water, swimming and giving interviews. I met up with our friend and 2007 pro home stay, Canadian Cynthia Wilson. It’s amazing to be among so many incredible athletes. For the first time I realized these people are some of the best in the world, and I get to play with them! More of the hype included cycling the area with other competitors, a welcome dinner, a brief run and finally the transition setup on Friday.
The transition setup wasn’t the standard “find your spot and lay out your stuff “. There was a very pleasant and informative volunteer to help us through the maze of bike and bag placements (blue bag for bike and red for run). There was also a changing tent, with chairs (us older guys appreciate that) we all had to run through during each transition.
The next morning Cris and I were ready at the start area as the Color Guard played the anthem, TV helicopters flew overhead and nervous pros swung their arms and bounced anxiously at the start line.
Within 15 minutes I’d finished my swinging and bouncing too, was in the water and found a great spot near the front on the inside near the course buoys. While swimming I remembered one of the athletes was 78 year-old Sister Madonna Buder in the wave in front of me. Was it bad juju to pass the nun? In 32 minutes I was out of the water, into the change tent then on the bike.
One of the pre-race descriptors was the 12% grade on Memorial Bridge leading out of Clearwater. It really didn’t look anywhere near that steep and I was able to climb it in my big ring (I know I’m a masher but… it was a great deal like climbing Roblar Road). Another legend about Clearwater is the notorious drafting that goes on among competitors. Some of that is certainly true. I was passed by groups of 10 or more riders several times but I also saw 10 or more people in the penalty tent.
To minimize the amount of time the race would affect the good citizens of Clearwater the waves were arranged (with the exception of the pros) from oldest to youngest or perhaps more importantly, from slowest to fastest.
I have never been passed so many times in my entire life as faster riders caught and passed us. I was somewhat demoralized by it all and resorted to mental distractions to keep myself sane. I began to wonder what the good Sister’s bike might look like. Would she have all the high-tech gear we had or might the church limit some of her accessories because of gender associations? Would she have to ride a girl’s bike for example? I remember the church being a stickler in that area. And, might she have a plastic Jesus on her handlebars? This train of thought went on for 50 plus miles - with the exception of a few position exchanges involving other 60 year-olds and the 45 plus women that started before us and requiring my full attention. If she used holy water in her bottle would that be considered outside influence? Aaaah… finally the bike was over. The split was good for me (2:44) and I thought I was on track for my goal of 5:20 something.
Three months later.
We arrived in Clearwater, Florida on the evening of November 5th two full days before the race. The Hilton was the epicenter - it was filled with other athletes and electric with excitement. I was exhilarated to be there and couldn’t wait to see the course and beach.
Next morning was swim practice. The swim course was already laid out and many of the competitors were practicing their technique for running into the water, swimming and giving interviews. I met up with our friend and 2007 pro home stay, Canadian Cynthia Wilson. It’s amazing to be among so many incredible athletes. For the first time I realized these people are some of the best in the world, and I get to play with them! More of the hype included cycling the area with other competitors, a welcome dinner, a brief run and finally the transition setup on Friday.
The transition setup wasn’t the standard “find your spot and lay out your stuff “. There was a very pleasant and informative volunteer to help us through the maze of bike and bag placements (blue bag for bike and red for run). There was also a changing tent, with chairs (us older guys appreciate that) we all had to run through during each transition.
The next morning Cris and I were ready at the start area as the Color Guard played the anthem, TV helicopters flew overhead and nervous pros swung their arms and bounced anxiously at the start line.
Within 15 minutes I’d finished my swinging and bouncing too, was in the water and found a great spot near the front on the inside near the course buoys. While swimming I remembered one of the athletes was 78 year-old Sister Madonna Buder in the wave in front of me. Was it bad juju to pass the nun? In 32 minutes I was out of the water, into the change tent then on the bike.
One of the pre-race descriptors was the 12% grade on Memorial Bridge leading out of Clearwater. It really didn’t look anywhere near that steep and I was able to climb it in my big ring (I know I’m a masher but… it was a great deal like climbing Roblar Road). Another legend about Clearwater is the notorious drafting that goes on among competitors. Some of that is certainly true. I was passed by groups of 10 or more riders several times but I also saw 10 or more people in the penalty tent.
To minimize the amount of time the race would affect the good citizens of Clearwater the waves were arranged (with the exception of the pros) from oldest to youngest or perhaps more importantly, from slowest to fastest.
I have never been passed so many times in my entire life as faster riders caught and passed us. I was somewhat demoralized by it all and resorted to mental distractions to keep myself sane. I began to wonder what the good Sister’s bike might look like. Would she have all the high-tech gear we had or might the church limit some of her accessories because of gender associations? Would she have to ride a girl’s bike for example? I remember the church being a stickler in that area. And, might she have a plastic Jesus on her handlebars? This train of thought went on for 50 plus miles - with the exception of a few position exchanges involving other 60 year-olds and the 45 plus women that started before us and requiring my full attention. If she used holy water in her bottle would that be considered outside influence? Aaaah… finally the bike was over. The split was good for me (2:44) and I thought I was on track for my goal of 5:20 something.
The run’s a double out and back that includes the ever-steeper (it was at least 12% now) Memorial Bridge in both directions before returning to the start finish. My run paradigm was to start slow and build using the last bridge downhill as momentum for a strong finish. The second lap was harder than expected so I changed plans; I ditched my signature water bottle and used the aid stations for water, Gatorade and sponges. It wasn’t terribly hot (80’s) but the humidity was greater than I was accustomed to so I felt overheated and pouring water on my head and using sponges helped keep me cooler.
During the end of the second lap I found myself catching a fellow that could be in my age group (gray hair and shuffle). With about a mile to go and 100 yards back I thought the best strategy was to time my pass toward the end of the run and eliminate the chance of him passing me back in the shoot. This fellow had some left for the finish and kept increasing his speed too. As the finish line approached he still had a 5-yard lead and I realized it was now or never if I was going to catch him.
The finish announcer recognized our bib number sequence and began shouting our names declaring the 60 year olds as the new 40s as we both sprinted for the finish. The truth be known, I have no fast-twitch muscles so in spite of expending every bit of energy I couldn’t close the gap. I finished in 5:25, the time I had expected and in 8th place, all I had hoped for.
Another Clearwater plus was post-race pizza (my favorite food group). I remember heeding the words of Miss Piggy “Never eat more than you can lift”, but the food was so good and at the time would have given it 5 stars.
Day dreaming again as I walked to our hotel: I thought of the first time I met Madonna Buder. We were running the Avenue of the Giants Marathon in Weott, California in the 80s. Back then she was known as the Flying Nun – in her mid 50s she was beating men and women half her age. I remember running alongside her for a few miles and being so impressed with her charm and ability.
It’s wonderful and inspiring to see people like her and others like Team Hoyt – the father and son combo (Rick has cerebral palsy and is pushed throughout events by his father Dick) having completed nearly 1000 races of various distances (including this one in Clearwater) still participating and enjoying themselves. Dick said they had two flats but still had a good time.
The professionals that receive much of the spotlight and glory are certainly magnificent to watch and inspirational in their form and ability but individuals like Madonna Buder and Dick and Rick Hoyt are in a class all by themselves, they are the ones we all look up to. Hats off to them!
Special thanks to the TTE group for some great training rides and support, Phil for his companionship and honesty, Dave for his guidance and patience and Cris for her understanding and confidence that I could do anything I set my mind to.
The experience will last a lifetime - providing I buy the video as a memory refresher.
Ocho -- aka "Tom Tom"
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