Triple T 2007
By Andy Pele
Wow, what a weekend!! For those of you mostly curious about results, everyone from Columbia got 2nd place. Joe and Nate for senior male teams, Jerry Donahue for solo grand master men, and me for solo masters. Jerry deserves high praise for going out there and tackling 4 races in about 48 hours, including 2 Olympic distance races on the same day and a half ironman the next day to cap it all off. All of this having only raced 2 tris before, and nothing as long as an Olympic race. Incredible!!
Bruce Genari and teammate Craig Evans put on another great performance, eking out their 5th win in a row at this race, by a mere 16 seconds. By Sunday’s half they had built up such a lead that they even let me beat them in the half. I’m sure they were tired.
Joe Company nailed the prologue with the 5th fastest time overall in a mini sprint. The swim was 250 meters (longer actually), the bike was 5 miles (a pretty steep climb for about 1 mile) and the run was just a mile. He’s supposed to be an iron distance athlete but he fooled everybody Friday evening. Congrats Joe! Nate had his own cheering section. Everyone seemed to know him and wish him well all weekend while he raced. Who doesn’t like Crazy Nate!! What a fun guy to travel with!
The courses were tough!! Dirt forest road for the run, lots of climbing in the 25 cog on the bike courses, and long swim courses. Descents were technical and fast but as long as you were reasonably cautious you could avoid the road rash and facial stitches we were able to witness in less wise competitors. Even the run course had some tricky footing for those who don’t trail run regularly. I should have worn shoes with better sole protection than racing flats because the bottom of my feet were sore after 26 miles of that road. At the least the water was an awesome 72 degrees. This lake was beautiful to swim in, surrounded by trees. However the race directors decided to make it evil too by throwing us into it AFTER pounding out 24 miles of tough riding during the 3rd race. I know it sounds great, giving your legs a rest and chilling your body temperature before the run, but so many people had leg cramps during that swim, including me.
Though it sounds like a torture fest, I loved this race and can’t wait to go back. You don’t have to be a glutton for punishment, just ask Jerry and witness his smiles all weekend. Even during the half ironman, I was able to enjoy the longest most brutal climb of the weekend by ogling the scenery. And before leaving we got to enjoy hiking (slowly) along the nature trails in the park. You get to hang out with a bunch of other tri geeks, make new friends, enjoy grilling at the cabin and relaxing in the screened in porch that juts right into the trees of this beautiful Ohio state park. The hardiest like Jerry could car camp whereas those seeking more luxury would probably love the rustic and beautiful resort. But I think staying in the cabins gives you the best options. You can still lounge in the resort’s pool and hot tub and then sit around a cozy communal campfire, complete with porch swings.
Joe and Nate and I were lucky to have Amy, Nicole, and Vida along for the fun. Vida hiked plenty, Amy ran, and they all enjoyed the water. They were patient enough to support and encourage us, take pictures, and endure the downtime as we tried to recover between races. When not recovering, we made multiple trips to the Buckeye Dairy Bar just a few miles away for banana splits, hot fudge sundaes, footers (foot long hot dogs with chili if you want), fried mushrooms and cheddar balls, and an awesome Italian sub.
All that was missing was more CMCers. Who’s in for next year??
Andy