Do you
have a story about last years Triathlon that you would like to share? Please
share it with us!
Jennifer Peterson
jenpeterson@CityofSunprairie.com
September, 2007
This
was my second year participating in the Waupaca Triathlon and I just wanted to
take a minute to say thank you - for all the great volunteers, the sponsors for
their support, and for everyone involved in making it a very organized event.
It was an enjoyable day and I look forward to this triathlon every year.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
lyman3@charter.net
September, 2007
I came in 16th.....
....from dead last in the men's
division.
My Overall time: 2hours, 18 Minutes, 9 Seconds.
The weather was cool (even
autumnal) but the water was warm.
At 7 am: I was so nervous at the start I thought my
legs were going to give out. To avoid the nerves I helped people with
their wetsuits and wished many around me a good race. I also contemplated the men who stormed the
Beaches of Normandy and Tarawa etc. (I found perspective in that.)
I left in the 14th heat (groups of 50 released every 2 minutes.)
I did OK on the swimming leg. While I did have
to breast stroke to get breath and bearings a few times (murky open water is
tough), I never rested on the life guard surf boards along the way as I saw
many others doing. I also went without the wet suits that provide extra
buoyancy to swimmers. I did not experience the foul play that I
have heard many rumors of. My strategy was to stay away from the lane
marker and to the outside. I figured I would run into less interference
and have less of a chance of killing some foul player who thought he was going
to try to grab my ankle or dunk me or something. (Psychologically, I was
prepared to “deal” with anyone who thought they were going to cheat me or play
rough!) I was treated with nothing but courtesy as I encountered other
swimmers.
The run up the sandy hill to the first transition was
the only time I wondered if I could actually finish the race. After
brushing the sand off my feet, getting my shoes on, and strapping on my helmet;
I was off! The swimming to biking transition was easy (as they use very
different muscle groups.)
I was probably one of the select few (less than 10
competitors?) who used a mountain bike to ride the 20 mile road course. A
lot of other competitors commented on what a tough ride I was in for –others
laughed.....as they passed me. I averaged 15.5 miles/hr despite the hum
of my knobby tires. (I might have been the ONLY athlete stupid enough to
use knobbies!) I took advantage of the down
hills (passing many who used it as an opportunity to "dog-it") and I stood to pedal hard up the grueling ¾ mile
hills (passing many who were too mentally fragile to battle a hill standing in
the way of their dream). I was frequently passed in the flats. On
my Schwinn Homegrown, I was easy prey. My belly
full of Pedialite threatened to turn inside out on me
at least a few times. I managed to keep it down despite my inability to
get enough air through my constricted throat. I found the country and the
scenery irresistible and found cause to contemplate where I was and what I was
actually in the process of doing.
Getting your legs and stride under you after riding so
hard seemed nearly impossible. I almost tumbled as I dismounted and
racked my bike. My approach to the chute was the first time I used the
brakes during the whole 20+ miles.
Leaving the running chute, I struggled to use all of
my stride and felt as if I was taking 18" steps out of
transition.
About ¾ mile into running, I
felt a hamstring cramp developing in my left leg. (I thought for sure it
would cramp.) This was a tough mental obstacle to overcome. Vets of triathaloning told me (after the race) that it's a matter
of relaxation –like Zen Buddhism or something. I ran the entire remaining
portion of the course with that twinge in my leg. It never cramped.
The course snaked through town quite a lot. There were many corners to
round. As I came around corners and could see a half mile in front of me;
it was sometimes a mental shot. After having come so far, however, I
found it easier to keep mentally positive and “unstoppable.”
Arriving in the final stretch of the course with about ¾ of a mile and many
observers on the sides (including athletes who already finished) was such a
rush. I had to fight the urge to cry every step of that final
stretch. I didn't have much left for a powerful sprint to the end, though I found enough to lengthen my stride and carry
my head a bit higher as I choked back the tears.
The finish line, for me, was glorious! As the
announcer called my number and my name, I sobbed like a child (no kidding….I
think I understand how Olympians feel as their medals are presented)!
The satisfaction I feel, having chased down this dream
goes, in many ways, beyond explanation. In 1997, in a work related
accident, I tore the cartilage in one of my knees. The Dr. took 30% of it
out. In 2003, I completely tore my Achilles' tendon playing catch with a
softball. It was a freakish injury that was, no doubt, the result of
cumulative sleep deprivation, and malnourishment associated with going to
college and working full-time for three years. I spent that whole summer
on crutches and the following year rehabbing that leg and walking with a limp.
It was a long time before I could bring myself to bike or run on it
again. I can still, sometimes, feel the effects of the injury. My
point in this is that at the ripe old age of 23, I was pretty convinced that I
would never be much of an athlete again. In 2003 at the age of 29, I felt
like you might as well throw the 60 pound of fat on me and get my coffin
ready! It was last year, about this time, encouraged by my wife's aunt,
that I took a look at the results of the 2006 event. It was then that I realized
that 7 of the top 10 finishers were older than me. I tried running again
in the fall of last year and was surprised at my capabilities and
progress. It was for New Year's that I finally convinced myself that I
might be able to make some kind of a "come back" and that Waupaca
would be the best platform for it.
The question that many people have asked me –the
question that seems to come up often in causal conversation is: "Why would
you want to do that to yourself….it just doesn't make sense to me."
So what did I get out of this event? Let me explain to you, if I can, the nature of one of my most personal triumphs.
August 18th, 2007 is the day I took my body
back from a mind that had written it off. Mine is now a blank slate and I
will never forget that urge to weep in Waupaca’s final stretch. Nor will I forget the citizens who lined the
streets and offered encouragement, support, and “Eye of the Tiger.” Most of all, I will never forget that sulking
moment at the finish line when so many personal demons lay vanquished and I
stood upon their heaped carrion bodies.
16th from dead last.
VICTORIOUS!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Bryan Dhein
September, 2007
This is Bryan Dhein. I'm a 2000
When a first time triathlete takes on a race like the Waupaca triathlon, the
person really learns respect for the water, land and the city streets of
Waupaca. Having the whole course
completed not only builds confidence but respect from the locals, family
members and relatives.
I only wish to see more of
the locals next year at the race and competing.
It took a little willpower and work to do the race but it's totally well
worth it. Inside of every individual is an athlete that has some skill at one
of the triathlon legs whether it's swimming, biking or running. A person doesn't even have to do all the
events either. They can get a team and
compete too. It's not just an individual
sport. Plus you get to talk to all
different walks of life there also.
The Waupaca triathlon draws
600-700 athletes from all over
Waupaca's triathlon is my
personal favorite because it comes with all the extra options. First of all they got that announcer that
explains everything to the fans of what's going on. Secondly, a person will never stray off
course with all the road and street markings and not to mention all the
on-the-ball volunteers that stop the traffic to let the racers follow
through. There are also law enforcement
officials and paramedics on hand for anything that might happen out of the
ordinary. The swim course has rest areas
in case if the individual gets a cramp or is too tired to keep swimming. I could go on and on about this very event.
My favorite leg of the race
is the bike because it reminds me when I was in the 15-18 age days when I'd go
riding or running past this girl's house that I thought I was soo in love with.
Plus I just like banging through the gears because it's an old hometown
thing and anything that has wheels and produces power is a sure thing that any
man needs in his life.
Ever since the Waupaca
triathlon in 06' I've competed in over 13 and counting since.
________________________________________________________________________________________________
A Triathlete’s
Story
September, 2006
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ben Mueller
Btmueller16@aol.com
November 12, 2005
16:42:49
This triathlon brought on
many excellent triathletes and spectators. From the
Friday evening festivities to the closing ceremony, the weekend was fun filled
and rewarding. Volunteers did a superb job guiding athletes a long and the
course was scenic and well marked. Without a doubt I will be back next year.
Jim Flees
dflees@merr.com
August 21, 2005
16:28:15
This is the first time I
tried this triathlon and I was very impressed with the way it was organized. I
would also like to thank the volunteers that helped it run smooth.
Unfortunately I was unable to complete the swimming event which disqualified me
from the rest of the race, however I would like to thank the lifeguards Jackie
and Molly and the rest of the guards. I would like to thank Lois who was in
charge of the biking area. We talked for awhile she did a great job consoling
me. I plan on doing the triathlon again next year; however I will prepare
myself for the swimming. Would have loved to bike and run these are my strong
areas. The bike and running were well marked and looked to be a good time. Look
forward to seeing you next year.
Sincerely
Jim Flees
Trish Baker
Pbaker2@charter.net
August 21, 2005
07:28:43
After doing the Waupaca 203
Tri I wanted to write a letter to the local paper thanking the local people for
making this a great event…I forgot. This year, after doing the Tri again, I
have that same feeling. Even with the rain and clouds this was so much fun! I
hope that the Chamber will pass on to all the local folks that volunteered, that
cheered us on, and everyone who played music on the streets – those are the
things that make the Waupaca Are Tri my absolute favorite of all the Triathlons
in Wisconsin!