Here it is Wednesday and I am just now starting to feel back to normal after our team trip to Show Low AZ for the Deuces Wild Triathlon Festival. It is a long drive to Show Low...about 11.5 hours if you take it really seriously and don't stop much. We didn't take it seriously, hard to with 4 adults (3 of which are on top of their hydration), an 11 year old and a 4 year old. We made great time to Trinidad, CO, where the spark plug wire on my van goes out. We were lucky enough to find a good shop that fixed it for us, without price gouging us. It was a solid three hour delay, but I did get a glass bottle of Coke from an old fashioned vending machine (thanks Mike) and also accused by a toothless patron at the gas station next door of being a lesbian (Lisa and I looked "tight" I guess) Back on the road for the rest of the drive. Pulled into Show Low after 1:00am and little bit worn, but grateful to be off the road.
It was quite unlike us to show up for a race with only one day before the big day, and it showed. Craig has quite a detailed list of things to do before race day, including transition workouts, walking the transition area, swimming on the swim course, driving the course, pre race meeting, registration, bike and race prep, eating spaghetti and getting a good night sleep. It is just a lot to fit into one day. I'm not sure how we got it all in, but we did. I cooked spaghetti and meatballs for dinner and we had everyone over. By the way, everyone is...Amy, Amanda, Thea, Jessica, Matt, Mike, Lisa and Craig.
Race morning. It was a beautiful clear morning at Fools Hollow Lake. I had Grable and Lisa's boy Tommy hanging with me during the race. We got everyone off and then found a great spot to watch everyone near the transition area. Everyone looked really great off the bike and onto the run. We had to head up to the finish to see Craig in. He did great, finishing in 2nd place overall. Everyone finished up as well if not better than they had expected, so we were all in a good way. We hung for a while waiting for awards. Craig 2nd overall, Thea 3rd overall, Amy 3rd in her age group. Lots of PR's and Matt's first tri ever.
We went to the worlds best triathlon raffle. As a whole we did pretty well, I got a pair of bike shoes and pedals...yeah! Then it was off to the Mexican restaurant for Margs, brews and other mexican fare. It was great to celebrate with everyone.
The return trip was brutal! I think it was just a bit too much to fit into a short time. As Mike referenced in his blog...both Micky D's and Pizza Hut for food on the way home. We tried to find other options, but in vain. Not too many options in some of those small towns. Anyhow we made it back to our place just shy of midnight. Nice to be back home, to say the least. Even though it was a crazy trip, I can't wait until next year!
This race is important to us for a number of reasons. 1st it is hosted by TriSports.com who has been Craig's best sponsor over the years. Secondly it is kind of a pilgrimage we take every year to honor Rocky. Craig's best friend and college roommate, Rocky died of cancer two years ago while we were at our first Deuces Wild Race. Craig raced his heart out for Rocky that day and has honored Rocky at every race since. I can hardly believe that it has been two years since he left this world and at times it feels like just yesterday that we heard the news. When we did Ironman in 2006 we all wore shirts saying "This One's for You Rocky" and you know what, in some way, they will always be for him. We miss you Rock and hope that we are making you proud.
Every year we have HEPsters with us the Deuces Wild. The first year it was BJ, Fiona, and Amy. Last year we added Jess and Thea. This year even more great friends. It got me to thinking that every year we do this race we have been blessed with even more great friends. I hope to have those who have been here all along as well as some new friends with us next year. Thanks to all of you amazing HEPsters and dear friends who have made doing what we do so very worth it. We are more blessed with true friendship than we had ever imagined. And for that this crazy ass road trip is totally worth it:)
It was quite unlike us to show up for a race with only one day before the big day, and it showed. Craig has quite a detailed list of things to do before race day, including transition workouts, walking the transition area, swimming on the swim course, driving the course, pre race meeting, registration, bike and race prep, eating spaghetti and getting a good night sleep. It is just a lot to fit into one day. I'm not sure how we got it all in, but we did. I cooked spaghetti and meatballs for dinner and we had everyone over. By the way, everyone is...Amy, Amanda, Thea, Jessica, Matt, Mike, Lisa and Craig.
Race morning. It was a beautiful clear morning at Fools Hollow Lake. I had Grable and Lisa's boy Tommy hanging with me during the race. We got everyone off and then found a great spot to watch everyone near the transition area. Everyone looked really great off the bike and onto the run. We had to head up to the finish to see Craig in. He did great, finishing in 2nd place overall. Everyone finished up as well if not better than they had expected, so we were all in a good way. We hung for a while waiting for awards. Craig 2nd overall, Thea 3rd overall, Amy 3rd in her age group. Lots of PR's and Matt's first tri ever.
We went to the worlds best triathlon raffle. As a whole we did pretty well, I got a pair of bike shoes and pedals...yeah! Then it was off to the Mexican restaurant for Margs, brews and other mexican fare. It was great to celebrate with everyone.
The return trip was brutal! I think it was just a bit too much to fit into a short time. As Mike referenced in his blog...both Micky D's and Pizza Hut for food on the way home. We tried to find other options, but in vain. Not too many options in some of those small towns. Anyhow we made it back to our place just shy of midnight. Nice to be back home, to say the least. Even though it was a crazy trip, I can't wait until next year!
This race is important to us for a number of reasons. 1st it is hosted by TriSports.com who has been Craig's best sponsor over the years. Secondly it is kind of a pilgrimage we take every year to honor Rocky. Craig's best friend and college roommate, Rocky died of cancer two years ago while we were at our first Deuces Wild Race. Craig raced his heart out for Rocky that day and has honored Rocky at every race since. I can hardly believe that it has been two years since he left this world and at times it feels like just yesterday that we heard the news. When we did Ironman in 2006 we all wore shirts saying "This One's for You Rocky" and you know what, in some way, they will always be for him. We miss you Rock and hope that we are making you proud.
Every year we have HEPsters with us the Deuces Wild. The first year it was BJ, Fiona, and Amy. Last year we added Jess and Thea. This year even more great friends. It got me to thinking that every year we do this race we have been blessed with even more great friends. I hope to have those who have been here all along as well as some new friends with us next year. Thanks to all of you amazing HEPsters and dear friends who have made doing what we do so very worth it. We are more blessed with true friendship than we had ever imagined. And for that this crazy ass road trip is totally worth it:)
