Another fantastic weekend...

What a great weekend. I traveled with my husband, and brother-in-law, Mike to Tahoe this weekend so they could participate in the XTerra Nationals Race. It's an off-road, adventure triathlon. We got there Friday afternoon around 1:00 pm and it was very windy and cold. The sun was out and clouds were coming in. The guys had to register for their event and then around 3:00 pm there was a briefing for all athletes about details and changes of the race. There was also a swimming workshop with a couple elite athletes talking with the crowd. It was fun and I learned a few tips to use in my own training. They informed all that a weather front was coming into the night and there may be 3 inches of snow. You hear it, but never think it's going to happen. After the workshop we walk to the shore to scan the swim course and there's waves, which seemed, about 10 feet tall and 5 seconds between them. In other words it was very ROUGH! We decide to head out to our hotel and check-in. We find a great room and then go to dinner to carbo-load up!! We eat at a great local Italian restaurant. We have bread, pasta alfredo with chicken and a huge salad. The guys eat up as do I (well I am doing a 5K as well, better carb up!!) We head back to the room and turn in around 9:30 pm.

We wake the next morning around 5:40 am and Mike looks out the window and exclaims "Oh my *#&^^ gosh, there's snow!" I was cracking up (only because I was relieved I wasn't doing this race), but then my heart went out to them, because it was going to be miserable at first thought. We get ready and head to the race course. We stop at a 7-eleven to get garbage bags, so they can set gear on top and put some in bags if need be. It's 23 degrees outside, as we travel to the course, the number dips down to 18 degrees! OMG...! As we park, no one wants to get out of the car! It's to dang cold! We get out, my ears are soo cold, I can't feel them. We have to walk carefully due to black ice in spots. I'm glad I brought my gloves and a funky knit hat, but doesn't keep my ears cold. All I'm thinking about is getting to the course, I know there were knit caps there for sale, I'm buying one. While the guys are getting body marked, I sneak off to buy a hat to cover my frozen ears. I find one, it's the last one-it's mine!!

They then set up all their gear for transitioning, that was fun and another personal story!! Then we go to the closest hotel and sit inside on one of the many couches placed everywhere in the lobby. It's so warm, we thaw out and talk and meet people. Race time nears, after an hour we head back out so they can get wetsuits on. The sun finally peaks over the white-capped mountain and everyone is thanking goodness, there's a sun and no clouds anywhere. The race starts at 9:00 am and everything goes smoothly. The lake is cold, everyone's feet and hands are cold, but everyone is racing. It was so much fun to watch athlete's and give words of encouragement along the way. It inspired me to want to do the race, but I knew better. A very adventurous race, a hard bike course. Well, the guys do well. My husband comes in fourth, 7 minutes behind the 3rd, and Mike does well, with a 1st place in his clydesdale division. He gets a medal. And as for me I ran the 5K and got 1st place in my age group as well, got a nice running hat and a medal. On the way home we all talk about the race and people. It was just the best, sitting out in the grass area having an athlete BBQ lunch with the sun warming you up and nice people all around. Another memorable time. Makes me want to train now...until next time, have a great week and get out there and move.
Luv Loni