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Mission in Motion Cycling Team News

Cayuga Lake Triathlon has become one of the premier triathlons in central New York. Athletes begin the race with a swim in one of the crown jewels of the region, the delightfully cool waters of Cayuga Lake, then bike along scenic rolling hills which reveal spectacular views of the lake, finishing the race with a run near the lake shore, through the shaded and magnificent gorge trail to the Park’s namesake, Taughannock Falls. 

2009 Cayuga Lake Triathlon Options:

Now that I have some background information out of the way on to my experience at the Intermediate (Olympic length) Cayuga Lake Triathlon.  The longest triathlon I have done - as I have previously only done Sprint Triathlons.  The weather was foreboding as I drove to Taughannock Falls with rain, thunder and yes even lightening.  Thoughts going through my head - Would the race be canceled?  Why do I do these things?  O I am so nervous!!  But  once I got to the park there was just a light steady rain.  I picked up my race packet, got all markered up - now with the age 30 boldly written on my calf muscle and went to my car to get all my gear to the transition area.  Gasp - much to my alarm as I went to retrieve my bike from the car - the rear tire was flat!!  Oh no - there was air in it the night before when I put my beloved bike into the car. 

This year I was in luck though - the tire went flat before the race, the perfect time (only second to just after the race - that was when I got a flat last year at the Broome Tri as I was getting ready to put my bike in the car psss - flat) and the mechanic took care of it all for me while I got the rest of my things set out in the transition area.  Much better than getting a flat during the race!  What a marvelous man:D  I thanked him multiple times. 

I walked around nervously before the race, visited with friends and tried to calm my nerves.

Then I headed to the lake to do a warm up swim.  The lake instead of being a shimmering blue, was wavy, dark and chilly.  Good thing I have been doing an open water swim weekly!

O no!!  Next they were corraling my wave of silver caps to get started with the race.  I was suctioning and resuctioning my goggles to be sure that I had a great seal for the 1 mile swim I had ahead of me.  Then I stood there shivering, wondering why warm up at all, waiting for them to sound off for me to start my swim.  Then came our signal to start.  And off I went, managing to quickly get out of the crowd of swimmers and swimming along the line or orange buoys - gulping some water but mostly able to use good form despite the waves.  OK here it was the green buoy - 1/4 way through my swim.  Still feeling good.  Next the yellow marking my 1/2 mile point - hooray for the turn around!  I was even managing to catch up with some blue caps who had started in the wave before me - trying not to be disheartened as a single pink cap that passed me - wow what a swimmer she is - she had started in the wave behind me.   1 mile point swim over! 

Off come the goggles and cap.  Now out of the water trying to run, shake the water out of my ears and get out of my wetsuit - o where is that zipper.  I get back to the transition area and easily find my bike since experience has now taught me to count out the rows so I can find my things.  Into my socks, bike shoes, helmet and riding glasses - off running with my bike to the mount zone.  Clip in and pedal hard.  Fantastic no flat tire.  Please behave for the ride bike!! 

Good thing I have had so much practice riding in the rain with TVC - there was still a steady rain coming down.  And all the hills at ESG and several of the other races this year made rolling hills no concern for me.  Thanks to all of you who motivate me to ride so much this year - turns out biking was the best leg of my race.  I was able to pick off many riders.  Only one woman passed me while I was out on the bike course - I passed her back but that must have spurred her on 'cause there she went again and I did not catch her again - several men passed but what do they count;^D  Turns out I had the 6th best female time on the bike, 2nd in my female age group!!

Now the run - yes I did remember to take my helmet off.  Dreaded run my least competitive leg of the race.  Go feet go!!  O side stitch - and then there are some of my Finger Lakes Runners Club group members cheering me on.  Thanks for the motivation there.  O there is Dave Jones (Chris's dad) - running with way speedier feet then me!  I beat him out of the water and off the bike but the realization is there that he will catch me in yet another triathlon on the run.  5 K down - O half way there I turn around for the second loop, getting a second wind.  Back around past the falls for a second look at their beauty and no I couldn't resist a smile for the camera guy.   O no here comes Dave Jones passing me - I can't keep up wit his fast feet at a pace of 7:45 for the run. And I can see my friend Shelly is gaining on me on the run too! 

There is Delana about 1/4 the way through the run in her first Sprint triathlon.  You go girl!!  

Now Karen to cheer me on some more!  I yell - I knew that Dave Jones would catch me on the run.  She yells back - "Go get him!"  Which spurs me on and I pick up my pace for awhile.  But I am no match for him running - I loose sight of him. 

Sweet - less than a mile to go!!  Run harder!  I can see the finish line and hear the crowd cheering - give it all I have.  My heart rate monitor is beeping away - I am above 185 - keep pushing.  Look there is a 36 year old man - I have to push past him!!  Got him! :^D  Made it - finish line - time 2:55:14.  Under my expected 3hrs!!  Victory.  I am now an Olympic Triathlete.

Water please!!

And in comes Delana finishing with a run pace of 08:35 what a strong finish for her first triathlon.

Ahhh - a massage.  And then a happy dance as Delana and I realize we have both placed in our age groups to win medals.  And both of us are 6th fastest female bike times in our respective races.  Thanks TVC/MIM for helping us to develop our bike skills - and we had the best race jerseys to be seen!!

The rain cleared for the awards and I enjoyed some Purity ice cream. 

Jane Miller does an excellent job as a race director and I was thankful all the volunteer's hard work.  I highly recommend this triathlon - what a great experience even in the rain!  Looking forward to my next race:^D

If you want to check out the results: http://score-this.com/results.html

Congratulations to Delana Spaulding, Karla Eisch who did the Sprint Triathlon and Richard Litzel, Dave Jones, Shelly Marino who did the Intermediate/Olympic Triathlon.

Smiles,

Heather