Luray Triathlon

Without a doubt, this is still a 5 star race and highly recommended.
This year, we did the international distance and I’ll be damnned that giant hill was still a part of the bike course! That thing is a beast. The weather this year started a little cool but quickly warmed up once the sun flirted with us (it would come out, hide, come out, hide, etc.). The other thing that was different this year was the wind. Dang it it was a killer on the flat, open roads!
One thing that remained unchanged from last year? The eye candy. Oh lawd. If you like to look at boys, there are –hundreds– of them with no shirts on. All you can do is stare at their puffed up, chiseled muscles and be motivated to get movin!
Congratulations to Ms. Alicia C. and Michelle P. for coming out and doing a fantastic job! It was Michelle’s first triathlon and I think she enjoyed it. We actually talked about doing another relay next year for the international and doing the sprint individually the next day! Can we get another Unilocal team out there??? Get some, Unilocalers!!!
Ahh, Luray… I may not be fast on the bike, but I sure do have a lot of fun and get it done.
Awesome. Awesome. Awesome.

Who would have ever thought I’d participate in a triathlon? Not me! But thank you Michele D for suggesting a Unilocal relay triathlon team! I think this was definitely a good way to get a taste of what the triathlon experience is like, without being fully overwhelmed by the need to master all three of the events.
I started us off in the swimming portion of events, Michele followed on the bike, and Kevin L finished strong in the running portion. Major props to my teammates, you did a fantastic job! The day brought back memories of being part of sports teams throughout high school and college… the rush of adrenaline and the competitive spirit! And thank you Alicia G. for being there to photo-​document it all and cheer us on!
As far as the race and race site goes, I don’t think we could have asked for a more scenic location. That combined with the beautiful sunny day, the crowds of supportive bystanders, and adrenaline rush made for an exciting day to remember.
It is a great feeling to be able to say I participate in a triathlon, and who knows, maybe one day I’ll work up to doing a full one on my own. But in the more short-​term… Team Unilocal part 2 in 2010? Come on, you know you want to!

In life there are those who do and those who watch. In the case of a triathlon, I have to admit, I much prefer to do the watching moreso than doing.
On a last minute whim, I hitched a ride with the 3 Unilocalateers very early on a Sunday morning out to Luray to watch and photograph them participate in the triathlon relay. The park was very organized and clearly marked for where participants needed to check in and set up. There were tents for check-​in, time chip pick-​up, food for athletes, and other tents from sponsors.
The race starts down at the lake with waves of different colored caps kicking off every couple minutes. While Alicia C swam, Kevin L and I stood/​sat on the hill where the swimmers have to passby to the transition area where all of the bikes are. We all cheered for everyone who ran by because let’s face it — if you’ve just swam around a lake and are running up a hill, you want people to cheer for you! I can only imagine how much more encouraged the athletes felt when we clapped, cheered, hooted and hollered at them!
And as if you needed more reason to come and cheer on friends/​relatives participating, I tell you that you that there’s no better motivation than to see swimmers with incredible forearms and abs run up these stairs and passby. Serious eye treats. A certain Unilocaler and I couldn’t stop commenting all day.
Though I wasn’t participating, you could feel the camraderie spirit all over. It was a race but you really didn’t feel like there was a clear winner or loser. It was just great to see everyone finish and be there to cheer, clap and ring ridiculously loud cowbells. I recall seeing the very last 2 people finish together so it wasn’t just one person who was last. We definitely hooted and hollered for them!
I’m not sure that I could ever participate as a racer in a triathlon (and thinking about it kind of makes my back hurt) but I’m everso happy to tag along, shoot some photos and cheer on the athletes! I’m proud of our Unilocal Team and will be there if they do it again next year!

Thanks to Michele D for suggesting the idea and to Alicia C for offering to team up with us and take on the daunting swim portion of the course. Doing a triathlon relay is so not my typical idea of fun, but I had an absolutely amazing time after all!
Considering the number of participants in this race, everything was superbly organized and supported by the staff of volunteers. Communications on race logistics, travel details, and scheduling were made readily available and blasted out accordingly. Plus, how could I possibly complain about the amazing outdoor venue of Lake Arrowhead Park and the beautiful weather that we lucked out with?
Although it was extremely busy, arriving at the park and finding parking via direction of the volunteer staff was super easy. Similarly, lines were pretty clearly set up for checking in to the race by name. A separate relay team line was in place, and although it took a little bit of asking around, we eventually sorted it all out. Once our race packets were picked up and we got body marked (Team 639, baby!) I wandered off to pick up our timing chip, which was another painless process. I don’t even think I exchanged words with the staff handing those out; I just held up my runner’s bib and they handed everything I needed over to me.
Race starts were impeccably on time — with the swim course starting promptly at 0900, and waves kicking off every two minutes. It makes sense that it was all choreographed with precision, considering many people were actually racing to win, as opposed to our team, which was racing to simply finish. Regardless, the efficiency and accuracy of organization completely impressed me.
And finally, the camaraderie exhibited by the race participants and bystanders alike was really heartwarming and motivating. Everyone wants everyone to succeed. This is a sport where there don’t seem to be winners or losers; everyone that crosses each event’s finish line is greeted with cheers, applause, and cowbells. My arms were tired by the end of just the swim leg of the race from clapping and cheering on random strangers. And I get it — it’s hard. A single leg is hard. I can’t even begin to imagine how folks manage to do all three! Now –that’s– inspiration.
So today, I’m sore. I’m still a little tired. But we made it. And y’know what? I’d totally do it again. Who’s up for The Three Unilocalateers Team #2?