Ferrell's favorite summer race. So of course, I always tru to schedule my summer to include it as well. Sometimes I can't, as I usually do a summer Astro 25 field course and if new moon interferes, oh well. But 2019 worked out. I really do enjoy the race itself; the swim is my strongest, and the bike course is challenging and beautiful. The only downer is the run, which I always find more grueling than just about any other race.The hard asphalt on my left hip psoas, at elevation, seems to make the run just a parade of pain that I can't wait to get behind me. It's an expensive race, too, added on to the cost of the cabin for 2 nights - so often I look for ways to cut costs. This year I lucked out; Timing for the race was by Buzz's company, and he gave me a number for the AquaThon (swim + 10K Run).

 

The Ritual of setting up the bike, the race bag, the transition plans... part of the fun of a Triathlon

Watching the Tour de France on the "Big Screen" (ie an iPhone 6), thanks to the unconnected TV

Our view from the deck, pre-dawn

We're off to the race start

Before the swim start, Ferrell still not in his wetsuit

Rick and Buzz

My swim went well, fitness-wise. But I usually have a bit of trouble at Donner getting the first triangle leg right, as you're swimming straight into the rising sun. Also, the instructions I seemed to get wrong for this, my first Aqua-Thon here, and I ended up swimming the 1.2 mile course, not the 1.5K course. I put in a good time! (for a 1.2 mile, at age 66). Luckily, my age group wasn't packed, and I still managed to get some hardware.

At this point in the run, about mile 2, I feel good!

And not too bad here at the far side of the lake, going through the campground's north side

Now, my left psoas is really complaining.

I dreaded "The Hill"

The last 3 miles are really painful. Only a couple hundred yards to go here at the creek bridge

Done!

Finished!

With enough time to spare to photo Ferrell coming in on the Bike

Saving time on the run by skipping the socks

Hammering a wad of some sort of calorie thing here; I couldn't tell what

Geoff had another good race, beating Ferrell to the finish line

Jamie and Kim came to the finish

Ferrell came in a few minutes later

Food! Always good for a smile at this point

Swapping stories before we had over for our BBQ and beer

We all took home some awards. Nice!

This sign about sums up my feeling about the run, and I see I wasn't alone

Geoff had a great race, and took 2nd place

I took 3rd in the Aquathon

Swell beer glasses are our rewards

Fun weekend (except for the last 2 miles of the run), and we'll be back next year.