Parris Island Triathlon
March 30, 2002
(Part of the Palmetto State Triathlon Series)

Race report.

The night was dark and stormy, the moon was shining
bright, Jan and Jen said, Rob please tell us a story,
so the story began.

A grand display of early season triathletes turned out
to test their abilities at the Parris Island
Triathlon. The base was on security condition Bravo
so there was no race day registration. Everyone there
was serious and determined to place.

The start time was pushed back by one hour to
accommodate the vehicle checks through the guard gate.
Tracy and John's start times were at a nice
respectable time and raced with others at their
ability. Rob made the mistake of putting a much too
conservative time down for his swim and did not start
until well after 10:00am.

Rob was passing people by the second length of the
pool, even swimming under them when there was no other
way around in the 85 degree water of the largest
indoor pool most had even seen. Out of the water Rob
ran by several guards standing a watchful eye over the
controlled chaos, "Good Morning Sir, Looking Good Sir"
was heard. Then onto my faithful ride, Red Soya, for
a fast 13 miles around the base. During John's ride a
platoon of recruits briefly liberated the road from
the triathletes, but John deftly jumped onto the
sidewalk and averted a time killing stop.

John kept pushing it on the run and had finished with
another great time 1:08. While gasping for air and
drink to rehydrate, he and Tracy took their last bit
of strength to cheer on their comrade and author of
this story, who was in the transition area headed for
the run. Out to the turn around and back in, the
whole time not knowing your place in the race due to
the staggered start. Then finally to the finish line
was in sight. A last sprint and then the ceremonial
stopping of the wrist watch. 1:14:45.

There spirits were high during the awards ceremony,
John was victorious in getting the third place award
for his time in his age group. Rob did not place this
time, but came in fourth, a disappointing 36 seconds
off of third. Those 36 seconds will do much for Rob,
pushing him to train harder in the months to come.

And so our story ends, with our heros training for the next event, and Jan
and Jen fell fast asleep.