Monday, July 15, 2013

Mussel-Weekend

I'm still processing some race thoughts, but I do have some general things about the weekend for you :)

After my last post on Friday, I worked and then headed out of town to get the fun started. I rode out to Seneca Lake with a friend of mine since John left earlier that morning.

It was an afternoon of friends and fun at the MicroMussel Triathlon- a very short triathlon involving costumes and tricycles (or in our case....a moving dolly with a fake plane on it). John and Corey dressed up as Goose & Maverick from Top Gun, and had everyone laughing the entire time. Truly a great way to start the weekend off in a fun way!


Me and my Maverick- he's way better than Tom Cruise!
Saturday was the Mini-Mussel Triathlon (Sprint Distance). John and I were volunteering, and a few of our friends were competing. I spent the first part of the morning at the "mount line" yelling at athletes not to get on their bike until they were at or past the line. It was a great place to be as I got to see all my friends as they started the bike, and cheer for others as well. Once people started coming in from the bike, I moved over to the "dismount line" making sure everyone got off their bikes before the line. More yelling and cheering but I was having a great time, and again it was a great place to be so I could see everyone! Volunteering the day before my race was a great way to get inspiration and motivation, and to see logistics of race location!

My Job was making sure everyone go off their bikes before the line- I also made sure to yell "have a great run" to as many as possible. They thought it was a good idea to give me a megaphone(haha!), I used it for a few minutes but it was heavy to hold and I also helped people grab things they dropped at dismount (shoes, water bottles, bikes etc) so I was better off without it.

Being at the"dismount line" is where I first learned of "the accident". One of the faster cyclists to come in, asked me if I knew what the name was of the person injured on course. I said I did not know, and he sternly told me to find out: there was fear in his voice. My friends were standing near me and heard the whole thing, they ran to the volunteer tent to make sure they knew there was an accident on course. They knew- and it wasn't good. After that, many people were asking me questions about it as they dismounted their bike. They all had to ride past the accident site, seeing ambulances and crowds of people and blood. I can't even imagine how hard that would be to see, emotional and scary for sure. Then later on, the questions turned towards family members cheering near me "has so & so come in yet?"-- everyone was worried it was a friend or loved one. 

After I was done at my volunteer post I walked around talking to my friends who had finished, and spent some time helping at the volunteer tent. I had heard bits and pieces more about the accident, but nothing definitive. Everyone was on edge, it was like being in high school all over again- rumors were flying, the bad news was that it was actually as bad as everyone was saying.

 I actually left to go get some "me time" as my nerves were building for the race the next day. I went back to John's parents on the lake and practiced mounts/dismounts by myself before heading to packet pickup and the pre-race meeting. 
I got all my gear ready for the next day 
Saturday night was spent at the house with all of our friends. Carb-rich dinner, some wine and good company; perfect way to unwind the night before the race. They have been doing this for Musselman weekend for a few years now, and I was happy I was able to join in the tradition. I also spent a little time on the hammock outside, trying to unwind and mentally prepare for 70.3 miles.

We did find out more information regarding the accident as the night went on. The man, who was a Rochester native was pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital. An SUV had ran out of gas and was parked as far over on the shoulder as possible, the cyclist had collided into the back window. This is the first fatality in the 10 year history of the race. Sadly, we can't look and analyze exactly what happened, we will never really know-- and at this point it doesn't change anything. The victim, his family and friends are definitely in my thoughts and prayers.
Brief Article here

It was hard not to think about it, it was also hard not to let my parents find out about it.  I had sent them an email with links to maps, race website and my time estimates for them as they were going to be there Sunday. The last thing I needed was my mom to find out someone died on a 16 mile bike course when I was going to be on a 56 mile course the following day. I didn't want her freaking out the entire 3 and a half hours I was going to be on the bike. Did it scare me? you bet; but I have that fear every time I ride, accidents happen and the best we can do is just be aware and ride as smart and safely as possible.

Sunday was race day for me (recap to come this week), overall it was a great day. I survived my first 70.3! I had fabulous support crew of family and friends, and the race staff/volunteers were just as amazing. I can't say enough good things about Mussleman races- Jeff Henderson and his crew(including my friend Amy who is the volunteer coordinator) do an amazing job. From the different race options, mass volunteers, amazing swag and sponsors, pre-race meetings that are fun & informative, "green" race characteristics, all of it makes for a memorable weekend. Congrats to them for 10 years and cheers to many more! I already have next years race on the calendar...more volunteering and more racing!
Me and my #1 fan and team mate after finishing yesterday! :)


What did you do this weekend?


Cyclists- what are your riding fears?

18 comments:

  1. That's so sad...but you are right accidents do happen and we can't live our life fearing the what if's...
    Despite the sadness it looks like to was an awesome weekend and congrats on finishing your 1st 70.3

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  2. Oh that accident is so scary! I can't imagine! Other than that it sounds like you had an awesome weekend! I cannot wait to read your recap!!! Congrats on 70.3 girl!!!!

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  3. Oh wow what a horrible tragedy...I will keep the athlete and their family in my thoughts.

    Congrats on finishing your first 70.3!

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  4. oh my goodness that IS so scary! I do *not* have a healthy enough fear of the road and should. It looks like the Musselman has a great support staff and community around it - I love seeing all the twitter-ing and storifying. I asked someone if there was a fb page or something for my DiamondMan and haven't seen anything yet. Maybe I should create one...
    It's so great to have that 70.3 badge! Congrats! And congrats on finding a great community and partner to share in the fun.
    PS I love mussels so I totally thought that was going to be my first 70.3 upon google searching back in Jan. No mussels, though??
    PPS As you know I swam my first 5k this weekend. And that was that.And that is why I am sitting on my a$$ at the computer and came upon your post right away.
    And now back to filling water balloons with the kids to beat this heat...

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  5. Oh my god ... I just heard about the accident this morning, and I didn't know if it had happened during the sprint or the 70.3. So so so sad, and I can't even imagine the number it must have done on your nerves/emotions/etc not only volunteering during the sprint and having to deal with all the panic, but also knowing you had to face your own race the next day. It had to have been a weekend full of rollercoaster emotions, and I'm glad you had a great support system there to keep you going.

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  6. Wow, I cannot even imagine with that cyclist. I know you told me but seeing it in print is just so frightening. I also didn't realize how much fun the minitriathalon was! John looks fantastic and I support you decision with him. ;)

    You know I'm proud of you for finishing the 70.3 and I can't wait for the full recap.

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  7. How awful! I cannot even imagine, that poor family.

    Congrats on your awesome tri. I can't wait to read your recap!!

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  8. Oh no! What a terrible tragedy! I'm glad things went well for you though.

    My weekend was spent relaxing and being lazy around Toronto and finally getting around to some food prep on Sunday. Congrats on the race!

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  9. So, so scary! I was thinking of you over the weekend...I'm glad the race went well. Can't wait to read the recap!

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  10. Happy to hear the race went well! Congrats!

    I used to be scared of unclipping! I could never unclip for some reason and I fell countless times because of it! Ohhh the stories!

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  11. I'm glad to hear your first tri was a good one! Congratulations and I can't wait to read the full report on the race!

    I can't believe someone died during the sprint tri! I would definitely be a little shook up if I were doing a longer tri the day after on the same course! I'm proud of you for shaking the jitters. Gosh, I just can't believe it happened at all. I feel so bad for the family :(

    Btw, I love the picture of you kissing your Maverick on the cheek! ;) Definitely a great picture!

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  12. So sad to hear about the accident. Crazy to think something like that can happen... Whether were running or biking, gotta be aware of our surroundings.

    Sounds like you had a pretty amazing weekend - CONGRATS on finishing!!! What's next? Ironman?

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  13. So tragic. Cycling terrifies me, and I do it reluctantly to be able to do tris. I have a triathlete friend who had to have multiple surgeries after being hit by a car while he was riding. But congrats on your first 20.3! Looking forward to reading your post!

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  14. I found your blog by googling "how to do my first duathalon"! HA! I am really enjoying reading your posts about your races. I am actually doing my first 1 in 2 weeks and reading this about a fatality doesn't make me feel any better. My heart is broken for this person's friends and family. I will be thinking and praying for this family.

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  15. Oh, Laura- how awful about the accident! That is so scary- the bike makes me really nervous, since you can be moving so fast. So sorry to hear about that.
    I hope the rest of your weekend went well- from instagram, I know you did awesome. Can't wait to hear the details!

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  16. I heard about that accident. Was it a blind curve or something, that he didn't see the SUV ahead of time?

    I can't imagine being you and hearing about this, the day before your first triathlon!

    Glad it went well for you, I'm sure it's the first of many for you!

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  17. Oh my goodness. How horrible about the accident. I cannot even imagine the mental state that would put you in - so scary.

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  18. Looking forward to the recap!

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