What the hell is that thing?

DCTC Crew - Stu, Dena, Myself, Adam

The Kent School Osprey Triathlon

"What the hell is that thing?!"

This wasn't your traditional triathlon at all.  The event was a bike, kayak, run - luckily you didn't have to bring your own kayak.  It was a fundraiser for the school so there were a lot of families and kids participating as relay teams.  This was by far the most relaxed and race I have ever seen.  Transition was an area of grass where people threw their stuff down.  The start line was an imaginary line through 2 hay bails the had set up.  Bike racking was - well just another area of grass near the hay bails.  There were 4 of us from DC Tri that went out to take part in the grueling 7 mile bike, 2 mile kayak, and 5k run.  We lined up in the front with our bikes with only a few seconds to spare before the announcer sent every one off over his megaphone.  Off we  rode about 3.5 miles out and 3.5 miles back.  The bike was over and done with in the blink of an eye and I was running to my kayak.  I saw the 1st place male only about 20 seconds ahead of me in the kayak.  My kayak goal was to catch him because knew he'd take me in the run no problem.  Through the 2 mile kayak I slowly caught up to him but not before this old dude in an outrigger jetted past both of us!  At the turn around I saw Adam and let him know how I felt about the fancy boat.  "Ahh, what the heck is that thing?!"  Totally not legal was my thought.  I came out of the kayak just 5ish seconds behind the now 2nd place male.  I pulled my kayak up to beach it dropped my life jacket and took off to start the 5k run.  The volunteers at the beach were pulling Adam's kayak up for him, yo what about mine, I'm the lady here!  I felt like I was running ok, but I had accidently left my hat on, no wonder Iwas sweating bullets.  I knew I probably wouldn't be catching the 1st or 2nd place males but I didn't want anyone catching me either.  About a 1/2 mile in a caught up to a young boy who was running as part of a relay team. When he looked back and saw me he took off sprinting.  This pattern continued for about 2 miles.  His mom was there telling him to take a break and walk if he need it.  He was having none of that - he was not going to let a girl pass him.  About 2.5 miles in I passed him, but next this I knew he's behind me talking to his dad and says, "it's time to gamble" and takes off again.  This kid was going to try to sprint it in about 1/2 a mile.  Good luck to him I thought.  A few hundred yards before the finish I caught him again.  By this time there was no way I was going to let this little shit beat me so I gave him a good little trip and took off to the finish with my arms held high.  No not really, actually instead of passing him I encourage him and stayed a step behind him the entire way in to the finish.

Overall Champs

It was a fun race and a cool setup afterwards with hot food and beer for everyone while we waited to the awards to start.  Our DC Tri crew took home 1st Overall Male and Female as well as a couple age group awards.  One of the best parts about this race is the location near the Chesapeake bay.  After the race we drove in through town and found a cute restaurant on the water to hang out at before continuing on the weekend adventure.