05/06/2023 - Grill - Triathlon Sprint

It all started when Pocahontas’s 2.0, a.k.a., F3 SOX, registered both of them to compete in a Triathlon sprint as a Christmas present.  Misery loves company so Pocahontas talked some his F3 “friends” into participating as well, and like a bunch of lemmings we jumped off the cliff right after him.  This year SOX should buy his dad a pair of socks or a sweater for Christmas instead!  All kidding aside, it turned out to be a fantastic experience and, in a relative sort of way, a lot of fun.

My day (Beaker, that is) started off by rising at 4:50 AM and arriving at Potsie’s house at 5:00 to add my bike to his truck load of kayaks.  We then drove to route 78 to meet up with Pork Chop who was waiting at the exit just west of us.  Soon the miscommunication was cleared up and he joined us for our 2 1/2 hour drive to Mays Landing, NJ.  We ran a little late due to a stop over at Sheetz for some food and slow traffic on the Schuylkill Expressway.  Pocahontas and SOX were waiting for us as we pulled in to unload the kayaks and bikes.  We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day with abundant sunshine and temperatures in the upper 50s and low 60s.

The race was a Triathlon Sprint which consisted of a 1.5 mile kayak race, run 1/4 mile to the transition area to get on our bikes, 9.5 mile mountain bike race, and lastly a 5K run.  The kayak course was 3/4 mile out along a dammed river and 3/4 mile back.  The bike section was along a relatively flat trail through a beautiful forested area.  The trail was rough in spots with some mud, sandy areas, roots, and grass but generally good traveling.  The run was along a forest trail and boardwalk but we had to slog through a flooded section of the trail about a 1/4 mile from the finish.

SOX and Pocahontas made a strong finish followed by Potsie with Pork Chop and finally Beaker pulling up the rear.  Here are our times:

• SOX: 1:59:01
• Pocahontas: 1:59:19
• Potsie: 2:09:32
• Pork Chop: 2:11:20
• Beaker: 2:11:44

It was a great time with good friends, a classic CSAUP — Completely Stupid And Utterly Pointless BUT great for building camaraderie as well as being a physical and mental challenge to build toughness.

We’re already planning to do this again next year and have several additional men who want to join us.

Let the good times roll!