The Off-road Triathlon in Memphis

My departure from Bolivar, PA on Friday morning was just about on time. I have been investigating a campus ministry organization called CCO and drove to this beautiful retreat center about an hour east of Pittsburgh Thursday morning.


After an important conversation/interview Friday morning, I had to exit the seminar prematurely to begin my triathlon journey.


So my hope was to arrive in Memphis, TN by about 11 pm. Fortunately, I gained an hour somewhere in KY and that gave me a little more margin.









My arrangements for housing were with
the Pilgrim House...a very cool hostel connected with First Congregational Church on S. Cooper Street in Memphis.

My alarm rudely awakened me from my cozy accommodations at about 7 AM. I need to get a bite of breakfast 2 hours ahead of the event start time...plus I still had to get some things together and put the bike back together from its wheel-less state. By about 8 AM I was properly nourished, packed, and ready to find Shelby Farms...the location for this off-road triathlon event on the east side of Memphis.

After a minor navigational issue, I found my destination and parked the car with a cool drizzle of rain falling. Once I checked in and got all my gear situated at the transition area, it was close to 9 AM. At about 9:30 AM, I slipped on the wetsuit (thanks Kevin!) and began to anticipate the frigid waters of Patriot Lake there on the park campus. We all got one of these attractive swim caps to put on (minus the logo--unfortunately) and then waded out in the lake until we were waist-deep in the 61 degree body of fresh water. The plan was to swim a circular loop around a couple of islands and then exit the water...run 200 yards to the starting point and then jump back in for a second lap. The most depressing part was that the guy in first place lapped me...before I could finish my first half-mile...he was done with the full mile!

As I was pulling into the park that morning, it suddenly occurred to me that I had forgotten my bike helmet. Since that would mean automatic disqualification, I began begging in the parking lot...hoping one of the other racers had an extra helmet for some reason. After asking about a dozen folks...I headed back to my car and another guy was just closing the gate to his truck and I thought I'd try one more time. He said "Yeah...not sure why, but for some reason I brought both my helmets today...you're welcome to it." Disaster averted! Thanks, Rich.

Prior to the bike stage, I had thought that this might be my strongest section of the race...wrong! For one thing, due to the rain...the track was very muddy and slick. Within 2 to 3 miles of riding...my legs were covered in mud from my knees to my toes (bad idea to wear my running shoes to ride!) Finally, though, I began to catch up to a few racers and make some progress. I only fell completely off the bike one time...nearly ramming a tree trunk with my head. After about 2.5 hours on the bike (can you say, chaffing?!) I made it back to the transition area ready to try out the legs.

As I started out on the final 6-mile run...I knew the legs were going to be pretty gooey from the ride. For the first 2 miles or so, I inserted a brief walk between each half mile. By the time I hit mile three, I had my legs back...the quads stopped cramping & locking up with each extension...and I was able to find a good pace somewhere around 9:30 per mile.

One interesting thing I'll share about the run is that I conducted a bit of sociological experiment. Perhaps one of the toughest mental challenges of such a physical test is that most people are in it alone. Unless you've brought a training buddy with you, the course can be a somewhat isolating and lonely environment. Half-way through the run, I knew that I needed something to help me finish the race well...I needed community.

(this is a random photo...not me or Matt)

Whenever I run with my trail-mate, Matt, in Milford...the running always seems to be more bearable. Since I couldn't magically summon Matt to Memphis, I decided to attempt some conversation with my fellow triathletes. The first two runners I spoke to didn't seem interested in conversation...perhaps because they were struggling even more than I was. But then I jogged up alongside of an older guy who had passed me earlier during one of my walking episodes.

Now obviously, when you're suffering through an endurance event like this, conversation is not really easy or fluid, but we managed a few exchanges. I found that he was from the Memphis area, had done several triathlons, and enjoyed the swimming portion more so than the other two disciplines. We continued to chat every few hundred yards and my sense of time began to speed up coupled with the fact that I was distracted from my discomfort and thinking about this other person. It worked! I found my rhythm and when he stopped off for some Gatorade and Gu at one of the checkpoints...I was able to kick it up a notch and finish strong.

There's gotta be a life lesson in there somewhere.

Finally, I began to hear the music and P/A system at the finish line. I rounded the last corner and steered my reluctant legs towards the cone-lined alley which led to the inflatable Xterra archway. A few hospitable onlookers clapped and cheered me towards the final stretch. "Great job, #46!! Way to go...you're almost there!" That is always an exciting moment. Knowing that you've stayed the course and finished the race. It's an earthly representation of Hebrews 12. Good stuff.