Stanford "Treeathlon" 2010
I had a great time this morning racing. As some of you know I have been on the west coast (CA) for about 9 months and really wanted to take advantage of the incredible weather and have some fun doing new races.
This race was held in Redwood City at the marina, put on and used as a fund raiser for the Stanford Tri team. Some observations from someone who is ignorant of this coast for most of my life. Surprising the number of schools that were represented and the range of talent/ability level. Very cool to see how many husband/wife combos were participating. Then the kids did a 'Saplingthon', very cute (kids as little as 3 years old!!) Biggest surprise and a real 'duh' moment was the swim was salt water!! I do not have much salt water experience.
Because the race was on the marina, it was a 500m swim through the boat docks. COLD must have been mid 50s, my feet were numb until the end of the race from the cold water. Bike was 20K, 3 loops on the marina property, followed by 5K run along the water. There was a loooong run from swim exit to transition on pavement. Due to the marina swim they had college volunteers literally pulling you out of the water by your hands, a little disconcerting.
I had a great time, was fun all of the way (other than the 'take your breath away' cold of the swim'. I was 5th in my AG by about 30 sec. Just really had a good time, felt great to be out and racing. My technology is failing me big time so I have no pace info (will be looking into a garmin with my birthday $$ 
).
I can't figure out how to upload pics here but this is the link to the ones I posted on FB: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2030941&id=1211707591&l=d20899c5a6
Comments
Carly- congratulations!!! Dang, 50 degree temps in the water- isn't that the definition of a Polar Plunge?? EEEEEK!
I'm posting one of your pics here for you. Here's how ya do it. Just right click on the picture you have posted up on FB and select "copy image URL". Then come back to the forum post and click on that little button up on top of the text box that looks like a little mountain. You'll get a pop-up window and just paste the URL into the field that asks for it. Voila- picture!
Oh, what fun! Congratulations! And you have my bike's twin!
tom
Thanks Nemo!
Great job. Got cold just thinking about the water...