Triple Tri Obsession!

1999 was my first time in the Triple Tri. Someone from the company I worked for put together a team and having just got back into running I volunteered for the final run. I had never run further than 10km before and I was pretty nervous. After waiting around all day I finally got my chance. It was freezing, the rain was driving in and the start of the run was up a seemingly unending hill.

However, after getting over the top of Red Hill and down the other side the run was excellent. Whilst it was a long way I was inspired by the other runners passing me (at least one was a solo competitor) and I finished feeling pretty good. It was a major achievement for me and the start of an obsession with the Triple Tri!

2000: back again in a team of 9 this year. This year I was down for the middle mountain bike leg. Having not really done any off-road cycling this was a very challenging experience. I rode on a borrowed bike and I had a shocker!! The single track through Stromlo nearly wrote me off a couple of times and then I just wasn't strong enough to cope with the distance. However, I did make it to the end, in about an hour longer than I had predicted (my team were VERY glad to see me!) and we carried on.

During that cycle I really thought I was gong to have to pull out but other competitors and the supporters kept me going. It really is a great event!

2001: Arrrrrrrrrrggggggggghhhhhhh!! Cancelled!!! How did I survive? Well, I ran a half-marathon by myself on the scheduled date - I had done all the training after all.

2002: A new challenge this year. Firstly I organised a team which is a feat in itself. I also completed the 3.5km swim in Lake Burley Griffin.

I had never swum that far (non-stop) before and never more than about 500m in open water. The wind was blowing hard in our faces all along the course and regularly the water would splash into my face when I was trying to breathe making life rather interesting. I plodded along to the drink station at the High Court jetty - drank too much water and got
rid of it shortly afterwards!! The feeling of completing this leg was magnificent. Our team did pretty well this year despite quite hot and
humid weather at times .

2003: Rain and cold greeted me at the start of this years race. 2003 was to be my first attempt at more than one leg. I did the first swim (1.5km). Visibility was very low and I shouldn't have followed the person in front of me - they went off course a bit!! It seemed like a very long swim but I was pretty pleased with it.

Next up I did the 3.5km swim again. Much better than last year - wind from our backs! I was much more careful at the drink station and the supporters and officials there were great. Those jelly beans gave me a real boost! Took 6 minutes off last years time so I was pretty happy.

Backing up for the last ride leg was a challenge. Unlike the last time I rode in the Triple Tri (2000), I had trained for this properly and it paid off. The hills were very large, and rocky, and muddy, but in the end (after only one fall) I yahooed my way through  the final tunnel to transition. I was wet, tired, muddy, sore and elated.

Our team did pretty well all things considered and we'll be back next year. I'm just wondering if I can talk my body into doing 4 or 5 legs!

The Triple Tri is a great event. You don't need to be a superhero to compete. Just get out there with some friends and have a blast!