Sri Chinmoy Triple Triathlon

As I landed in Canberra on Saturday evening a text from Henry
"R U swimming, running, cycling or photos and media management".

Earlier in the week when I was organising my trip to Canberra, he had invited me to participate in a triathlon.  IHe said  they had purchased a family entry.

When Henry's text arrived I envisaged something on the lines of little athletics in the form of families running swimming and cycling.  All that was missing was an egg and spoon race.  I sent him back a quick text indicating I was not really into swimming.  Just as well as it turned out swimming took place in lakes - canberra lakes - not known for flowing water.

Henry and I arose while it was still dark.  The darkness made me suspicious that this might not be little athletics.  A bike was strapped to the roof  and a spare shoehorned into the back of the car. Henry morphed into a MAMIL (Middle Aged Man In Lycra), This was definitely not little athletics.  We proceeded to the lake where the first swim leg was already underway.  After a few moments we saw movement in the water and a few minutes later a wet suit man exited the water.  ( I was very glad I has indicated that I was not into swimming).  The water teamed the way it does when a school of fish are over enthusiastic and more men and women exited.  Then cousin Michael (who had flown in from Sydney- This was serious)  and Carolyn's husband David arrived on foot.  It appears they had waved cousin Peter off.

BTW, there is an out of date family tree here
http://users.tpg.com.au/syndetic/familytree.html
 This may help understand the relationships.

We observed some fellow exit the water in his speedos.  This confirmed that there were some very strange people involved.  Later on there were some girls too who were just in togs with no wet suit.  I would have wanted a hazmat suit myself.

Hmm we wondered as the lake cleared.  But then whats that - movement on the horizon.  It's it's a person doing backstroke.  Cameras are warmed up.  It's Peter.  Henry dons his helmet and is at the ready.  Peter powers out the final meters and up the  beach and tags Henry and Henry is off.

Michael and David, Peter and I walk back to the almost empty car park.  We decided that we were probably about 5th last.  We drive in convoy 100m from the top of Black Mountain.  We watch cyclists struggle past as their exhausted legs push them toward the summit.  Ten minutes later we see then screaming down the hill past us and into the car park only to disappear down an incredibly steep dirt track.

I am somewhat concerned that Henry may not be up to the task.  Then along he comes.  He makes the up hill look like its flat.  As he disappears over the cliff those of us in cars drive off to Dickson so Michael can prepare for his 20km run with a take away coffee.

We continued to the top of Anthill street where we joined a large crowd.  A few people came through then then blow me over here is Henry coming in at 2hrs and 8 minutes for 36km including it turns out spending 5 minutes helping some guy who fell off and broke is knee and also at one stage Henry apparently took a wrong turn.

Then Mike ditched his coffee and jogs off into the distance.  Henry and I would be hard pressed to jog back to the car yet Michael is running up Mt Majura then down to the saddle and then up Mt Ainslie.  You know the place that we struggle up the stairs to look at the view.  The support crew wandered back to Kellaway St so Henry could have a shower and the rest of us could have yet another coffee.  meanwhile Michael is slogging away up and down Mountains.  We hop in the cars and drive up Mt Ainslie.  As we wait at the top for Michael, we clap politely and offer words of encouragement to the people running by.  I am informed that one lady is 65 or something.

Eventually Michael comes into view and we grab him for a family photo.  Hey what else do you do half way through a leg.  He continues on his run and Henry and I said good by to Peter & David. 




Henry and I went and had breakfast (11:15) at cafe "two for ten" departing at noon.  Then we went shopping for some shirts and then met Andrew Metcalfe at the Belgium beer cafe where I had some unpronoucible beer.  Then we went into the city for a steak and then onto cousin Ian's place.  As we entered I noted his daughter Lizzie had the triathlon team's number in niko on the back of her hand.  She had apparently done the last swim leg.  Ann marie did the second leg but we did meet her.

After chatting with cousin Ian, his partner Justine and daughter Lizzie and some of their neighbors we  departed for the finish line.

The sun had set and the cerimonial presentations were underway.
We discovered that the winners did it in abut 8 hours 9 minutes - a new course record.
One team with all 9 members over 50 did it in 9 and a bit hours.
 And as more runners arrived those on the balcony would clap enthusiastically.  Some of those were individuals who had done all 9 legs.  One person.  All day. Insanity.

Then Peter arrived.  I am amazed. 
We went home to bed.
Such a long day.