Virginia Beginner Triathlete Jockstrappers

I want to give a huge shout out to all the BT'ers that came out to the race on the weekend.  You guys are awesome and so generous.  I hope I don't forget anyone  Michelle (Shelly123),Kristin (Queen), Brad (Weds19), Paul (Grems8544), all rode unrelenting miles with me listening to me babble on about any subject from the constellation, training,relationships and anything else I could think of too pass the time away Brett (Brett),who gave me advise on strategy about the race and walked the last 2 miles of the death march with me. Andrew (Shanks),who encouraged me and made me a great ham and mayo sandwich, and  entertained me with his manly moustache.  Andrea (SCC), who always had lots of kind words. Sherry (oliveview),who had the best disposition of anyone I know, she rubbed out a cramp in my leg, she provided me with endurolytes, water and even went as far as holding my bike when I went to the washroom, she was a godsend.  Frank (Scubapunk),this guy is larger than life with his personality, he fixed my bike, he rubbed my shoulders when they were killing me and he lit the way for me at 3 o'clock in the morning for my run.  Renee (Renee),she's the woop woop girl, there wasn't a time that I could go bye her without a loud and joyous cheer. Christine (Lucy),always gave me lot of smiles and even went as far as taking down and packing my tent for me after the race because she knew I was exhausted.  Christine (Deepbluesea), Hollis (Possum),  D.Z. (DZ),these guys always gave me moral support at every chance they got.  Gina (Gryfrog), and Tom (Madcow). these two have my utmost respect for the determination and stamina that they showed during these tough times.

Lastly I would like to mention the person that went above and beyond to help me.  Ernie (ejc999).  I met Ernie and Michelle when I went to Lake Placid for a training weekend in July.  We kept in touch on bt and when I told Ernie I was doing the race he said he might be able to help me out a little.  Thats the understatement of the year.  I stayed at Ernie's house on Thurdsay, met his wife Erica and two kids Ryan and Brenna.  They fed me a steak dinner and gave me a comfy bed to sleep in.  Friday morning Ernie took me to various stores to buy some items that I had forgotten to bring. (bike shorts, running shorts, cliff bars, gatorade, bike gloves, body glide, running hat, running shirt, coat, batteries and some other items) Okay its obvious that I don't plan to well.  We then went to Lake Anna where we met Gina and her crew.  We set up our stuff beside them and then attempted to assemble a tent that didn't have all the poles.  It was funny and a sad sight.  Ernie unloaded everything and got things organized then we went to the prerace dinner, this went on way too long so we went back to the crew camp.  I took a sleeping pill and went to bed around 10.  The sound of a generator running on each side of the tent made it impossible to sleep.  I ended up sitting with Ginas crew and watching the triples on the bike.  In the morning Ernie ran around and did everything he could to get my oatmeal heated up for me.  Mission accomplished, then it was time to take my bike to the swim portion.  Ernie put the race number on the bike and fixed the bar tape on the bars.  He was there with water and a gel on the swim and another when I got out.  He took care of all my gear and made sure I was stocked and ready to  for the long bike ahead.  He not only rode many miles with me he also  ran with Gina, and rode with other people on the course that didn't have support at all.  This guy is truly a giver.  He made sure I drank and was supplied with nutrients even when I didn't want them.  I wanted for nothing.  Lastly he rode his bike with his pink coat beside me on the run portion for a good 40 to 45 miles.  I was worried that people would think we were a couple.  The last two hours of the run in the intense sun was brutal but he was always there getting me cold wet towels, filling my hat with ice and making sure I was hydrating.  At the end of the race he packed almost everything up and got things organized.  We then went back to his house where his lovely wife made another great meal and it was definetely time for sleep.  Ernie had aided me from Thursday afternoon till Sunday night, not too mention the others that he helped at the race.  What a friend. Thank you Ernie.

I would like to point out that I think I could physically do this race but mentally everyone at bt made it possible.  Your help and support overwelmed me and I'm sure I didn't articulate this well over the course of the weekend.  It amazes me how a group of A type personalities I never met before can join together and help someone they don't know accomplish a task thats almost unattainable.  You guys totally rock and deserve much more recognition that I could ever express on this post.

I hope that I can take your generousity and pass it on to others in the triathlon community.