The Elites

It's not many sports that give you the access to the Pros and the Top Athletes the way the sport of Triathlon does. We sure are lucky to be in this amazing sport of approachable people with really fun personalities -- most of whom are really laid back too.

I had the pleasure of watching the top in the sport perform at the ITU Nationals in Long Beach on Sunday. The event, second of five races of the Haul to the Great Wall Series, serves as a 2008 Olympic Trials qualifier. The magnificent Hunter Kemper and Sarah Haskins took the top spots. (It is Hunter's 6th Nationals title).

The day after the Long Beach race, the LA Tri Club had their second meeting of the year. Gracing the stage were Hunter himself, as well as the venerable Barb Lindquist. Not only were the 300 clubbers (not to mention myself!) able to look forward to hearing from these two OLYMPIANS, but sitting in the audience were 15 more elite and Olympic athletes, including: Victor Plata, Laura Bennett, Andy Potts, Matt Reed, Julie Swail, Joe Umphenour, Beckey Lavelle, Sarah Haskins, Sara McClarty, Jasmine Oeinck and Erika Aklufi.

Hunter Kemper.... just a few words on him... WHAT A GUY!! I'm a HUGE fan. I spoke to him after his win in Long Beach and laid some ground work for what he could expect at our meeting the next night. He was so genial, attentive, interested and humble. He's super approachable and really funny and a fun guy! He, and his wife Val, are expecting a baby in December. Congratulations to them... and, I have to wonder, will this baby have an Olympic future with parents like these two?

I can't imagine a better athlete and person to represent the U.S.A. in Beijing/2008. (pictured right: me with Hunter; below, left, Ian Murray and Erika Aklufi).

The contrast between Barb's training and outlook on racing and triathlon vs. Hunters were very funny to hear in parts. Barb is very meticulous and regimented and hearing her describe her pre-race routine had everyone wide-eyed. In case you're wondering... before a race... Barb wakes up about 3+ hours before start, swims/bikes/runs doing some speed work, practices transition, then eats, showers and lays back down for as much as an hour. Then, she heads to the start line, swims a bit more, then she's ready. That's just slightly more than most of us do, including Mr. Kemper. But, Barb is right about one thing -- practice makes perfect! Espcially in her case! (pictured right: Konrad Ribeiro with Barb).

So, after watching some of Triathlon's most talented... and listening to them... how can you help but be inspired? The LA Tri Club sure was lucky to snag Hunter & Barb for the meeting, and WOW... I can't remember being in any room with so much athletic talent as I was on Monday night. What a pleasure.

Happy Birthday Brian Morel!! (June 26)

Vegas :: Inspiration

I just returned from a five day trip to Las Vegas. I was there with my talented senior designer co-worker, Chin Ong. We went to attend the How Conference, a creative design/graphic designer conference. This is our 4th trip to the event, which moves around the country each year.

Vegas was my favorite installment to-date. Past conferences were held in San Diego, New Orleans and Chicago. Vegas just oozes fodder for inspiration >> both the Great and Amazing and the Awful and Ugly. Chin and I had rooms at the Mandalay Bay, which is one of my favorite hotels. We also visited the Bellagio, another favorite, and saw the show O. The flower arrangement at the bottom here, and the blown-glass creations on the ceiling are images from the Bellagio.

I'm very lucky to be able to attend these seminars. I came away from Vegas armed with new information and with new ideas for so many of my creative projects. I can't wait for next years creative adventure!

Meet Future Triathlete: LUCAS AUSTIN HEKIMIAN
Just in time for Father's Day, Paul and Sylvia (along with Yoshi, the doggie of the family) have welcomed little baby Lucas Austin Hekimian to their growing family. Paul confirms that Lucas arrived on Sunday June 11, 2006 at 4:00 pm. Sylvia and Lucas are both doing great. He was 6 lbs 11 oz and 19.5 inch long.

CONGRATULATIONS Sylvia and Paul! He's perfect and handsome and I'm so happy for you both!! Lucas sure is a lucky little fella!!!

SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE CEMETERY

Last Saturday night I joined a group of a dozen or so at a Cemetery in Hollywood for a movie. They project the movie on the mausoleum wall. It was my first time doing this … and it was soooo much fun! (Photos: in the photo at the top, Damian, Tom and Jon pose for me. Below, on the left, Tom is flanked by his "management". On the right, Heather poses with Tommy.)

First, you get a few from your group to go wait in line before they open the venue (this time, it was Tom, Jon and I taking that lead). While waiting, everyone sits on picnic blankets and eats cheese/crackers and drinks wine… maybe plays ball or a board game… and waits for their buddies to arrive. Then, once they open the gates, everyone files in and jockey’s for best position on the grassy lawn.

We watched The Philadelphia Story… great, classic, funny movie. We watched it with 2,000 Angelenos. It was so much fun! I can’t wait to do it again.

SUNDAY MORNING

Then >> the next morning… my buddy Paul roused me at approximately 5 AM. Why?... because he and Sylvia were at the hospital, waiting for baby Lucas to arrive. Syl had gone into labor and now they were in wait-mode. Also, because of this, he was not able to make it to the Redondo Beach triathlon, where we had planned on meeting to hang-out and support the clubbers who were participating.

Pictured here is me hugging Martha Spelman who completed the 2006 AIDS ride on Saturday. The AIDS ride is a 7-day bike ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles which raises awareness and funding for AIDS research. I’m so impressed by you and proud of you Martha!

The Redondo Beach tri went off without a hitch >> In large part thanks to the hard working tri-clubbers pictured here. Way to go guys! Thanks, Sid, for running such a smooth event. I’m going to have to beg you to help me with all future events!

And, for those of you wondering…. Little baby Lucas did come into the world healthy and safe, approximately the same time as I was on a flight to Vegas for a work conference on Sunday afternoon. I’m not home yet, but when I get home, I can’t wait to meet him!

Sunday's Danskin Women's Triathlon :: What a day, what an outing!

The first swim wave went off at 6:45 am on Sunday morning >> which seemed REALLY early, until you drove over to San Dimas/Bonelli Park for packet-pick up on Saturday and felt the weight of the HOT weather all around you. It was more than 20-degrees hotter than over on the westside -- so we understood the early start time. Sunday morning, when Michelle Sayre and I woke up to head to the race start, we stuck our hands out the window of the hotel expecting it to be somewhat chilly... but NO >> it was easily warm enough for shorts and T's instead of warm up slacks and fleece >> and it was only 4:30 am!!

Monica Morant kept telling me that the water was warm enough to swim without a wetsuit... but, I kept thinking, "She doesn't know how cold I get". I just wasn't buying it. So, after setting up transition, we walked over with a handful of clubbers and stuck our toes into the lake. Sure enough = bathwater. Easily, mid-70's. So, we headed back to transition to find our club mates and tell them to loose the wetsuits. How often do we get the chance to open-water swim without them? Everyone I talked to afterwards was excited to have headed into the water without them. It was a great first for many of us!

The day was clear, warm, but comfortable as we headed down to the lakefront with our caps and goggles in hand. It was such a fun and mellow scene. Lots of fellas around carrying babies, holding kids hands, holding leashes with the family best-friend at the other end, and just generally supporting their wives/girlfriends/daughters. All kinds of ladies lined the lakefront >> super fit uber athletes, grandmas, young ladies trying their first triathlon.... you name it >> body sizes, swim suit styles, you saw it all! And, EVERYONE was smiles, smiles, smiles and saying encouraging words to friends and strangers.

HIGHLIGHTS
1) (surprisingly) the rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner. I don't know who was singing, but it was THE BEST I've EVER heard at ANY athletic event (and, I've been to a few). I was standing next to clubber Tara Bucoy during the performance, and we both admitted that it brought tears to our eyes. On-key, clear, crisp and strong was this ladies voice. I'm sorry I can't tell you her name.
2) swimming without a wetsuit and feeling super comfortable in the lake water
3) a fun two loop bike course with easy rollers
4) a run course that takes you around the lake and through the park, not flat, but not too hilly
5) cheering on all the first-timers on the course!
6) On the run course I had passed a 45 year old CAF athlete named Tracey who had one amputated leg. She was at mile 1 on the race and I was at mile 2. She was stopped and had removed her prosthetic leg, and I asked her if she needed anything. She responded with an upbeat tone that she needed a new leg (ha). I told her I wished I could help her, and then continued running. Then, after I crossed the finish line, I kept thinking about her >> so I gathered all the clubbers around and we decided to head back to run her in as a group. It was an awesome experience for Tracey and for each of us. I didn't feel a single step the whole way. I just kept thinking, if SHE can do this with one leg.... And, you'll be seeing Tracey at upcoming races, next on her docket is Alcatraz!

7) clubber (and head chef at The Lobster in Santa Monica) Allyson Thurber who came in 3rd in her age-group!!
8) enjoying a well-earned lunch afterwards with a half dozen LATCers!
9) and, last, BUT NOT LEAST... LADIES.... the parking lot was FULL when I finished.... no ghost town of fast-boys and fast-finishers taking off before I made my way to the finish line.

To be totally honest, going into the race-weekend, I was a little worried it would be a "cheesy", rah-rah women's sort of event (I had never done a women's-only athletic event before) >> but that was not the case AT ALL. It was an empowering, inspiring, really fulfilling event. It was the sort of event that rejuvenates my passion for the sport and for the community that participates in it. I honestly think, if Tri's are your thing, and you're in-town on the weekend of this race, there is no reason you shouldn't head 45-60 minutes away for this event. If you're a dude >> head there to cheer on the ladies! Many of our male clubbers were there doing just that!! And, if you're a lady, just sign-on-up!

Photos from Danskin
http://www.latriclub.com/photos
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18295408@N00/sets/72157594156704149/show/

I'm looking forward to my next Danskin >> it may just become an annual favorite of mine. Congratulations to all Finishers >> and THANK YOU to all the clubbers out there, supporting the race on Sunday!!