Wildflower 2008
050108. Well, now you see, right up front, why we all keep going back to Wildflower >> Yes, it's the streakers. Every-year, they do their thing, right through camp. It's, well... it's streaking... and, it's always a laugh! More than 8,000 people in and around the park, and you get 30+ guys (and girls) to drop trow, and it's a good thing:
Paul Thomas people... jack-of-all-trades extraordiaire, with me, post-race... this is a photo rarely seen these days, but, YES, I do don the uni now & then and work up a little sweat!

Speaking of old friends and racing... Here I am with Scott "Tanner" Fairchild, an old Baylor chum... who's wearing an LATC kit for his race!! Scott is Macca's manager, so it's fun that we've both connected to the sport like we have.
Liz Kollar and I at camp, after the big LA Tri Club Sat. nite dinner tradition, which LizK started. Everyone is always getting us confused because we're both "Liz", and we both email the club about this & that frequently. LizK would say, I'm the old Liz, adn you're the young Liz.... But, I say, she's the FAST Liz (she sneezes and qualifies for Kona), and I'm the slow Liz. Either way, plenty of Liz for everyone.

Seeing so many friends in one place -- something else so easy to love about this event weekend. Two people who inspire me (almost as much as LizzyK) >> Bob Babbitt and Chris McCormack.

And, the Girlz!! Jenny, Kristen and Christine -- This trio, part of our regular LATC TriCHICKS crew, are all hi-energy go-getters. Both Jenny and Kristen are having their first real season in the sport, and they are impressive to watch.

Pre-Long Course, hanging out on the swim launch ramp with the very pregnant Marrielle and baby-daddy Luis... and newlyweds Lawrence and Beth, Anna Wills, and I.

Macca and Sam McClone on the podium after taking 1st in the Long Course.

More fast Chicks! Jessi (far lft) took first in her age group in the Oly, and Mary (far rt) took first overall in the Oly!

LA Tri Club campgrounds - Sat. nite meal time:

Last Friday we got the news that one of our own within the triathlon community had been attacked by a shark 14-miles north of San Diego in Solana Beach. The man was a Tri Club San Diego member, and my heart goes out to all those who knew and trained with him.

It's been challenging choosing the words to communicate with the Club on the topic, but, again, Ian Murray rose to the challenge and penned this message last night. I share the sentiments and his words, here.

"Fellow Members,

In the unlikely event that some of you may not have heard... On Friday morning at 6:30 am San Diego Tri Club member Dave Martin met his regular crew for an ocean swim workout in Solana Beach (that's ~20mi north of downtown San Diego).
At 7 am, the 66 year old retired veterinarian was attacked by a shark.
Four friends with whom he was swimming pulled him to shore.

Lifeguards worked on him for a while but he was pronounced dead shortly after the attack.
It seems natural that each of us would have an immediate and visceral reaction to this news. Regardless of how he died, the bottom-line truth is that a member of a tri club, a lover of triathlon, a hearty spirit, an athlete - much like one of us, lost his life far sooner than what would seem necessary. Unfortunately this happens too often and when it's less exotic it goes without a mention. It's troubling to contemplate, but perhaps a car killing a triathlete is so common that it doesn't even make the papers - not to mention the front page of the LA Times.

Clearly there are some who won't even flinch at this news and will be back in the big blue right away (or have gone already). Others might go the other way in dramatic fashion. Regardless of where your response falls one thing is certain; attacks such as these remain extraordinarily rare, especially in areas where seal populations are insignificant, such as most of Los Angeles County. Even in Solana Beach, where seal populations have grown substantially in recent years, this was the first fatal attack in 49 years.

Take a moment to look at the type of person you are: an adventurous endurance multisport athlete. If you we're the type who avoided risks you might find yourself a member of the LA Knitting Club rather than the LA Tri Club. If you want to be safer in your ocean swims then do the basics that protect you from the far more common issues and more logical risks: swim with a buddy so that you can be assisted in a moment of cramping or fatigue, wear a bright colored swim cap so that boats and personal water craft will see you more easily and swim near open and manned life guard towers in case you get caught in a rip current. Balance your risk with logic and don't fret over the things you cannot control.

Our hearts go out to the San Diego Tri Club and to Dave's friends and family for their loss.
May we all continue to train safely and enjoy this sport for years to come.

All the best to you,
Ian Murray"

Ahhhhhh, Nothing like a man who can clean a bike!!
Meet Brendon David - cyclist, triathlete, coach, traveling bike tuner, and all around handy sort of fella! For a fee, less than what you'd pay in most bike shops, Brendon will come to you, and take care of your wheels. He did a great job on SCOTT, who is now ready to ride at Wildflower and Honu 70.3.
Thanks Brendon!!! For anyone interested in B's services, his contact info is: brendon_David@yahoo.com and 310 999 4642.

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http://www.iknowguides.com/index/