I have had the privilege to travel with the MNTC for the past several years to various junior elite races across Canada as either a parent or in some cases the team chaperone. First, I want to express to each athlete how proud I always am of them and that I am in constant awe of the commitment each one of them has to this sport.
The National Race at Kelowna was extremely special for me as it marked the end of an era in our family. It was Joshua’s last race as a Junior Elite Triathlete as he has now aged out. I know that I will always look back in time at these years as some of the best years of our lives. It was a time when we got to travel around the continent and make friends with athletes from across Canada. Many special memories and funny (and sometimes not so funny) stories will be told and retold around our dinner table for years to come. This is just some of the many benefits that this sport has brought to not just our son but our entire family.
To the athletes of MNTC your races may not always be what you want or anticipate them to be but to me they are something that I always admire and look forward to watching with such anticipation.
Going to Kelowna was hard for me because I knew it would be my last time watching all of you. Saturday morning was a beautiful day where the sky was filled with sunshine and the temperature was perfect. As 9:40 am approached and the junior elite girls were announced I stood at the swim exit to secure my perfect spot so that I would be able to cheer the girls on. Janessa was the only MNTC athlete racing but there are many other Junior Elites that I have met over the years and I do enjoy cheering for each every one. If you were to ask Janessa about her race she would tell you that she was pleased with her swim and her bike but her run wasn’t what she had wanted. This is Janessa’s first year as a junior and she is up against some of the strongest in the World. Janessa biked really hard and was working in her pack to keep things going smoothly. I had tears of joy in my eyes as I heard her name announced as she crossed the finish line in 19th place.
The Junior Elite boys raced at 10:25 and we had six MNTC boys in the line-up; Joshua, Charles, Riley M., Riley U., Tyler and Ben. They too were racing against the countries’ best junior elites. I remember vividly when I first met some of those contenders and I always enjoy watching the races as anything goes. The first pack out of the water contained Sharpe, Stewart and Quick. Behind them came the chase pack of swimmers with Joshua and Riley Unger. The next group was a longer procession of swimmers coming out of the water in a steady stream. In that pack came Charles, Tyler and Riley M. Within seconds Ben came out of the water eager to get on to the bike.
The problem with being a triathlon spectator is that you can’t see the entire race. I hurried up to the bike course (having missed the transitions) to watch the excitement. I had been told that Kelowna has the best course for spectators. The biking was fast and competitive. Joshua and Riley Unger were in the chase pack but unfortunately Charles and Riley M. were both cycling on their own. Not an easy task and definitely not what they had hoped for. Tyler was cycling with a group and it appeared to me that he was able to stay with them for the entire bike portion. Ben was working well in a pack and later told me that he had so much fun on the bike course. Riley M. eventually caught Charles so for the end of the bike they at least had each other.
I am always most satisfied when everyone gets off the bike safe and sound. I stood close to transition and counted. Joshua and Riley Unger came in and off they went. Riley M. and Charles arrived safely followed by Tyler and then Ben who because he had a stress fracture ended his race after the bike.
The run was fast and Riley Unger held strong finishing 8th. Joshua’s run was not what he had hoped for. He had to stop to throw-up several times, unfortunately for Joel Howlett’s dad, he had to witness this and he later told me it was not a pretty sight. I can only imagine. As Craig said, it takes courage to finish a race when you’re sick and Joshua found the courage to finish in 13th spot. Charles, Riley M. and Tyler found their rhythm on the run and finished 16th, 18th and 22nd.
Earlier in the day two of MNTC’s youth girls raced in the 14 and 15 year old category. I was able to watch them finish their swim, bike and then run. Ashlyn and Hannah both did very well finishing 2nd and 8th. It was difficult to get to see everyone as so much was going on all at once. The atmosphere was exciting with so many spectators out cheering on the athletes. Well done girls.
Sunday’s race had Stevie and Sarah-Anne racing the elite race against Paula Findlay who had just completed two amazing first place finishes on the ITU circuit. After one loop of the swim both Sarah-Anne and Stevie were in the chase pack. They held that position on to the bike course and for the first two laps they biked in the same pack. Unfortunately Stevie got dropped on the big hill and ended up soloing for the majority of the bike. Sarah-Anne remained in an excellent position as she entered transition two. It was exciting to watch the run as they made 4 loops so you got to see the athletes often. Sarah-Anne had an amazing run and finished 6th overall but 3rd in the U23 category. Unfortunately for Stevie the run did not agree with her and she needed to end her race early as she was sick on the run course.
As you can see, races aren’t always what they plan for. No one plans to be sick, no one plans to cycle alone but the amazing thing to watch is the effort that each and every athlete puts into their race. That is what gives me such pride and brings tears of joy to my eyes. To me you are all SUPERSTARS. In the words of Kyla Rollinson, the coach from Quebec who raced in the elite race to show her athletes that we do this sport not JUST to win but because we LOVE it.
I am so proud of each and every one of you. You all remembered Craig’s ABC’s of racing and showed him that you have Attitude, you Busted your Butt and you showed Courage. You are all winners.
