Wallis Sands Triathlon & Duathlon 2021

Although the Wallis Sands Triathlon & Duathlon is close to home, it still required a very early rise.  The night before, Dad helped the boys remove their bikes from the indoor trainers and prepare them for road riding. While the world was sleeping, we rose, ate breakfast, racked the bikes, loaded the car, and hit the road before 5:15 am.  Gavin’s and Brody’s breakfast of choice on race day is scrambled eggs.  Mom doesn’t think their bodies are awake enough to eat much more.  When we arrived at Wallis Sands State Park in Rye, NH, the sky was morphing from black to charcoal grey.  Volunteers combated the dark with head lamps while athletes relied on flashlights to stage their transition areas.  Race preparations began with Mom marking Gavin and Brody– she’s grown quite skilled in writing numbers on their arms and legs.  Once their transition area was set up, we all walked to the beach.  The sky prepared to welcome the sun, and we were blessed to watch the sun emerge from the horizon (Check out our Facebook page if you want to view the time lapse video!).  The morning was chilly, but racers were eager to hit the course!  Gavin and Brody competed against thirty-eight other duathletes; twenty-five men competed.  They were the only males in the under nineteen age category which guaranteed them first and second place positions.  Our family enjoys visiting the beaches in this area which made the course extremely familiar for the boys.  It provides breathtaking views; but when the wind is strong, it presents challenges.  Today, athletes didn’t just compete against each other; they also competed against nature.  The waves aggressively pounded the sand.  The wind whipped faces with chilly 60 degree air.  After fighting the elements, their bodies, and other athletes, participants received an exuberant personalized welcome from the emcee.  When Gavin crossed the finish line, he was announced as the youngest athlete to finish at that time…. until Brody crossed.  Brody received the honor of being the youngest race participant.  Their times and rankings were great!  This course consisted of a 1 mile run, 14.5 mile bike, and a 5k.  Gavin’s total time was 1:12:54 which placed him fifth in both the overall and in the men’s categories.  He was pleased with a sub-seven minute mile on both runs.  Averaging a 6:15 mile on the second run, Gavin completed the 5k in less than twenty minutes.  Racers battled a fierce headwind, but Gavin still averaged 19.3 mph on the bike.  Brody improves with each race!  He ranked twenty-two overall and seventeenth in the men’s category.  His run average is around a 9 minute mile, and he averaged 16.3 mph on the bike.  Brody completed the race in 1:32:55.  When Chase doesn’t participate in a race, he joins Mom and Dad cheering on his brothers! At the close of this race, we say good-bye to the 2021 duathlon and triathlon season.