LPC at Muskoka 70.3

Bre and I drove up to Muskoka last weekend to watch the Muskoka HIM. At the beginning of this year, I tickled with the idea of jumping into this event, but CoachCT and I decided before Kelowna, that Guelph Lake II on Aug 30th, would be my final tri of the season. But there was no way that the coach in me was going to miss cheering on Team LPC. It was a fun weekend of learning, cheering, and observing. Major congrats to the athletes who battled on the awesomely hard course.

Brian and Keith seconds after Brian completed his first HIM.

Dennis Masse looking strong and relaxed 3k into the half-marathon.

Keith happy to be finishing the challenging 94k bike in the rain.

Keith out of the 2k swim in 37'. When Keith joined LPC 15 months ago, he was just learning how to swim and swam 500 meters in 20'. In 15 months of consistent hard/smart work, he can now swim 4 times that distance in less than double the time.

Brian running up to T1.

The calm before the storm. Dennis and Keith ready for battle.

Bre and Maverick being professional cheerleaders in the rain.

Beautiful Bre is 8 months pregnant and was a machine cheering on Brian and the rest of the crew. I think she covered a half-marathon of power walking to the various vantage points.

Maverick was the perfect example of the kind of mind-set that you wanted to be in prior to, and during this race. He had a blast being outside all day long playing in the rain.

Part of my purpose for being at Muskoka 70.3, was that I wanted to observe the emotions of all of the participants over the course of the weekend. I can usually put an athlete into two broad categories. Those that let the uncontrollable negatively affect their performance. And those that brush off external factors such as rain as part of the game. I noticed some athletes 'throwing in the towel' because their A-race of the year brought tough challenging conditions. "Why does it have to rain today!" Those that did well had a positive attitude and embraced the event for what it was, and dealt with harsh elements the best they could, in a positive manner.

We can learn a lot from a puppy and young child. They are always happy to be playing out in the rain. Why should that be any different for an adult 'playing' in a triathlon. Control the controllable and choose to deal with the uncontrollable in a positive way.

Keith, Doug, and Dennis. Mission accomplished.

Margaret with a big birthday smile as she makes the trek up to T1. Margaret completed her first HIM, which served as her 60th birthday celebration. What an inspiring accomplishment and incredible year for the Wojtowicz family.