New hobby, since there is no racing going on

So I’ve been hanging out at home a lot, like many of you, getting somewhat bored, spending time building legos, completing puzzles, trying to get a little exercise in. I recently had the opportunity to be a part of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge. My sister has been involved in this Challenge for several years as filmmakers create, write, shoot , and edit a short film in a time span of 55 hours. This year’s Challenge was different due to Covid restrictions, it was turned into a documentary challenge. My sister wanted to continue to be a part of the Challenge, this time we 5 days to complete the assignment. My mom and I worked together to gather “archive” footage and photos, as well as working with my sister to practice answering the questions for the non-archive footage. I filmed and edited all the footage together...my first time really using Final Cut Pro to any extent.

So here it is; 2/2 3-2 1

COVID 19 Sucks

Please excuse the amount of venting and frustration in this post. I am a substitute teacher, and just found out today that the school district I work for is extending its closure until May1st, which means no work for me, and no pay either. It also means that all my training is going down the drain, the pool I swim at and the track I run at on Tuesdays are also closed for the foreseeable future. The group that I usually ride with has also stopped riding.  I refuse to ride alone since my accident, and I don't want to put my parents at anymore risk than absolutely necessary (I live with them). So what does that mean....

It means swimming in a wetsuit in my backyard pool. And yes it rained on my swim parade, causing a lot of background noise on my good old go pro camera.

It means riding my bike to nowhere, or other fun places courtesy of Zwift. I have been fortunate to be able to link up with some friends and find some good workout rides on Zwift.

It means running around in circles in my cul-de-sac, which I haven't done much of, and I avoid pictures of me running.

Trying to look forward

My next race is scheduled for July, Legacy Triathlon. I am also currently the volunteer coordinator, and am looking for volunteers, though my contacts have dried up considerably due to the rules regarding social distancing. If you want to volunteer there are multiple shifts available, you can work a shift even if you are racing...I will be out there as much as I can, except when I am actually racing.

The event has an open water swim the Friday night before the race, then the Legacy Triathlon & Paratriathlon Nationals on Saturday, then there will be a pro draft-legal race on that Sunday. This is all scheduled for the week before the 2020 Olympics were scheduled to start in Japan, now delayed until 2021. 

link to volunteer:Volunteer for Legacy Triathlon

link to race: Legacy Triathlon

Welcome to 2020

First race of 2020 (but I didn't race)

So the first race of 2020, Race on the Base, was one I did not race. I did this race as my second ever triathlon, and competed 5 years in a row, earning my five-star medal, but haven't been back to compete. This race usually falls around my birthday, and this year was no different. Race was on Saturday, February 22nd, and my birthday was two days later. 

Give it a Tri Program

Tri-Zone's first Give it a Tri (GiaT) program this year was focused on Race on the Base. As I still help out and take pictures, I have been following along the adventures of many first time triathletes. This is the largest GiaT programs we have each year. This was the first time I was able to also follow these athletes on race day to take pictures and help calm any nerves they might have.

The photos below tell the story of the race: pre-race, walking to the starting line, the run, the bike, the swim, and the post race bling/euphoria). These were just a few of the over 250 pictures I took that day, some turned out great, others blurry, but that's what happens when everything & everyone is moving so quickly.

For more information about Race on the Base visit Race On The Base website

For more information about Trim-Zone & the Give it a Tri program visit: Tri-Zone