THE BIG QUESTION
The Big Question:
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR MOST AWKWARD MULTISPORT MOMENT?
Twenty minutes before my wave start at the USAT National Championships, I made one last trip to the porta-potty. Upon entering, I noticed a wasp flying overhead. I swatted it, down and out (I thought). After doing my business I saw Mr. Wasp again — in the crotch of my tri shorts! Yes, I was stung DOWN THERE. Lot of flailing, yelping and swearing from inside my Port-a-Potty. When I exited, [I heard] “when the house is a rockin’, don’t come a knockin.’” More awkward when I told the hot med volunteer where I needed to use the bee sting wipe.
— Anne Jensen, 43, Kirkland, Wash.
During a hectic and crowded T1 at Ironman Arizona last year, I transitioned outside the changing tents. When I finished, I started running through the tent to get to my bike. Something seemed amiss and I noticed I was surrounded by half-naked women! I had accidentally run into the women’s changing tent!
— Christian Espinosa, 39, St. Louis, Mo.
During a tri race, there were two split transitions (one for swim to bike and one for bike to run), and I forgot where my bike-to-run transition was. I spent 5 minutes searching everywhere for my transition spot while people were passing me and the spectators were staring at me.
— Patrick LaBrode, 17, Houston, Texas
This summer, I picked my race packet up the morning of the race. I took the packet with me into a port-a-potty. When I got back to transition to finish setting up, I realized I had left my timing chip in the port-a-potty! I went back over to the port-a-potties and asked a few people in line to check when they got in there. One of them started knocking on doors asking if anyone saw a timing chip in there. Someone found my chip, and everyone waiting in line cheered for me when he walked out of the port-a-potty with it and handed it to me.
— Elaine Kratz, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
I was training for my very first sprint triathlon two summers ago. I went to the gym to do my dreaded swim workout. I was in the pool for about 30 minutes... got out and sat in the hot tub to ease my aching back muscles for a few minutes... and then headed straight for the locker room for a shower. After a long, hot shower, I changed and took a peek in the mirror on the way out. It was only then that I realized I was in the MEN’S LOCKER ROOM!!!
— Paige Mark, 44, Marietta, Ga.
The most awkward moment I’ve run across was while competing in my very first triathlon. There were two bike laps to complete, but I only did one and switched to the run because I saw some guy waving his arms, and I thought he was signaling me in. Needless to say, I was disqualified.
— Richard Juergens, 45, Manchester, Conn.
My awkward moment was actually my husband’s awkward moment! At our first triathlon the photographer got a great picture of him in transition with his big, flowery swim trunks and his very lovely black socks! It was a classic picture of bad taste in clothing. Shortly after that we got all new tri gear! — Kristin Nixon, 43, Sumner, Wash.
I once forgot to unpack my helmet from my transition bag before a race. I didn’t realize it until T1. I ran all the way back to my car in my bike shoes to get it. I ended up with a long T1, but that was better than a DNF for being a bonehead!
— Marie Peasley, 32, Marquette, Mich.
My most awkward multisport moment was at my first triathlon. I was so excited about it that when packing, I forgot to pack my bicycle front wheel. You can imagine my reaction when I got to the race site and had no wheel for my bike.
— Francisco Osorio, 32, Fresh Meadows, N.Y.
THE NEXT BIG QUESTION:
What is your single most essential piece of triathlon training/racing equipment and why?
Send your response (60 words or less) to
communications@usatriathlon.org by Feb. 18, 2011. Remember to include your name, age, hometown and put “Big Question” in the subject line.
USATRIATHLON.ORG USA TRIATHLON 99
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