2009 Season
We begin again! 2009 is the 22nd year of competing in triathlons for Sunny, 23rd for Mark.
In April we both were sidelined with injuries. For 3 months we were both unable to do much of our regular training. Sunny had a knee injury and Mark had a back injury. The good news is we are both recovered and finally did a mini-triathlon in on July 26th, the Tiburon Triathlon. The best news is we both felt great and were really looking forward to our first real race, Folsom Olympic Distance Triathlon (1.5k S, 40K B, 10K R). We both had great races with Mark placing 2nd in his AG with a time of 2:16:09 and Sunny placed 1st in her AG with a 2:56:20. We both are very happy to be healthy again and are looking forward to racing in Australia in September
For the most important race of the year, we traveled to Australia's Gold Coast to participate in the 2009 World Age Group Triathlon Championships. Mark and I both qualified for the World Championships at the National Age Group Championships in Oregon in September of 2008. We represented the USA in the World Triathlon Championships, where over 42 countries were represented with 3000 athletes! Sunny came in 13th in her age group in the world and Mark placed 36th in his age group. Well done!
After returning from Australia we put the finishing touches on the race season with the 29th annual Dolphin Club Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon. This is the most difficult event of the season, mainly because of the very hilly run. We started with a 1.5 mile swim from Alcatraz, then a short 12 mile bike ride from Aquatic Park (where the swim finishes) to Old Mill Park in Mill Valley. From Old Mill Park you run on the Dipsea trail through parkland, trails and neighborhoods to Stinson Beach (7.1 miles) and then turn around and return to Old Mill Park (7.1 miles). The run covers 4800' of climbing and 1350 grueling stairs! Mark finished in 4 hours 36 minutes and 42 seconds placing 9th and Sunny completed the event in 16th place with 5 hours 36 minutes and 6 seconds.
A very fun year even with the set backs early on!
Stay tuned for updates!