Driving roughly due west from Boise on Interstate 20; one encounters mile after mile of wide open country. The views in every direction are expansive along this arid, dry, route; all of it desert. Yet, it’s a vivid landscape with mountains, canyons, rivers, meadows, craggy hill sides and an assortment of colors. It is a dreamy landscape challenging the mind to think big. After 257 miles, the first forest begins to envelope the road revealing that Bend, Oregon is near. We are close to our destination of Sunriver for the Pacific Crest Triathlon.
Nestled in Central Oregon, this place has an ancient & majestic feel to it. Mt. Bachelor (a stratovolcano) and the Three Sisters tower above the landscape coated in high mountain glaciers. The giant Ponderosa Pine trees dominate the forest. It is a beautiful place to visit and one with many, many outdoor activities.
This was a wives only race weekend. Our friends Adam and Kellie with their kids Mac and Lucy rented a lovely house together close to the Deschutes River. Adam and I played the roll of supporting our wives for a change. Both Hortense and Kellie were doing the Olympic distance Triathlon on Sunday while Adam did a triathlon of his own…watching the little ones (Mac was racing too), cheering on Kellie, and taking photos.
Adam and I were able to enjoy ourselves; not having to rest or stay out of the sun. We both had an outstanding training/ fun day on Saturday doing a Bric workout while Kellie and Hortense got their packets and lounged at the house. We found a single track trail that ran along side the Deschutes River that made for glorious Mountain Biking. It was my first Mtn. Bike ride in ages; over a year. We were wowed by the terrain and the scenery and I couldn’t help but think why I had not been in so long. We rode for almost three hours feeling that yippee experience the whole time. Embarking on Dillon and Benham Falls was stunning, kindling the paddling spirits in us. I think we both would have liked to ride a few more hours; however we had responsibilities to ensure Hortense and Kellie were ready for their races. We did a short 40 minute run on winding rolling single track that had me feeling like an Indian Scout covering ground fast to find some prey. It was so much fun to be training on new trails; exploring.
The next day I drove Kellie and Hortie up to Wickiup Reservoir while Adam took Mac to the Half Mile Kids run and watched Lucy. With Saturday setting several records for High temperatures throughout Oregon…Sunday was shaping up to be even hotter. After the girls exited their 1.5k swim shortly after 9:30am the temp was already 86!
The girls raced awesome and I think they both had that inner smile throughout the swim and bike. The run was another story. It was Hot, way too hot to ‘feel good’ on a run that traverses through the trees but is still mostly in the sun with rolling hills. Hortense worried me at the start of her run (in 2nd place at that point) as she was moving fast. Running hard in such heat can be stifling and most importantly I wanted her to finish healthy. Both ladies showed true grit and finished strong making their husbands proud.
It was a fantastic weekend; one to be thankful for our loved ones and our health and our beautiful environment.
Bend Bulletin Coverage
Pacific Crest Trialthon Olympic RESULTS
Hortense’s 2007 race report
