An event like the McCall Mountain Triathlon exudes merriment and the location is a dream.  The Upper Payette Lake situated just north of McCall has vibrancy and unparallel beauty.  Breathing in this crisp cool mountain air while soaking up the natural splendor benefits ones spirit.  I love every minute that I’m up in this lush area as it puts me in touch with my basics, life slows down and a tranquil sea of thoughts swims in the mind.  I have been participating in the race for years, starting out doing the swim portion for teams in the late 90’s.  It is always nice to have a good excuse to enjoy a whole weekend at McCall and this was the reason for my eagerness to be a swimmer on a team back then.  It’s also a big reason I eventually took up the sport of triathlon.  I couldn’t help but notice the fun people had with the challenge. 

The McCall Mountain Triathlon deserves nomination for having the most breathtaking course in the U.S.  A truly majestic spot adjacent to the Frank Church Wilderness (the largest section of land without roads in the lower 48).  This is also a tough triathlon; as hard as any I have done.  The course has a hilly bike and run and being as high as 6400 feet has your lungs expanding to their max seeking more O2.  Anytime the pain starts to take a toll, all one needs to do is dissociate from the internal and focus on the grandeur surrounding you.  It’s always enough motivation to put a smile on my face.

The race started around 9am at a fairly large campground on the south end of the lake.  The water is pristine and refreshing.  It was a wetsuit swim, however, a wetsuit wasn’t needed.  Several people did not wear one and I would have joined them but I did not think I would keep up with Peter Ney without one.  For the first half of the race we swam side by side, neither one of us willing to settle behind the other.  On the way back, we settled into a good pace and both took different lines back to the finish.  I hugged the shore while he stayed close to the buoys.  I managed to get a few seconds on Peter at the swim finish and then turned my attention to the bike as we immediately started climbing out of T1. 

This is my favorite road to bike on in Idaho, a pleasurable treat.  There is almost no traffic and the road is nice and wide enough to feel safe when the occasional vehicle passes. It is easy to feel alone and intimate with the great expanse of wilderness surrounding you.  I think that only 2 cars passed me on the entire 25 mile out and back course, and one of those was a spectator.  At the bike turnaround, Peter and Kyle were in a battle while my lead seemed safe.  I focused on keeping an honest pace and enjoying the experience on the way back to T2. 

Getting back to Upper Payette Lake and hearing the spectator’s encouragement was awesome.  For being at such a remote location, it is great to see so many people supporting their friends and family.  The run was a dirt road and then trail that went ¾’ s of the way around the lake.  The scenes from the east side of the lake near the dead end turnaround are stunning.  There are several park benches set up to take in the view and it was almost tempting enough to stop just for a sec and take it all in.  Alas, I rationalized that I might come back later, and take some photos.  It will have to be some other weekend, as this trip didn’t have it in the cards. 

Heading towards the finish it was good to see Hortense leading the women’s race at the start of the run.  However, she had company not too far behind.  She ended up getting 4th by one second, just getting nicked at the line by young 16-19 year old Erika Sweigert.  Good job ladies! 

Hortense and I thoroughly enjoyed the race and the spirits and food after the event were excellent as well. 

Thank you race volunteers for putting on such an awesome event and thank you Gravity Sports McCall for the race jersey’s awarded to the 1st place male and female.

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