Wanderers Pick Up Hardware At Philadelphia Women's Triathlon & Duathlon

July 8, 2007 – It was a hot and humid day, but despite the wilting weather, two Wanderers managed to score some impressive hardware at the second annual Philadelphia Women's Triathlon & Duathlon.  Kristina Butcher placed second in her age group in the triathlon event, with a total time of 1:25:33, and Leslie Turchetti placed first in the Athena division of the duathlon with a total time of 2:10:42.

Following is Leslie's race report:

Okay, so I have only DNF'ed one race - EVER - in my whole entire life. I'll be the first to admit that there were plenty of races I maybe should have dnf'ed (just in the interest of saving face), but it's only ever actually happened once. Well, this past Sunday, I returned to the scene of the crime to settle up the debt.

This year's Philadelphia Women's Triathlon & Duathlon was a bit different from last year's. First, there were almost double the amount of participants - about 1,100. This change in numbers caused the course to be changed as well. It also made for a more crowded transition area, but the race organizers were smart and arranged everything by number, so you didn't have to jockey for positions on the bike racks.

This year I registered for the duathlon, due to the fact that I have not gotten in any practice swimming sessions all year. On the first run, a 2-mile out and back on West River Drive, I started out a bit fast, well fast for me that is. I looked down at my watch right before the turnaround point and it read 9:58. I almost fell over. On a good day, I can run an 11 minute mile, but never do I run 10 minute miles. My posted time for the first run ended up being 21:34, which I am still shocked over.

I ran into the transition area, and was able to turn it around pretty quickly - 1 minute, 58 seconds - and then it was out onto the bike course. The bike leg consisted of 17 miles around the River Drives. It was a pretty fast course, except for one or two hills. I had a bit of anxiety about this leg for two reasons - first, in an earlier practice session, I had lost my chain twice around the Falls Bridge; and second, because, well, I really have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to cycling. I just kind of shift until my pedal speed feels right. I keep vowing to change that, and hopefully by the end of the summer I will. At any rate, I was able to pass several people on the bike leg so I must know just enough to get me through. I finished the bike up in 1 hour, 6 minutes and headed to the second transition, and that's where things got a little dicey.

It was about 90 degrees, and the moment I dismounted from my bike, I knew that my legs were in a bit of trouble. It was something more than just the usual "jello legs" from the bike to run transition. But I ran into the transition area, racked the bike, had half a goo pack and some water, donned my running cap to shield out the blazing sun, and trotted/hobbled/shuffled out to the second run course.

By this time, everyone out on the run looked like they were suffering, and I must admit that in some small way this made me feel good, since it wasn't just me ready to collapse. I must have looked pretty bad since a few yards down, Matt ran up to me from his spot on the other side of the transition area and cheered me on - I'm sure I looked like I might fall over at any moment. I mumbled a sort of thank you and kept staggering on, feeling as though my legs weren't really moving at all. I kept going, waiting for the inevitable bounce back feeling but it wasn't coming. Further down the course, on the vast, exposed wasteland that is West River Drive, everyone looked sunburned and beat. But we all trotted on, including a woman wearing a bright pink feather boa, and two women in full burkas - after seeing that, I realized I shouldn't complain about the heat. After the turnaround my spirits picked up a bit, and with a half mile to go I actually started to feel good. I tried my hardest to muster a sprint at the finish, but could only half manage it. I really had nothing left to give.

I finished, accepted my finishers medal and a warm bottle of water, and met up with Matt. We enjoyed the post-race buffet, complete with french toast and water ice, and cooled down by chatting with Dan, Matt's adventure-challenge buddy. We made plans to leave, but were waylaid by talking to everyone, which is a good thing, since out of the blue, as the awards were being handed out, I heard my name called. There was a micro-second of silence between us, then I said to Matt, "was that my name?!?," to which he replied that it was. Well, you would have thought they were awarding me the Nobel Prize the way I sprinted up to the podium. I had won an award for my division - Athena. Of course what happened next is true Leslie form. I ran up to the podium and proudly stated, "here I am!" The man giving out the award asked me if I came in third place. Astounded that I had even placed at all (and since I did not actually hear anything but my name), I said yes. So, I was given the bronze medal. Of course I looked up the awards this morning and noticed that I had not placed third - I CAME IN FIRST!

So, that's two awards in two events that I managed to mess up. But oh well - bronze, gold, whatever. At least this time I accepted the award in front of real, live people! And I have a photo to prove it.

Event Photos

Lola at the end of the biking portion of the race.

And in the transition area.

Just after the finish

And after picking up all her hardware including the 1st Place Athena Award.

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