Becca and I conspired to not let Heather and Wattie know that I was arriving. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate...the usual 8 to 9 hour travel turned in to a 15 hour ordeal! 2 mechanical problems, plus a 2 hour airport shut down due to weather turned the day in to some serious stress
levels!!!! I was thrilled to finally be in sunny, warm weather!
We had a great visit, and left very early Sunday morning to travel up to watch Heather compete at the Escape from Alcatraz. It was gray and overcast when we arrived, and not terribly warm. The boat was already headed out to Alcatraz. The water temperature was 51 degrees, almost the same temp. as the air! There were swells, and it looked, really, really far!
The boat is on the right!
As we watched the boat, it actually appeared to tip towards us as the athletes prepared to jump in the water. We were unable to see the athletes actually jumping in to the water. I paced, Becca paced....I even bothered some poor guy who was using binoculars - to the point that he finally very nicely offered to let me use them for a minute!
Pre-race anticipation/stress!!!
We finally spotted the swimmers, who seemed to bob up and down in the swells. After watching for a few minutes, we headed down to the swim exit, which was down to our left about half a mile. The Pro men started coming through the arch and heading down the exit for the half mile run to T1. Then the Pro women began to appear! Many of the ITU racers came out first, and then a few long course racers that I recognized. Out came Leanda Cave, and shortly after that came Heather! She was in 11th or 12th place- at that point I had lost count due to serious mom-type stress levels! For the first time since arriving I was able to actually breathe!!! I was so relieved that she was safe! Yes, that's what Mothers do!
Becca and I moved over to the transition and watched the athletes start to come in on their bikes. It was really fun to see the pro's come flying in on their bikes and then taking off out of transition! First woman in was Sarah Groff! Yay, NH athletes! Shortly after came Heather! She was easy to pick out in her really sharp new kit! The green looks awesome, and the matching Kask helmet is very cool! I tried to take some photos, but have to say, did a terrible job. Sorry no pics of the Green Machine!
Next we moved over to the grandstand. John, Becca, Scout and I went up on to the metal bleachers. Oops, Scout is not a fan of metal footing! I stayed on the stands while the others went around the side. (poor Scout)
There were updates as the race progressed...someone was sending in splits at the Sand Ladder. The athletes have to run along the beach and then up 400 steps to exit the beach. As the splits came in, there was some ambiguity as to who was in front in the women's race. When they reached the end of the finish chute, Heather was in front! The green was easy to pick out!
The finish chute from the grand stand before the finishers arrived!
As she approached the finish line, she took a quick check back with a great smile on her face.
It was so exciting to be able to watch her race! I was definitely the proud momma!
Post race interviews!
Shortly after the end of the race, I had to run back to the host hotel to grab the Super Shuttle to get back to San Jose Airport...I made it with some time to spare, and then was back on the eastbound flight headed home!
To sum it up, it was an amazing day of highs and lows- the excitement of the race, the stress of a very difficult swim, the high of seeing her ecstatic face when she crossed the line!
Thanks to John, Becca and Scout for your wonderful hospitality! Good times running in Nisene Marks State Park, the hills along the beach, the dolphins, great food, marvelous day sailing in Monterey Bay, and coffee on the deck in the early morning!
I love that you not only get to be an athlete yourself, but get to watch your kids do the things they love and get better and better with each day. So rewarding to be a part of that!!! Keep the posts coming :)
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