Last weekend was collegiate nats, and since it was so close--Tempe AZ--and my parents and brother were going to be there, I decided to fly down for the weekend and do a small race on Sunday just for fun. It was the first time in my triathlon career not racing Nats which seems kinda sad, but I knew it was time to move on this year and I am glad I did. So, in all honesty, I was perfectly content to just watch this year.
And holy smokes was it exciting! Here is the swim taking off in Tempe Town Lake:
I was cheering my head off for the CU guys. It was exciting to watch them dominate but it was exceptionally impressive to watch Ben Kanute just have his way with the field after winning the draft legal race the day before.
Here is Davide coming out of the water wearing my old Xterra wetsuit! It got to experience one more nationals. Davide went on to crush it for about 7th overall.
Here is my boy Chris Braden aka Chris B Real coming through on the bike course:
And here is my Brother (actually my brother, who races for UVA) Augie after the finish.
AND in the girls race, new CU student and a friend of mine Michelle Mehnert ran away with the womens title by over a minute! She was untouchable. Also, CU ended up winning the overall team title for the 4th straight year.
Besides that my race was fun; not much to report after the excitement from Saturday.
While I was in Phoenix, my parents and I went and toured Frank Loyd Wright's winter home at Taliesin West. It was a pretty cool house--very modern--I think it seems less impressive on the surface because it was built in a style that is popular today. Whats amazing is that he did it 80 years ago essentially ushering in the current era of contemporary architecture. (We werent allowed to take pictures of the inside)
Great to see the family, watch my brother race, and my friends from CU dominate. I flew home to boulder just in time for a massive snowstorm--about the 4th one this month. We are due for more tomorrow too! When will it end. (Roommate Ginna scraping off her car)
My car. Buried. I think the same day it was like 85 back home in Virginia.
Oh yeah it was a busy week too. Among other adventures I got to see Band of Horses in concert at the Boulder Theater with Ginna. Amazing concert. I had an incredible vantage point too. Got some sweet pictures. It was a good cultural experience too--it always seems like all these weird people go to concerts.
I also just went to Provo last week for a catalysis conference at BYU (yes more traveling). As expected lots of crappy food, but I did win first place for the student presenters and won $200! I texted my brother that I was in Provo and that he would "dig it here" and the following conversation ensued. Anyone know the movie reference?? This is why I love my brother!
This week is gonna be nutso. I have my comprehensive exam on Thursday and then next Monday my environmental law final. If I am still alive, maybe spring will get its act together and stop dropping snow all over the place.
Rudy
