One Clydesdale’s Journey

Well, as the season winds down we approach the biggest race of the year. The one that Shelly and I train for all year long.

It is our nemesis and yet at the same time the race we look forward to every year now as well.

I’m of course talking about the Devil’s Challenge Triathlon. The one race that everyone in the Triathlon community knows about whether they done it or.

For me; it’s my last race of the season, for Shelly, she will have one more left.

And as of tonight Shelly and I are now registered and ready to take on the challenge.

When it comes to this race there only seems to be two schools of thought when it comes to this race; you either hate it and you never want to do it again or you love it (in a strange love / hate sort of way) and can’t wait for the challenge each year.

The biggest reason for the first school of thought is the hills on the bike course. And by hills, I mean all the hills that are on the course! It’s not uphill all the way, but at times it feels that way. In reality there are some killer downhill runs that let you get up some serious (and I do mean serious) speed.

Last year on the old Grocery Getter I believe I topped 40 MPH. This year with the new speed machine (I’m still working on the name) I have no idea what speed I could reach, but I’ll let you know.

The other reason people tend to hate this race is the weather. Late September in northern Wisconsin can mean only one thing, cold harsh and unpredictable. And that is exactly what it has been the last two years that we’ve been going to this race.

Now the reasons why people love this race (in a weird triathlete sort of way) is for exactly the same reasons that I just gave you.

The hills challenge you to always have them in mind no matter what other race you are training for because they are there just waiting. And the weather forces you to be prepared no matter what.

The biggest thing someone needs to keep in mind when it comes to this race is that you are NOT racing against the other triathletes, you are racing against yourself!

If it is your first year doing the race then all you are really doing is establishing your baseline. If you’ve already run the race, then you are trying to beat that baseline and create a new PR that year.

That’s all, nothing more, nothing less. If you get more out of it, like winning your division, then that’s great. But if you don’t, then no big deal.

I believe this is the one race that can really keep you grounded and remind you that the sport of triathlon is not about winning, but about improving yourself.

And that, more than anything else, is what makes this race a great one to participate in.

Later,
John W.
A Clydesdale in training