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Who can pass up an opportunity to swim in the Hudson River? Not I! It’s fast and dirty. An epic swim that can’t be replicated because each sighting breath brings the famous New York skyline into focus.

A few years back my daughter Christi Thomas passed away from a rare cancer. She was made famous in oncology circles in part through the work of webmaster Eric Cook and Christithomas.com. As we progressed through treatment we made close friends from around the world who had children with the same cancer. One by one all of the children that we knew died. As an offshoot of that experience several of the dads formed a group of commiserating guys that became known as Sad Dads. Two of them founded a charity dedicated to eradicating this disease Solvingkidscancer.org  The executive director and co-founder Scott Kennedy is pictured.

So all that is to say that in New York I raced on team Sad Dads promoting Solving Kids Cancer!!

It was raining in New York so everything that the city belched out came into the Hudson. The current was swift and the water was dirty.  As portrayed in the New York Times.

Remarkably I did the Olympic distance swim in 16.11. It took me over 5 minutes though to get to the transition. NYC is the longest run I have ever endured after a swim.

Team Sad Dads finished in style in the middle of chaotic Central Park followed by a relaxing brunch at Tavern on the Green.

Josh Haas here; if anyone has ever had a bad day of racing, they will relate to my performance in the Gull Lake Duathlon.  My first run went well and I was feeling strong into the bike leg which is my strongest discipline.  Knowing I still had a 10k run ahead of me and some hills on the back part of the bike course, I backed off hoping to leave enough in the tank.  Even with that, I was in 3rd position coming off the bike with high hopes of hitting the podium with Danny (knowing he’d likely do well).  That goal was shattered about a mile and a half into the second run when severe cramps took hold and refused to let go.  Not willing to give up, I began taking breaks and walking when necessary. 

Having recently been working through some knee issues, my running has been non-existent for the past few weeks.  I had hoped my base would sail me through the race ok but at the Olympic distance, I think that was probably a bad decision.  Having said that, I did finish (with roughly half of my second run being walked) and while this affected me mentally I did walk away looking at it as a great learning experience.

While this was my worst showing in a race yet, I still finished and felt that was the right thing to do to properly represent the WSI team.  A special thanks to the Katie Bridges for her encouragement during the second run and a huge thank you as always to Obewon (Danny) for being the consummate team mentor/coach.

-Josh

The plan for this season’s racing and training is with the intent of competing in RAAM 2015.  Each one of these races on its own is grueling, and done within five days, fits perfectly into a training program for RAAM.  I was the only WSI team member at the 24hr and yes; it was lonely at 3am. There were other teams  grouped up and I felt their energy as they whizzed by. Part of me was a little jealous, but deep down my defiant side  was deeply motivated to keep going.  The Lumberjack is a tough course, but so much fun because other WSI team members were there competing.  There were also team members and fans at the event supporting racers Eric Cook, Dan Frayer, and Jack Miner. What a difference in motivation between the 2 races!   I used my intrinsic desire to succeed solo aginst the world at the 24hr and my love for comraderie and shared suffering with friends at the Lumberjack.

Kathy Roche-Wallace

Josh Haas here; the 2014 State Time Trial Championship brought some good talent to a hilly, technical course in late June.  With three turnarounds and a short 16 miles ridden, it was an odd route that catered to the more technical riders.  It was certainly a learning experience for me and I felt I rode well given where my fitness level is currently. 

I missed the podium by 57 seconds and I placed 4th in my division.  I was happy with my performance and believe the hilly course did play to some of my strengths.  Pre-riding the course the night before was also very useful.  WSI was also represented by Danny Wolin and the time trial master podiumed with a 3rd place finish in his division.

I’m looking forward to next year.  The goal is to come in stronger and faster than ever with a podium finish.

-Josh

First few turns reminded me about the course and also why it is so important to pre-ride the course (which I didn’t).  I was hanging with the front guys, lost them half way through the first lap and then just blewup half way throughthe second lap.  I had a headache so bad that I was straining my eyes to focus on the down hills.  One of the guys in my group fell here and broke his helmet. He is okay, but a reminder as to why we wear helmets and why I needed to focus so intently on the course—nearly impossible with my head pounding.  I will save you the effort.  I finished 8/9 and the only guy I beat was in the med tent getting looked at with his broken helmet.

Top 10 Signs that You are finishing DFL (Dead Last) in your group (some of these I made up, some really happened to me today.)

1. The water hand up station is closed prior to your last lap.
2. When you finish, the photographers have already uploaded their pictures for purchase.
3. The results are posted before you finish (this actually happened today).
4. They ask you if anyone else is on the course when you finish.
5. The race organizers wonder how many course flags you picked up on your way in.
6. Neil  Sharphorne claps and says, “way to go old timer”!
7. The leaves have changed and they ask if you want a hunter’s safety vest for your last lap.
8. Your Gel Shots shelf life expires while you are riding.
9. The team sponsors change during the race.
10. 10. The end of winter party starts just as you cross the finish line.

I hate Addison Oaks….maybe next year.