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July 18, 2003 as appeared in The Windsor Star by Len St. Louis, Lasalle, ON:
I must have fallen and bumped my head, because on July 5, at age 54, I entered my first triathlon, the Loaring Triathlon in Colchester.
To participate alongside some great athletes was a thrill, and indeed a privilege. I noticed them as they sped past me on the bike portion.
I did it for a good cause, and to prove to myself that I could accomplish something I thought unattainable. I wanted to have fun and to finish. I did both. Though badly outclassed, it was a remarkable experience. The Loaring family and sponsors did a remarkable job, as did the numerous volunteers.
July 18, 2003 by Lari Sabbe:
I was so pleased with the triathlon this year... I managed to make my goal of
under 1 hour (even though I think I made better time last year...next
year I will turn fifty just before july and I have asked my family to
join me at this function in honour of this event (ha ha) so time will
tell.. the massages where a nice touch and the weather was most
cooperative ... I had worried when the start time was in the aft as I
am a morning working out person and find the heat detrimental to my
well
being but things worked out well.... my husband and your neightbour
doug
balsillie (the fruit farm ) felt they did a great job too...they sat
beside the fruit wagon and cheered everyone as they passed by...both
ways on bikes and running.... they felt they did the triathlon three
times for everyone they encouraged (ha ha...all that cheering)! Again,
many thanks...and have a great year!
July 11, 2003 by Tina & Volker Winkler of McKenzie, TN:
Thanks so much for all the work you did on the triathlon. It was super! What a lovely weekend it was! Thank you so much for welcoming us with such warmth and generousity. We hope it will not be long before we meet again.
July 8, 2003 by Jay Johnson of Hamilton, ON:
Hello Charlotte and James,
I just wanted to say thank you for letting me be a part of such a
wonderful weekend. You both need to be commended on the high level of
organization and coordination that you both demonstrated, it was one of the smoothest
run triathlons that I have ever witnessed. You also have such a beautiful
family, it was a pleasure to be able to get to know them even for a short
time. Lastly I wanted to convey to you the importance and the love that you both
continually share with your friends and family through your devotion to such a
great event that honours your Mother at its centre. You are amazing people and
better yet, amazing kids that I am sure your parents are extremely proud of!
July 8, 2003 by Chad Jeffery:
Kudos to you, your family and team of volunteers for a great job on the weekend! The new time slot works well for me and for those I talked to (and ate and drank with) after the event. I hope you reached your fundraising goal and I look forward to returning (in better shape) next year.
July 7, 2003 by Candace Pickering, Windsor, ON:
Hey Charlotte!
WOW!! What a sight Saturday was...I was so totally impressed! Everyone at work has been asking about the tri and my answer has been "impressive!" You did a fantastic job. It must feel so great and so rewarding to have all your hard work pay off like that! Kudos to you!! We had a great time...hard not to! Everyone had a great time.
And tell Stephanie that After 5 rocked!
Thanks again for a great party and a truly wonderful experience...and I didn't even compete! Next year...
July 7, 2003 by Ginger Pollard:
Dear Charlotte and family,
It was great fun helping with the triathlon last Saturday. To most of the Rotarians that helped, as well as myself, it was our first exposure to the sport and we found it very entertaining and inspiring. On a personal note, I am next year going to try and persuade my son to give it a try as he is an avid bicyclist and loves many outdoor sports. The route also goes right by his home.
I am very excited about reporting to our club tomorrow night about the day and hope that we will be able to offer our assistance next year also.
I want to congratulate you and all your family and friends for organizing such a great event. It seemed to run very smoothly and that shows that there was great deal of preplanning.
Sincerely,
Ginger Pollard
Past President Rotary Club of Harrow
PS. I am also happy that our insurance company, Dillon Pudwell McNeill was a main sponsor this year and hope we will be able to do the same in the future.
All the best, GP
July 6, 2003 by Gina Wasserlein, Windsor, ON:
The reason why I am e-mailing you is to let you know how much I enjoyed my first TRIATHLON. I have always been a big chicken with the open water. I have only done small runs/ races 5kms and 1 10 k. Being a yoga instructor really calms me down... but I guess I needed to get the engine going again. I enjoyed the adrenaline rush and the self-talk dialogue going on within! " Slow down Gina, don't worry about anyone else... breathe breathe breathe!!!!" Sigh... I will definately be changing my workout routine! A little bit of swim bike run and of course yoga. It was a humbling day!
I am now definately going to broaden my horizons with duathlons and small triathlons. THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH FOR THE GREAT EXPERIENCE. Russ Yvon (Shannon's husband... shannon is a big tri competitor) comes to the yoga studio downtown and told me all about the triathlon... if it were not for him I would have never participated. It is funny how you meet the right people at the right times in life. I can't explain how wonderful the day was! The atmosphere, the cottage, and the people... it was just a nice feeling... I will definately be there next year and hope to meet you at another race somewhere. I am very happy for you ... you set a goal to start a triathlon at the cottage and you did it!! I know it is all for a good cause. My heart and prayers go out to you and your family.
Good luck with your training and your goals... may you enjoy every moment of the process.
July 20, 2002 by Jeff Lindsay of Windsor, ON:
"The Woodstock of triathlon"!
July 11, 2001 by Richard & Pauline Kniaziew, Leamington, ON:
Dear James, Charlotte, John, Elena;
Thank-you for the great job by all of you organizing and hosting the Loaring Triathlon.
It was one of the best I've been to. The friendliness, food, course-thewhole ambiance was exceptional!
Every detail was attended to & we had a wonderful time. The families that came with their athlete also enjoyed themselves.
Pat yourselves on your backs for a job well done!
July 12, 2000 by Jeff & Shelley McKee of Belle River, On:
We just wanted to say thank-you for putting on such a great triathlon. We had a great time! We thought everything was orgainized perfectly! We are looking forward to doing it again next year!
July 10, 2000 by Ron & Jeannie Parent of Tecumseh, On:
Your hospitality was exceptional and my wife and I will be back every year you host this wonderful event. This was our first triathlon and we are hooked. We have both done our share of marathons and like the variety this sport offers. We would like to express our sincere thanks for all the work that went into the event. Right down to the hand-made ribbons for the winners and the wonderful spread of food, this was by far the nicest event we have ever had the pleasure of participating in.
July 5, 2000, by Peter Zein of Michigan:
"Imagine the perfect race. Beautiful location, friendly supportive
spectators, great food, close to home, live band, Elvis sightings, water
fights"
July 5, 2000, by Vickie Baker of Michigan:
I would have to agree with the posts so far about this race. It
was one of the best races I have done in a long time. I'm hoping
to make it again next year.
My race was the double version or veteran's race. Veteran is a
misnomer for me, unless you are referring to doing battle with the
water as I do every race. While the first swim was death defying
for me, the second was most enjoyable. Enjoyable because it was
so nice to be able to get in that water after the hot bike/run.
Also enjoyable because by the time I reached the water the second
time, I was the only one in there! I really think this helped me
in my second half of the race, since the during the first I was
having trouble with the hamstring injury/hip flexor. Needless to
say, I had a first in a race--I came in last overall. Maybe I
should feel embarrased or disappointed or something, but I really
don't. I had no idea what I would be able to do and knew I had to pace
myself to do it twice. And even though I knew the whole second
half of the race I would be last, I didn't back down on the bike
or run, just kept going. I felt better the second time because I
had something to drink besides lake water too. And it really
wasn't hard getting done and doing it again. I was pacing myself
enough that I could have done it a third time, but am glad I
didn't have to. My second swim was a little long as I missed the
last buouy and actually cut the course in half, so had to go and
swim back to where I left off to do the whole thing. Probably
some time lost, but no big deal. When my son saw me come
in for the final finish, he thought I was first! What a sweetie!
But I can't help but admit I had to play the mind game that I was
in the lead the whole time, and no one was close to me.
My first half was 47xx, and my
total time was 1:44:59, so considering the longer swim and the
last transition, my halves were pretty even. Felt good enough to
run a 5k on July 4 and had my best time in 3 years.
I recommend this race to anyone who lives close enough to take
advantage of and enjoy it next year.
July 4, 2000, by Marc Barringer of Michigan:
My turn to chime in...
Race: Second Loaring Triathlon, Colchester ON, 7/2/00
Distance: 375m/10K/2.75K
I decided to subject my entire family to this triathlon insanity this
time. Barb decided it might be fun, particularly with guys in speedos.
The dynamic duo of Will and Zach were more than entertained by all the
people, foot rinse buckets, sand, snacks and general commotion. And Alex
just slept.
Did manage to find Shelly, Vickie and Peter before the start, and Sanjay
was, shall we say, A PRESENCE. He is gregarious and I will go to any
race he recommends in the future. I looked for Tony, but didn't see him
until his race was about to start.
Swim: Lake Erie decided to remind us it can get a little choppy. About 2
foot swells made it interesting. I got my first noseful of water
standing in the water waiting to start. The horn went off and I found
myself porposing and trying to figure out how to ride the swells to my
advantage. By the time I did, we hit the last turn, and I could ride
them in to T1.
T1-Hit the sand, washed some off and realized I was pushing harder than
I'd (ahem) trained. So I slowed, put on my shoes and took a deep belly
breath.
Bike- Took off and gave my bike its second trial by fire. Caught and
passed four people on mtn bikes in the first 200m, and about 20 others
in the next 2K. Only had one person make it by me, and I paced off him.
At 4K, we even had spectators: a group of Wild Turkeys, with a Tom
(male) at full display and his harem behind him. Caught a few others
going into the turn around. There appeared to be slight tailwind going
back, so started working out of the spinning gears and into the
grinders. Two really fast folks went by, and I chased and caught them,
and then, we hit slight downhill, but just enough for all the Clyde mass
I carry to do its job. Hammered all the way down, passed them, hit the
turn, and felt the back end wiggle. I look down and sure enough, its
going flat. Now, I'm about 1.5K from the finish, can see the flaggers,
and realized that my fastest tire change is over 4 minutes, so I make
the call: unclip, dismount, lose shoes, pick up the bike (I love light
bikes), get on the grass along the road, and run it in. Did the last
1.5K in about 8:30, in my bare feet. I did manage to meet the
paramedics, and thanked the volunteers.
T2- Well, my legs were warm from running. Hung up the bike (next to
Sanjay), and took off.
Run: Wasn't great, but wasn't bad either. Came out too fast, but slowed
to a easy pace. Only lost one position, and stopped to pet the collie
pup that wanted to play. Just paced it in nice and easy. Finished in
55:42. No idea where that is.
Post-race: Cheered Peter, Tony and Vickie in their veteran race. The
food layout was unbelievable. Burgers, Sausages, Garden Burgers and huge
tubs of salads. Got to play on the trampoline with my kids, and hang
with the dead a bit. Must hang with them more often. We did have to
leave before the awards, as the kids were getting sleepy. (In fact,
within getting into the van, both boys were asleep in five minutes,
before I was done loading up everything.
For any of you even remotely near us, this is a MUST do race. I've been
to "professional" races that were no where near as well organized or as
much fun. Many thanks to the entire Loaring clan.
Marc B
Trollathlete
July 3, 2000, by Tony Bares of Michigan:
Executive Version:
Beginners: 375m swim/10k bike/2.5k run
Vets did the course 2x
Race was held at the Loaring family Villa - a beautiful home on the Canadian
shore of Lake Erie.
Total Time: 1:16:and change.
Overall place: unknown.
First Place 25-29 ag (FLUKE!)
Choppy swim, relatively flat bike (for me), gravel-filled run.
Tolstoy Version:
PRELUDE:
I signed up for the vets race looking to see what it would feel like to come
in off of a run and pop back into the water all out of breath.
As the fellow Tri-Deads I met found out, I don't train as much as I should.
So I planned on getting through as well as I could and just let the chips
fall where they may.
I woke up at 6:00 planning to get on the road by 6:45 or so for the hour and
a half drive across the US/Canada border and East of Windsor, Ontario. I
packed in a rush as I had been at a Fourth of July party until late on
Saturday night. After a wrong turn in Windsor, we arrived at the race site
about an hour earlier than we needed to be there - much to my wife's
chagrin. During setup, I realized that I had forgotten that oh-so-important
bicycle helmet required for competition that day... ARGGGGHH!!! I'm such a
TOOL!!! That's what half-assed training will get you - half-assed
preparation. (Visions of myself running around the TA yelling HELMUT!!
HELMUT!! sprang into my head)
Since Sanjay was doing the beginner's race, he allowed me to wear his lid
for the vets race. WHEW!!!
The race was being put on by two young Canadian Triathletes, James and
Charlotte Loaring. The event took place at their parent's incredible home on
the shores of Lake Erie. What wonderful people to open their home to
approximately 50 loose acquaintences and about 50 more strangers! They were
so gracious!
The beginners race went off and we saw Shelley McKee and her husband, Marc
Barringer, and Sanjay Gupta take off into the surf-like conditions on Lake
Erie. I was a bit concerned about this as my swimming has never been in
anything bigger than minor surface chop - even though I had five summers of
swimming lessons in a lake near my boyhood home. At any rate, I was much
relieved to see most competitors walking along and doing the 'dolphin' dive
during some sections of the swim course. At least I'd be able to stand up
if I got all out of whack.
The fellow Tri-Deads looked good in their race - Marc had another flat, but
that's his story to tell. Then it was time for Peter Zein, Vicky Baker, and
myself to get ready for the vets race. Sanjay gave us some sage advice
about where to swim and where to dolphin on the course so I felt a little
mor confident.
SWIM1:
The gun went off and I tried to find a hole in the fracas to swim but with
the waves, it didn't seem to work out until I rounded the first buoy and I
got out to the outside of the pack. I found swimming in the rollers ok as I
was able to breathe on either side. As my watch had died earlier in the
week, and my training was in the toilet, I had decided to not worry about
splits. So I came out of the water feeling pretty good- but not great.
BIKE1:
Got through the TA pretty well as I didn't put a shirt on. Peter Z and I
went out of the TA close together and I got out ahead a bit as I had gotten
my shoes on first - but he caught me within a minute or two. The course was
5k out and back on a pretty flat road with little to no headwind. So I just
got into a gear I felt I could spin pretty hard and still do the whole thing
again. Peter was still in sight but about 30s ahead so we passed a whole
pile of people on the way out. The turnaround was pretty good for me as I
hammered right up to it and clamped on the brakes and used the mountain bike
technique of shifting my weight backwards - incidentally passing three
people. I made the turn ok but I heard someone else behind me not make the
turn. I didn't look back but I did feel bad that somehow I had caused the
poor soul some problem entering the turn. Hammered on home averaging about
2mph faster on the way in.
RUN1:
Got to the TA still within sight of Peter and thought it might be nice to
have someone to run with. I got my bike racked and found that I had put my
elastic laces in my shoes too tight... YIKES! After about 30 sec. of
squirming, I got my feet in the shoes and took off. I had no idea where
anyone was at this point so I just ran as controlled as possible reminding
myself that I had to do it all over again. The run was partially on some
gravel roads and I felt that I would have liked my trail shoes better for
this portion of the race.
SWIM2:
Got into TA, ripped off shoes, grabbed cap & goggles, ran down to the lake
and promptly plopped in... Splat! My lazy self said, "This feels nice, why
don't you just splash around in here for a while and then go have a soda?"
But I wanted to finish so I wiggled the cap on and put my goggles on and
struggled through the swim. I think I inhaled a lot more water on the
second trip around even though I was all by myself.
BIKE2:
In a 'regular' triathlon, one never thinks about what gear they leave the
bike in at the Bike-run transition. And I had left the gears set up to be
cruising @ 21mph instead of starting from a stop. That was the only hangup.
Otherwise, pretty uneventful - I didn't pass anyone, no one passed me.
Maybe a little faster than before.
RUN2:
Got the shoes on a little faster than before, caught two guys right out of
transition and cruised on by them. Raced as hard as I could without getting
my heart rate into the percieved anaerobic threshold area. I saved that for
the last 500 meters or so.
FINAL:
Ended up finishing hard, 1hour, 16min. and some-odd seconds. I didn't
really leave anything out on the course, nearly threw up after the finish.
The post race party was a ball, Peter, Sanjay, my wife, Amy, and I sat
around jabbering for a while - Sanjay tended to flit around like the social
butterfly that he is. :) He know's every triathlete in Canada! :) Well,
you know what I mean.
I was really shocked to learn that I had won my AG when they announced
results. I don't know what the demographic makeup was but I'm assuming
there weren't too many 25-29 age groupers there.
On the ride home, I was basking in the glory of my 'win', how I felt that I
truly did negative split the course, that I think I was catching James
Loaring... when Amy gave me a big dose of reality by saying, "There weren't
any other people in your age group! You didn't train for the race! How can
you say that you were catching him?"
So Bob Mina cannot say that he's a Poseur. I am the TRUE Poseur!
Best,
Tony, "I train by riding/running 2.5mi to work, stand for 12 hours with 25#
of lead sheilding on, and then ride/run home again" Bares
July 25, 1999 by the Linton Family, Cottam, ON:
Dear Loaring Family:
I wanted to take the time to thank you for all the effort you put into today. I know how much work was involved.
As far as I could see, the race went off without a hitch. Everyone there clearly had a wonderful time. It was written all over there faces. The food was incredible-an excellent variety and so much of it. Please, also, pass our thank you onto the volunteers of the day.
You have a beautiful piece of property and it takes special people to open it up to strangers the way you did. Every effort was made to make us all feel welcome. The thing is, I don't think it was much effort for any of you-it seemed to come so naturally.
I'm glad the time was taken to give a special thank you to Barb White-Letwin. She went beyond what any volunteer I've ever seen do. She was most energetic, enthusiastic, and encouraging to every competitor that passed her way-every time they passed.
I would like to give you a special thank you for the attention paid to my children while there. They really enjoyed playing with the water guns, swimming at your beach and jumping on the trampoline. (My daughter wants to know when you're selling your house so we can buy it (haha).)
Again, I appreciate your providing so many people with such a wonderful day.
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