More communion than bravado

Fun-loving spirit pervades Bravado Challenge

by Amanda Tikalsky

Although both the Minnesota Border to Border and Bravado Challenge triathlons in the May issue include paddling legs, most triathlons have open-water swimming in their format, such as at the Waupaca Area Triathlon where the adult men take their marks. Many triathlons include kids races with age-appropriate distances for the swim, bike and run. Here older kids at the Green Bay Triathlon hit the water running.

The morning dawned cool, but like most summer days in Wisconsin, there was the promise of hot, sticky weather. I was in line to register for my first ever triathlon. This wasn't any triathlon though. This was the Bravado Challenge, a run/bike/canoe race. The best part about the event was that I could do it as a team with my husband

Our friends, Amy and Chad, convinced us to do the race. The distance sounded doable to me. It consisted of a 3.5-mile run on the lce Age Trail, an 8-mile bike ride on the Glacial-Drumlin Trail and a 4-mile paddle on the Fox River. The race benefits Lutheran Social Services' "Birth to Three" program which helps families cover the cost of therapy for their developmentally delayed children.

Once we got all of our gear to the designated transition areas, we headed to Fox River Park in Waukesha to await a bus that would take all of the competitors to the starting line.

While we waited, we heard veterans of the 8-year-old race speak of how important it would be to set a good pace and only push hard at the most opportune times. They freely shared advice with anyone who was near. Newbies like me simply wanted to do our best and have a good time.

As our competition filed onto the bus, I could see it included athletes of all shapes, sizes, ages and fitness levels. But everyone exuded excitement as we chugged to Lapham Peak State Park in Delafield for the start of the race.

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The humidity was already building as we gathered at the starting line. Eventually, race director Tim Held wished us a good race and blew the horn. The mass of participants began the steep climb to the tower of Lapham Peak. Because the short stretch of the Ice Age Trail climbed 1,200 feet, we interspersed our jogging with walking. Nonetheless, my husband and I felt strong, and it showed in our run.

With our last push to the summit, an older gentleman reminded us to step lightly. Exposed roots and loose rocks waited to trip you up. One woman, sidelined with a twisted ankle, had found out the hard way.

As we descended from the peak, it was like entering a South American rainforest (minus the shrieks of monkeys). The mud and humidity transformed the skinny trail through the lush forest in our hometown into something we hardly recognized. Suddenly bright sunlight hit our faces as we left the forest canopy, bounded over a rise and onto the paved Glacial Drumlin Trail. Held popped up at the transition area to cheer us all on.

Familiar with this bike trail, we knew we'd have the wind at our backs and the slight downhill grade leading into Waukesha. And that's what we got. Riding comfortably, my friend Amy and I took some time to chat.

After a quick snack of pretzels at the final transition area, we loaded into our canoes and slid into the slow-moving, murky Fox River. Held and his volunteers helped steady canoes and get people safely into the water. So frequently did Held show up along the course, I started to suspect he had a twin.

My spouse and I both knew the canoe would be our weakest leg. We had only practiced a handful of times. But we didn't lose hope, even when passed by a couple with a young child in tow. We kept to the course, dodged a few raindrops before hitting the shore and finish line at Fox River Park where we began the day. Held personally helped us out of our canoe. Now that I think about it, he must be a triplet.

I was immediately struck not by the realization I had finished my first triathlon but with what an experience it had been. Held's organization assisted us throughout. Competitors encouraged one another. A sense of community permeated the entire day.

Everyone there could have kept their heads down and blinders on, focused only on their race performances. But what I encountered at the Bravado Challenge was constant support from perfect strangers. In turn, I applaud them and everyone who made the race, my first triathlon, so fulfilling.

Amanda Tikalsky is an avid runner, bicyclist and a personal trainer in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. More information about the Bravado Challenge, which is set for June 7, can be found at www.bravadochallenge .org.