We had a wonderful opportunity to race at San Francisco Triathlon at Treasure Island, November 11, 2007. Challenged Athletes Foundation (www.challengedathletes.com) and Tri-California Events, Inc.(www.tricalifornia.com), extended an invitation for challenged athletes, and we accepted. With the disappointment of Challenged Athletes San Diego Triathlon Challenge being canceled two weeks prior due to the California wildfires, we were anxious to have another chance to race before the year’s end. Our daughter Eleanor goes to UC/Berkeley, and it was an opportunity to visit her, too. It was our first time to do a complete triathlon out-of-town.

The next step was to line up race support. It turned out that was an easy step. I remembered that we had a contact in Northern California. Roger Mignosa, who lives in Southern California, had offered to race with Talmadge earlier in the year. Before Roger left for medical school in Vallejo, California, he said to give him a call if we ever wanted to race in Northern California. I remember offers such as his! I contacted Roger, and he said, “I would love to race with Talmadge!”

Treasure Island is a man-made island off (natural) Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco Bay. The two islands sit under the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge. The swim is in bay water, and the bike and run are absolutely flat.

Living in Southern California, we sometimes forget that other places have “weather.” At first, we didn’t consider that it would be cold—or rainy. But it was November, after all. When we learned that the water temperature was 52 degrees, we were a little taken aback. We made a trip to Tri-Zone and bought 2 pairs of booties and 2 hoods. We were ready for the swim, at least. Unfortunately—or fortunately—the swim had to be canceled due to an oil spill in the San Francisco Bay a few days before the race.

The day before our race, we met Roger and went to pick up our packet. We watched the pro race—in the rain. Talmadge’s coach, Julie Ertel, won the women’s pro race, and it was exciting to see her finish first. Roger had a chance to ride with Talmadge on the tandem, and we were able to review some of the course. I was a little nervous that the rain would continue.

That evening Ted, Talmadge’s dad, made a wonderful dinner for Eleanor and her housemates in Berkeley. Roger joined us, too. I think both Talmadge and Roger enjoyed being introduced to Eleanor’s (women) housemates. Ted made filet mignon, roasted vegetables, and garlic mashed potatoes for 10 guests that night, cooking in a teeny-tiny apartment kitchen while all of us watched the Cal/USC football game on TV. It was a great time. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to our hotel that night until about midnight, which gave us 4 ½ hours sleep before the race.

When we arrived at the course on Sunday morning, the weather was crisp and clear. Roger did a terrific job cycling and running with Talmadge. Talmadge did a terrific job, too, although he was a little tired!

Many thanks to Terry Davis and Tri-California Events, Inc., especially Dixie, Laura, and Ann, and to Lauren and Janna from Challenged Athletes Foundation for their support. You made it all possible. We are grateful for the opportunity to participate.