Triathlon Team: Dave Miller, Rosie Miller, Jacque Kelly
Date: September 11, 2021
Named for the famous urban legend cryptid that was reported by police officers in 1972, the triathlon consisted of a 5 mile kayak, 8 mile bike and 5K run. Since this was month 13 since my bone marrow transplant and although my energy level was good, my immune system was low. I debated doing this event until fall of 2022. However, Jacque & Rosie talked me into it since I had been hiking 2 to 7 miles, bicycling 24 to 30 miles and kayaking once a week. So, I thought I would try it for fun providing I stayed isolated from other athletes. We obtained permission to not sit on the crowded buses as Jacque drove her car to the kayak starting point at Carl Rahe Access Park.
The triathlon began upriver on the scenic Little Miami River. We were in Wave 19 & 20. Every three minutes a new wave of five kayaks entered the water. The river had some curves and small whitewater surges. It took us one hour and 16 minutes of consistent paddling to cover five miles. In the middle of the river near the end was a canoe with a four foot tall stuffed Frog Man sitting in it.
We hopped out of our kayaks, dropped off paddles and life jackets and jogged 50 yards to the bike stalls. Quickly changing wet socks and shoes we biked onto the very busy Little Miami River Bike Trail. The trail was very shady and cool with much tree cover. After two miles Rosie spurted ahead of us. After a fast bike ride, we transitioned to the 5K Run. I could not run that far so I would walk a fast quarter mile and then run a hundred yards and then walk again. Rosie twisted her ankle about a mile into the run but still managed to win her 60 & Over age group in 2 hours 45 minutes. Jacque slowed down & stayed with me the entire 5K. Jacque finished in 3 hours and 1 minute, and I proudly finished with a time of 3 hours and 3 minutes. Thank you, God, for healing me enough to be able to compete in this event.
