Rosie Thompson
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Photo by Dave Gonzalez

Goleta Beach Triathlon (Aquabike) by Rosie Thompson

I had never done GBT as it conflicted with Vineman Aquabike, or I volunteered, so this year I signed up to race the aquabike and volunteered to do body marking. The alarm went off Sunday morning at 0 dark thirty (4:00 AM) so I could be there by 5:00. Spent about 2 hours checking racers and bikes into transition (bar end plugs, numbers, helmets, etc.) and marking bodies before getting myself ready to race. It was foggy, but the large, bright buoys marking the course were quite visible.

My wave was last, and at 8:15 we were off! My arms did not really want to swim, probably because I had just returned from 9 days in Alaska with no swimming, but I plugged along and finally finished the swim. My wetsuit came off reasonably easy for once, and then it was out of T1 for the bike leg of the race. I wore my Power of Your OM Yoga bright orange shirt over my SB Tri kit for the bike and had a temporary tattoo on my left arm since I am a sponsored athlete.

Photo by Jon Goodman

Photo by Jon Goodman

My husband did not recognize me in the orange shirt the first time I passed him at Puente and the bikepath but did the next three times I passed. The bike course was fun but bumpy in places. Luckily I ride this route twice a week so knew all the bumps. The volunteers were amazing with great directions and lots of cheering. I met my goal of finishing in less than 2 hours (1:43:12) and had fun. It was wonderful seeing so many people out racing!!! Thanks to Jerrett and Kristin (and everyone else who helped) for all your work to put this race on!