1999 Caney Lake Triathlon

The Grand Prix is downtown hill since Downtown Tri. Five races down and
four to go. There isn't a better way to start the second half than to
travel to Minden for the Caney Lake Triathlon. Although it was very hot
the race went quite well. Amazingly the swim was the hotest of the three
events. I mean it was bath water hot and all that was missing was the
soap. I imagine the water temp was in the upper 80's. You kept waiting
for a cool spot but it just didn't happen. Fortunately it was just a third
of a mile and was over quick. The strange thing was that the bike actually
felt cool. It is a very challenging out and back course that has a very
challenging two miles just before the turn around. If you've done Caney
before there was a change from the two previous years because of road
repair and road quality. I would say this was the toughest. But the
traffic is light and the roads for the most part are smooth. It is also a
shady 18 mile ride. The 5 K run is also a challenging with some nice heat
and even nicer hills. It is also shady for the most part too. I'm just
glad they took out the cross country part, it was really tough.
This race has one of the nicest settings for a Triathlon. A woody park
with lots of shade and a relaxed atmosphere. The MC's are outrageous. I
am bias when it comes to Caney. Since my first race there I look forward
to it every year. The goody bag is one of the best in the state. It's
always full of usable surprises and the eats are always great and
plentiful. But next year guys don't forget the watermelon.
Patrick Marr was the overall winner on the men's side follwed by John
Deshotel. John had some problems on the run but put together a strong bike
and all in all a good race. I think he's just saving it for Shreveport,
right John. Laurie Davidson was the women's champion and as usual running
her way to victory. Maybe we can lure her to Cajunman. It was a small but
fun race. Oh and by the was it ranks high on my list by having twelve
Port-O-Lets, can't beat that. See y'all in Shreveport.
Jerry

1999 Crawfishman Triathlon Commentary
By: Jerry Richard
May 2, 1999

You couldn't ask for better weather. It was near 70 degrees at the start with water temperature at 75 degrees. If there's one thing I really like about Crawfishman it's the swim. I would venture to say that the majority of that swim is one long straight point to point shot. It must be in the neighborhood of 800 meters of the 1000 meter swim. The water was perfect for swimming hard and still some wore wetsuits. Unbelieveable. It seemed as though the course was a tad long and Steve, no more orange swim caps with orange buoys. I kept swimming for heads. But really the swim there is so wide open with only slight congestion at the start for the first 100 meters and then it's put it in cruise. The transition area is on grass and easy on the feet. There were plenty of bike racks for the 258 competitors and very well organized by the volunteers. John Deshotel was ushering us at the bike exit/entrance. It was cool at first on the bike and stayed comfortable thoughout the whole 20 mile ride. The course is relatively flat or flat to those from north LA. Out and back with a slight dogleg to ease congestion on the way back. Pretty fast too. The roads were in good shape without too many rough spots and light traffic. The run course is 4 miles out and back though a grassy kind of swampy area along the river and flat. It's usually muggy hot but this year it was actually cool. It seemed as though every time you started to heat up a cool breeze would cool you down. It was no problem for Chris Eschbach who was first overall with a time of just under 1 hour and 24 minutes. Mike Sooder the winner of the LA Tri in New Roads was a little over a minute behind for second place. Kathleen Schully from Shreveport took the honor of first woman finisher. You north LA triathlete should try this race sometime. I know most are going to Panama City but do as Kevin Cart from Lake Charles did. Do Crawfishman on the way to a week in Florida. Masters racers Lawrence Cohen and Chuck Farrell were there. Great now I have Chuck Farrell in my age group. It's time to turn 50. The race was well orginzed by Steve, Tommy, return residence and old friends Mark & Kirsty Salvetti and many others. I had the privilege of helping with race day packet preparation the night before and saw it was a real headache. I have more respect for Darcy Becks and all the other assistants blessed with that job, you too Kirsty. This year as you'll see there are actually results. Thanks too Farrell Lebouef. He did have a few problems but as I was leaving he was steadily weeding them out. Seems as though some didn't have their race numbers at the finish. Call it a learning experience for next year. I've done quite a few races the past two years but I can't remember one with nicer weather. It just really cooperated. Oh yea, we were all in awe of John Deshotels shirt from the Tiger Tri in Baton Rouge the day before in which John took top honors. It was a really nice tie dye that made me wish I had doubled up that weekend.

1999 Tinman Triathlon Commentary
By: Jerry Richard
April 18, 1999

Well let's start the Triathlon season off with a bang. Masters triathletes Mike Hutcheson, Fred Thompson, Sam Vanni and a host of others put on a fine race. Cross Park made a great race site. The race started off a bit chilly with a temperature of 40 degrees in the outside air and a water temperature of near 60 degrees. Once you braved the cold water and got going it wasn't too bad. The bike course was rolling hills with a few tough climbs but all in all pretty fast. The traffic was light and seemingly friendly. I'll have to admit I had goose bumps on my thighs for the first five miles. The run course was slightly hilly but comfortable.

Each turn or crossing had a volunteer to direct you. For those that didn't make the race you also missed out on a really nice packet that included a TYR Triathlon gear bag. Those North LA races always have nice goodies. After the race there was a band, pizza, bagels, cookies, sandwiches, crawfish ettoufe, red beans & rice, fruit and a variety of drinks. I started to ask for a doggy bag when I was leaving.  And of course the way I personally rate a race, lots of port-o-lets. Julie Ricketts ran off with the top overall finisher award with a time of 2:01. She seems to be in excellent shape this year. The nearest male finisher came in at 2:06. The race was great all around. Well organized especially for a first race. I hope Mike and Co. will keep this race going and I know they'll work to inprove it next year. I will be there. I plan on doing all of the Grand Prix races and let y'all know how they went.

1999 Louisiana Triathlon Commentary
By: Jerry Richard
April 25, 1999

Well number 2 of the Grand Prix is completed. The bright spot of the race was a water temperature 12 degrees warmer that Tin Man. The low spot was atraffic jam on the first leg of the bike. But that's racing. We can't always have perfect conditions for every race. It's was a great day for the race with comfortable temperatures, ample bike racks and good rest room facilities. Of course Kenny Dunaway was his usual cheerful self and amaster, master of ceremonies. And by the way Kenny thanks for the wave starts it really made the swim, which was probably a tad short, a littleeasier. The bike ride was better on the backside of the river and a bit interesting as I'll explain later. The run at that race always seems to beendless and although a bit hot at first there seem to be a little cloud cover that cooled it down for a while. Mike Sooter was the overall winnerout pacing last years winner Matt Patout. Of course I really like the towels given as awards. I needed one. There was also Kenny's dedicationof the race to Tammy Deshotel who was there to help. For those who didn't make it she is doing great and is getting healthier by the day. John hasgotten fat however and is considering retirement or a comeback, he can't decide. I'll put my money on Tammy deciding for him. Ed Bulliard had somephysical problems after the race and was taken away by Acadian Ambulance. He was waving to everyone as he left and seemed okay. Maybe Kenny willsend everyone an update on him. All in all the race was a normal LA Tri with just under 200 participants and lots of fun.

"If you love the sport, play by the rules." At the turn around on the bike ride I noticed three riders in a "PACK" about a quarter of a mile ahead of me. This is usually common at the turn around in an out and back race. However the pack never split up. As I got closer it seemed the lead turnover was about every 1 to 2 miles and the tail rider always seemed to keep looking back. When I looked behind me there was no one within a quarter mile. I'm 49 years old and don't wear glasses or contacts. Duh! In my aero position I glanced down at my thighs and said to them, "they're trying to get away from you". Motivation set in. I train with riders fromSir Speedy and Cajun Cyclist. When the pack takes off it just makes my mouth water. I knew why but not who. I hammered and by the time I got onthe last stretch of the bike ride had caught them and knew their numbers. After the run I approached Kenny and told him of my chase of these guys butthere wasn't much he could do. Triathlons and Duathlons are a sport for individuals and individual accomplishments. Drafting is for team cyclingand in an individual sport down right "CHEATING". This is something you expect from first timers who know no better or someone not in contention ofwinning an award that just needs a leg break. It was later during the awards that I learned all three of this pack got substantial awards two ofwhich were in my age group. I wasn't the only Lafayette triathlete that was affected by these guys either. Chuck Rush and I bike train togetherwith a group of Lafayette riders and push ourselves hard to be competitive "Triathletes". We compete against each other. In a regional race likeMemphis in May drafting for 8 miles would be spelled "DQ". In a small race as LA Tri it takes morals and honesty to stay within the rules. If therules are too hard to follow find a new sport. Maybe it was a misunderstanding. Drafting distance is three bike lengths from the frontof your wheel the rear wheel of the bike in front of you not three bikes in a row. Comments were made to me during the run that I now understand.Along with my normal forwarding of these race analysis I am also sending this to all other race directors in the Grand Prix series. Those numberswere #50, #71 & #84. Maybe placing each in separate wave would solve the problem.

Jerry #103

Bare Bones Tri # 1
Results
April 25, 1999

First of all I'd like to thank Kenny Dunaway for including this Bare Bones race in the Grand Prix series. It is a small race that most of us use to hone our skills for the bigger races. It is an inexpensive way for beginners to try their hand at a new sport with suggestions and help from some more experienced racers. I have always felt at home at all the Bare Bones races and at ease with the field of competitors. It was the same at BB Tri #1. Mark and Diane put on a very fine race last Sunday. I don't think they expected the 75 entrants for the race but handled it well. The water was comparable the LA Tri, about 72 degrees and felt great as you were swimming. I can't believe some wore wetsuits. Beyond popular belief no one came out of the water glowing green. Charles Stewart didn't even have stomach problems from the water. The bike course I call the figuire 9 was flat and fast. People always seem to hammer this short course even those who had raced the day before such as the overall winner Kevin Cart. The run course was changed this year to eliminate some the traffic on the last leg down Prien Lake Road. For those veterans that weren't there it is now an out and back. The same route except now instead of turning left on the street before Prien you U turn at that corner. The first BB Tri I did in 96' I believe I missed the turn after the bridge, actually I was following someone who missed it and ran about 3/4's of a mile too far. Bummer. There was even a 2 wave start which helps beginners and cuts down on the slapping and grabbing on the swim. If you were lucky and hung around long enough Barry was having a little Crawfish get together. I'm sorry I missed it Barry but thanks for the invite. My afternoon was pretty hectic. That was race number three in the series in two weeks time with six more to go. I've been fortunate enough to do all three but I'm not the only one from the area that has. If you get a chance check out the results of the races we've done pretty well and maybe we can see a Deshotel in the results soon. Confidentially, he's been training lately. Hey, what happened to Guy Sylvester? Again thanks Mark and Diane and all those envolved in the Bare Bones series from the volunteers to the participants to Dr. David Duhon for the shirts. It's always fun. Oh, Diane don'tforget my shirt for BB Tri #3.

*The opinions expressed on this page are solely those of Jerry Richard.