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

Seem like ages since Crawfishman and here we are back on the race course. This is the way to start getting back in the Tri mode. If any of you Tri guys haven't done Downtown Triathlon in Natchitoches you're really missing a well organized and all around fun race. The setting is one of the nicest of the in city races. I don't think Carol expected the 270 participants she ended up with but everything went smooth and without incident. The swim is 1/3 mile and great for first timers. The only swim I know of that uses beach balls for markers but I'll have to admit they were pretty easy to spot. The water was quite comfortable for as hot as it was the past couple of weeks and didn't seem to hamper the top swimmers. The transition area was set up on a parking lot with plenty of room for bikes and lots of room to move out quickly to a slight hill up to front street to the 18.7 mile bike course. Of course their are some people on the bike that are so strong and hammer so hard up that hill that defy the strength of a Topline crank and rip it apart as though it were made of balsa wood. That animal
of course being "Big" Al Boudreaux. Sorry Al but you get what you pay for. Once on the course it's time to hammer. It's a very well laid out course that brings you through Northwestern's campus and then out towards and passed I-49. It does have it's share of nice climbs but there are some complementary downhills too. The roads are in great shape and the police support was exceptional. The transition area also allows for an uncongested move from bike to run. Here's the fun part, the start of the run is up a flight of stairs. "OUCH!" That's unusual but also challenging. The 5K run is flat and I want to say fast but the heat worked a lot of people over. There were water stations with sponges that really helped out. Carol this for you. Next year put the sponges in ice water, that really makes a difference. Of course the overall winner John Deshotel with a time of 1:14:12 was moaning about not being faster than last year and how the run waxed himm, made it look easy. Hey John that was a hot run and you were only 40 seconds off. After what you and Tammy have been though since April that's great. Keep on training, It'll come back. Laurie Davidson came down from Arkansas to take the top womens honors with
a time of 1:22:26. She seems to be in good shape this year too, she really can run. The after race festivities were great too. Good food, some really nice awards, nice give aways and just a great atmosphere. Natchitoches is one beautiful City. There are some really nice Bed & Breakfasts within walking distance of the race. It takes no time at all to get to the site from the Hotels and there seemed to be plenty parking. Front Street is lined with nice trees and lots of shade that was appreciated after such a hot run. Next year put this race on your calendar cause it's fun.
An extra note. This race for me was exceptionally challenging. My age group included Masters winner Chris MacCurdy, I believe from Texas, who finished 3rd overall with a time of 1:16:10 at 47. But the real challenge was the Louisiana competetion. Sam Vanni, Charles McAlister, Ken Hainline and myself were all challenged for the lead at one point. Sam was second followed by Charles a little over a minute later followed by myself 20 seconds after and Ken was 5 seconds behind me. Man that's competition that makes you want to train even harder. We all had to catch Ken after a great swim. Don't worry guys I plan on taking it easy on the bike for the next couple of months.

Jerry

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