The Harbor Bay Triathlon was a great new experience on a perfect day! The course was along a beautiful bayside park in Alameda with the San Francisco skyline shining brilliantly just across the water. My roommate and I came to do this unique event involving a 10K inline skate, 17mi bike, and 2.5mi run. There was also a Biathlon (run-bike-run) which attracted most of the crowd. Only 13 people lined up at the skate start.

It was new and fun. I had never raced on skates before. Most of us hadn't so we just watched one another and learned as we went. My roommate, Don, was in the lead. I talked him into doing the race (his first Triathlon) because he's an excellent cyclist and also skates and runs well. I copied his aerodynamic, one-arm-behind, skating style which worked well. However, both of our backs got sore quickly. At the transition, Don was a minute ahead and I was in 3rd. I crash-landed on my towel and quickly swapped skates and pads for my bike.