The “Remote” Experience

It felt a bit crazy a few years ago when I decided to register as a member of an Irvine, California triathlon club while living in Rain City, Canada, AKA Vancouver. I mean, why not find a local team to join? The reality is that not all triathlon teams are a fit for every athlete. What I found with the people from the SoCal Triathlon Team was a wonderfully motivating enthusiasm for the sport and a sincere desire to welcome newbies, like I was at the time, to triathlon and endurance sports in general.

Fast forward to 2024, and I gotta say it was truly shocking to see just how big an impact the Team had on my year. I still smile, thinking back to Victoria 70.3 and all the stories and laughs the Team shared. It brings tears to my eyes remembering the Oceanside 70.3 Team cheer squad’s support for my son Ethan (who is also on the team) and their quick action to redirect him away from the finisher chute to the second lap of the run. The Team “recovery ride” the next day up Nyes Hill with Jenn, Tom, and Mitch is also something I will never forget. Unforgettable is how I would describe the Team GMR/Crystal Lake ride in June, all seven hours and 9,000 feet of it. Capping it all off was the blast we had with the Team at the inaugural T100 Lake Las Vegas. Racing aside, there were all the TrainerRoad Team rides that somehow had me looking forward to 6 am Tuesdays, a couple of Irvine, California training weekends, and cheering the Team on at Taupo from the other side of the world. It was an absolutely fantastic year, and I have the Team to thank for that. All this for a remote teammate in another country. I can only imagine what life must be like for a local…

~C