Cancun 70.3: The View From The Other Side

A very wise chica not too long ago told me: “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade . . . then add tequila!”

I’ve had a plethora of lemons that I thought would be juiced by now.  Not racing at DU Worlds was a huge bummer, but I was sure I’d be ready by Cancun.  It wasn’t happening. I have to say, though, I felt like the luckiest girl in the world when the Race Announcing Gig fell into my lap.   So here is it… My Cancun 70.3 Race Report: The View From The Other Side.

My very good buddy, training partner, and teammate, Matt Hanson, was in on the trip. He was racing and I was thrilled that we’d be travel buddies.  This was my first time going to a race and not racing, and I must say, packing was a breeze! No big-ass bike box, no gadgets to forget… just a few outfits and out the door. 

I had absolutely no clue what my responsibilities would entail.  My first real gig was the swim course preview. I think people were wondering who the hell this gringa was, shouting instructions at the beach in English and Spanish over an old-school loudspeaker. To further invalidate any shred of credibility, I did all this while barefooted and in my swimsuit, swim cap, and goggles on top of my head, since I was swimming the course in between instructions. 

Next up: The Bike Course Preview.I manned the English bus, while Race Director Luis manned the the Spanish bus, and I followed his lead via walkie-talkies.  God knows I’m not known for my prowess with regards to pre-race course knowledge, so the idea of actually learning the course beforehand started to grow on me.  After a few wrong turns, I joked that we were beginning the Gilligan’s Island Adventure . .. “a three-hour tour..”  About half-way through the bike course, the bus driver commented to me, “Oye, this is too long.  You guys should be called IRONMAN LOCOS.”  I couldn’t agree more!

Next up: Pre-race Meetings.  I had to watch my electrolyte intake and ensure that I was well-hydrated, as my voice had to be ready to throw down since there were at least 600 people in the English speaking meeting.  I grabbed that microphone like I owned it and went to town. I was trying to put the fear of God into them regarding penalties for drafting, etc.   I seriously wish I had some musical or vocal talent because I was all over that mike.

Bike Drop Off: Transition. I thought that my Spanish-speaking counterpart, Erick, and I only had to go to the bike drop-off for microphone testing, etc.  I was tired from the activities all day and was ready to get off my feet and prepare myself for my big non-race race day.  So I show up and all the sudden there’s a mike in my hand and Erick is going to town “settin’ the mood.”  He’s like one of those legit DJs, with the “DJ voice” and everything.  My voice sucks, but that didn’t stop me. I tried to translate everything he was saying, and then add some of my own BS.  It was great! After a while I warmed up and loved it. Granted, athletes were just coming and going so we did a lot of repeating stuff.

 

Then I thought it would be cool to do some “Human Interest Pieces.”  Ha! Just call me Martin Scorsese ...  I grabbed anyone who looked at me sideways and shoved the mike in their face for an interview.  Shirtless Ticos (Costa Ricans) were a good target, as was Jim, brother and faithful sherpa of Fausto The Cubano, who I met on the plane from Ft. Lauderdale.  This one kills me.  Remember guys, this was my “warm-up,” so I was a little rough around the edges. 

Race Day: Nerves!  This was it…time to leave it all out there. ha!  Matt was doing his thing in the morning and I wouldn’t shut up.  I took my ugly STAFF t-shirt and carefully performed some custom alteration (I hate sleeves), then posed all serious as I “warmed up” with my radios. 

I’m certain that I irritated the hell out of him but was just so giddy about the whole thing.

Race Day was an absolute BLAST.  I realized something pretty quickly: You might not be sure what to do, but if you have the passion and excitement for something, just let ‘er rip!  I lost my voice from the announcing, cheering, and screaming, and I loved every minute of it.  I thought I would be sad to watch the elite women out there and long to be racing with them, but I really wasn’t.  It was truly THRILLING to be a part of the event, to try to impact each athlete’s experience in one small way (if they even heard us), and to share in the joy of everyone who laid it all out there on Sunday.  Cancun served up some brutal heat and humidity, and everyone who crossed the line did so on pure fumes and heart. 

I got to announce the awards ceremony as well, which was very gratifying.  I met so many hilarious, brilliant, hard-working, and amazing friends on this trip, and that was the best part of it all. What was initially a massive bummer turned out to be a huge blessing in disguise, and I’m hopeful that my “internship” can lead to add’l announcing opportunities in the future. Preferably in Latin America. Wayyy more fun!!!

The race directory kindly arranged my taxi to the airport with the one and only Oscar Galindez (I swear I didn’t play a part in it, but I thought it was brilliant).  Matt and I insisted on a full-blown photo shoot with the poor dude, and he couldn’t have been kinder. I am a huge fan.

Then I got the coolest parting gift ever.  Fausto (el Cubano), gave me his Cuba jersey upon departing, because he said I was cheering like a loca for him! 

All in all, it was an amazing experience to touch each athlete’s race in some small way, and to make the awesome friends that Matt and I walked away with. 

I’m ready for more!!

CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE PICS…  THEN click on Cancun 70.3and then SLIDESHOW.

CLICK HERE FOR OFFICIAL RACE RESULTS