The Triathlete
Vicki Murphy-Kendall
Boulder Triathalon
Boulder, CO
July 23, 2017
Vicki has been a competitive athlete for 20 years. Mostly she runs. But the last ten years, she also competed nationally and internationally in triathlon competitions. She was in a race last year in Philadelphia and a fellow competitor clipped her during the bike race. She fell, was knock unconscious and had to be rushed to the hospital.
She had a concussion and bruised body. She spent six months in physical therapy. She had vertigo for months. She had to forfeit a competition in Mexico. And her confidence was shaken. So it was a big deal when she announced to us that she was going to compete again in a triathlon in Boulder.
I flew out to Colorado to watch the event. The day before the race, we drove the 17 mile bike course. It started at 5800' in elevation and went up to 6500'. It was brutal. The water temperature was 50F which required a wet suit for most of the competitors. But the running event didn't concern Vicki at all. "That's where I am my best. I can run. I feel most in control with I run," she told us. "I finish with running. That will be good."
She was up and out of the house by 5:30 AM to get to the race course and prepare for her 7:50 AM start time. Arnie, her husband, joined her. Then Mike, KT and I meandered to the finish line by 10:15 AM, just a little bit before Vicki thought she would finish. "It shouldn't take me more than 2 1/2 hours. That's my usual time," she assured us.
Lots of athletes were just starting the run when we arrived but we were sure we were going to see Vicki finish in just a few moments. Then it was 10:30 and there was no sign of Vickie. There were no more people running out of the start chute so we just knew she had to be coming along soon. We waited in great anticipation. it was 10:45 and still no Vickie.
As I let my gaze wander around the event, I saw a competitor hobbling on the other side of the road. I thought it was Vicki and I strained my eyes to see. But a truck drove by and blocked my view. When I could see her again, it was clear she was in distress. She was limping and walking. And she was just starting the race. I wanted to cry.
KT and I walked up the course to find her but she got away from us. We speculated that she was suffering from heat stroke in this 90F weather. At any moment, I expected to see her on a golf cart, being brought to the medical clinic. I really wanted to cry for her.
I stayed in one spot and KT went ahead to see if she could find Vicki. After ten minutes, KT called me. "She's on her way. She just passed me." That was a huge relief.
After a few minutes, I could see her bright pink shirt running towards me.
"Vickie, you only have 1500 steps left," I shouted out to her and she waved her arms in excitement.
As she got closer to me, I asked, "Are we going to walk together or are you going to run it in?"
"I'm going to run it. I had a leg cramp. But I'm OK. I'm going to run it in." And she did as best she could. I met up with her a few minutes later and she was thrilled. She had come in first place in her age group. All of the other competitors did not finish the race.
"I'm the only one who finished. That's why I won," she said, almost apologetic.
"Vicki," I said to her, "Shut the hell up. You are 72 and you completed a damn triathlon. Take your first place medal and shut up."
Vicki has been a competitive athlete for 20 years. Mostly she runs. But the last ten years, she also competed nationally and internationally in triathlon competitions. She was in a race last year in Philadelphia and a fellow competitor clipped her during the bike race. She fell, was knock unconscious and had to be rushed to the hospital.
She had a concussion and bruised body. She spent six months in physical therapy. She had vertigo for months. She had to forfeit a competition in Mexico. And her confidence was shaken. So it was a big deal when she announced to us that she was going to compete again in a triathlon in Boulder.
I flew out to Colorado to watch the event. The day before the race, we drove the 17 mile bike course. It started at 5800' in elevation and went up to 6500'. It was brutal. The water temperature was 50F which required a wet suit for most of the competitors. But the running event didn't concern Vicki at all. "That's where I am my best. I can run. I feel most in control with I run," she told us. "I finish with running. That will be good."
She was up and out of the house by 5:30 AM to get to the race course and prepare for her 7:50 AM start time. Arnie, her husband, joined her. Then Mike, KT and I meandered to the finish line by 10:15 AM, just a little bit before Vicki thought she would finish. "It shouldn't take me more than 2 1/2 hours. That's my usual time," she assured us.
Lots of athletes were just starting the run when we arrived but we were sure we were going to see Vicki finish in just a few moments. Then it was 10:30 and there was no sign of Vickie. There were no more people running out of the start chute so we just knew she had to be coming along soon. We waited in great anticipation. it was 10:45 and still no Vickie.
As I let my gaze wander around the event, I saw a competitor hobbling on the other side of the road. I thought it was Vicki and I strained my eyes to see. But a truck drove by and blocked my view. When I could see her again, it was clear she was in distress. She was limping and walking. And she was just starting the race. I wanted to cry.
KT and I walked up the course to find her but she got away from us. We speculated that she was suffering from heat stroke in this 90F weather. At any moment, I expected to see her on a golf cart, being brought to the medical clinic. I really wanted to cry for her.
I stayed in one spot and KT went ahead to see if she could find Vicki. After ten minutes, KT called me. "She's on her way. She just passed me." That was a huge relief.
After a few minutes, I could see her bright pink shirt running towards me.
"Vickie, you only have 1500 steps left," I shouted out to her and she waved her arms in excitement.
As she got closer to me, I asked, "Are we going to walk together or are you going to run it in?"
"I'm going to run it. I had a leg cramp. But I'm OK. I'm going to run it in." And she did as best she could. I met up with her a few minutes later and she was thrilled. She had come in first place in her age group. All of the other competitors did not finish the race.
"I'm the only one who finished. That's why I won," she said, almost apologetic.
"Vicki," I said to her, "Shut the hell up. You are 72 and you completed a damn triathlon. Take your first place medal and shut up."
FACEBOOK POSTING:
She finished 1st in her age group. This old bitch can run, swim and bike. Congratulations Vickie Murphy Kendall, a triathlon athlete.
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