Always looking to “kill as many birds with as few stones as possible,” I went up to my 30th High School Reunion and also returned to compete in the Pat Griskus Olympic Triathlon Saturday, June 14, 2008 at the Quassy Amusement Park, Middlebury CT. This race is held at one of the more unusual venues I have seen in 25 years of multisport participation.

The race is named for Pat Griskus, who was an amazing guy and credited with paving the way for the many amputee athletes to follow.

The Olympic distance race is now part of the new Best of the U.S. Series, which includes such prestigious races as Columbia, MD and Timberman in NH.

We swam one mile in beautiful Lake Quassapaug, “enjoyed” a 25-mile challenging (and rare) one loop bike course through classic New England farm country, and then ran 6.2 hilly miles on shaded back roads.

I finished in the top 10%, but “out of the money” this year. A terribly slow swim doomed me from the start. But, unlike my classmates, I had gotten my day off to a great start and was back in Lakeville for brunch ! Note my singlet has my high school’s name and my class year on it !