Call this a race report, call it a entertaining story, call it whatever you wish; but to the two dudes gunning each other down in this photo finish, was probably the most "memorable part" of their 2010 triathlon season. And believe me, we had a lot of good memories before this little "photo opp" occurred.

Although the setting for this event was the 2010 YMCA Mind, Body and Spirit Triathlon held August 14th at Scales Lake in Boonville, IN, this story actually begins about two months earlier on June 19th in St. Wendel Indiana. It was on this day that I (Jeff Williams) had the opportunity to participate in a "practice" olympic distance triathlon with my new friends Dennis Keisel and Mason Flake (who also happens to be a former president of the Southern Indiana Triathlon Club). I had actually met Dennis and Mason earlier in the year but did not know them very well - so when I received the invite to participate in their weekend practice triathlon I was somewhat surprised - but I was also eager with excitement. Afterall; in three weeks I was to compete in my first half-iron distance triathlon - yet my longest race to date was only a sprint tri. This olympic distance tri would be the perfect opportunity to "guage" my progress for the upcoming half.

The course started out with a beautiful lake swim, then proceeded to a challenging bike course, and ended with a brutal 2 mile uphill run to the finish (which my newly acquired friends failed to mention to me before the race). So as we commenced on our "practice" triathlon bright and early that first morning, I managed to exit the swim portion well ahead of Dennis and Mason. That advantage was short-lived however as I burned most of it up fumbling around in T1. Within the first mile of the bike course, they both overtook me and that would be the last I would see of them until the finish. I think they both enjoyed seeing my expression as I crossed the finish line now having experienced the "killer" ascent to the finish line. In their exact words - "it'll get your attention" was pretty much an understatement. Nevertheless, I had been initiated and ascertained that Dennis finished approximately 10 minutes in front of me while Mason had about a 5 minute advantage at the finish line. The bar had now been set and I knew how much I would need to improve in order to make a race of it with Mason.

Over the upcoming weekends Mason, Dennis and myself participated in several olympic distance "practice" triathlons leading up to the premier Evansville YMCA Triathlon event. The result was usually the same. I'd exit the water well ahead of both Dennis and Mason, and eventually they would catch me on the bike. The only difference was that it was taking them a lot longer to catch me during the bike leg. Although Dennis was still way ahead of me, I actually had Mason in my sights that final weekend rolling into T2. The smack talk between Mason and I had been growing for weeks and Mason was fully aware that I was "gunning" for him every weekend we showed up in St. Wendel. Mason must have ate his Wheaties that morning because by the time I got out of T2 and emerged onto the road to begin the 6 mile run leg, Mason was nowhere in sight! He was smoking the run and I could only hope he would fade on the return leg. No chance - he smoked me on the run that day. A week away from the YMCA tri and now the stage was set. The smack talk escalated and Mason knew I had closed the gap. But I knew Mason was a formidable opponent. I really questioned whether I could catch him at the big event the following weekend.

As we arrived at the race site that typical hot and humid August morning the tension in the air was almost as thick as the humidity. It was no secret that Mason knew I was gunning for him and he made it known he was going to do his best to "put me away". The grudge match had finally arrived and it was time to put our cards on the table. The horn sounded and we were off. My goal was to "cruise" the swim as I normally do and hammer the bike portion as best I could. The run had been reduced from a 10k to a 5k earlier that morning due to excessive heat so I would simply not worry about saving anything for the run. Since cycling has always been my weakest leg, I really wanted to hammer the bike in hopes to at least be within sight of Mason at T2. And on the run - let the chips fall where they may.

The race was on!

I exited the water with no idea how far back Mason was. However, whatever the gap was, there was no doubt he was going to close it on the bike. The question was - How Much? The answer to that would start to become more apparent at the bike turn-around. I had made it to the turn-around with still no sight of Mason - then there he was! I finally saw him on my retun leg and estimated he had to be at least 1 mile behind. However, with about 13 miles to go, I knew Mason could close that gap on the return leg. Well guess what? He did. I was in T2 changing into my running shoes when I heard someone call out Mason's name. Shoot!!! He had closed the gap. I finally got out onto the run course and figured Mason was somewhere right on my six-o-clock. A few minutes later, still no Mason. Where was that bugger? Then I got the shocker of my race - approaching the first turn-around here came Mason on the return leg. That scoundrel had got by me in T2 and was running in front of me! To make matters even worse he had already ascertained a good three-hundred yards advantage.

But, as they say a picture is worth a thousand words and the look on Masons' face was one of fatigue. Now of course that was just my perception but it was enough for me to mentally stay engaged in the race and try to close the gap. 4 out of 5 times Mason would waste me on a run but I was actually feeling ok at the moment so I picked up the pace. About a mile and a half later we came up to the second turn-around and I had closed about half of the gap on Mason. That was when I realized I could close the gap entirely. With less than 3/4 of a mile to go I made the final turn around and kicked into high gear. A quick glance at my Garmin and I was down around a 6:49 pace rolling accross the Scales Lake dam. At this point the race had become one of strategy. As we made our way back onto the roadway exiting the dam we had less than 350 yards to the finish. Mason still had about 50 yards on me and if he saw me it would be all over. I stayed very wide on the turns trying to stay out of Mason's view in case he decided to peek over his shoulder. Now about 20 yards behind, I settled back into his pace and waited for the right moment. That moment came with about 100 yards to go and I lit out at almost a full sprint. With 75 yards to go I clocked by Mason like he was standing still. Well, needless to say it wasn't over! With 50 yards to go Mason came back on me. Where in the heck did he get the speed to do that? Anyway, I sped up, he sped up, I sped up, he sped up, I sped up, he sped up (well- you get the idea). Elbows, snot and spit flying - there was no holding anything back. This was all about "bragging rights" and we all know that is the most important aspect of triathlon - right? Internally I was "bustin' a gut" laughing over this whole scenario and was grinning ear to ear realizing that our competitive grudge match and weeks of smack talk had come down to the final 25 yards of that race! Mason and I crossed the line virtually in a "dead-heat".

I felt like I had held Mason off at the finish but the official results had him ahead of me by 6/100 of a second. Truthfully, I didn't care. In fact, neither one of us did!

During the previous weeks I had gained a formidable opponent to chase after but more importantly, I had gained another very good friend. As Mason and I walked out of the finishing chute I threw my arm around him and congratulated him on a great effort. He did the same. I think we both realized at that moment that we had each just lived a very memorable experience in our lives. Certainly one of the highlights of our 2010 triathlon season. Most people wouldn't think twice about two kids challenging each other to a foot race to the end of the block. Yet, here were two middle-aged adults raising kids and supporting families - that for a brief moment - were able to put the world behind them and relish in the pure joy of friendly competition. Much like kids do. We both inherently knew that was a moment to remember for that exact reason.

For guys our age those moments don't present themselves very often. It is for that reason that I am so grateful to have found the sport of triathlon. And the countless friends I have made this year as a result of being involved in this sport. Dennis and Mason both have been like mentors to me during this summer of 2010 and for that I am very thankful. But mostly - I am grateful to have their friendship!