What an experience! Qualifying for the International Triathlon Union World Triathlon Championships was not something I ever anticipated doing until I was in my sixties -- attrition, you understand. However, when the opportunity came for me to compete in Perth, I decided to give it a try. With my injury rate, who knew if I would ever be given another chance.

Just getting to Perth was a challenge; it included over thirty hours of flight and airport time – fifteen hours straight flying from Los Angeles to Sydney, crossing the International Date Line and losing a day. We left on Sunday and arrived on Tuesday. It was fall in Perth, with relatively unpredictable weather. We had rain and gusty winds through Thursday, leaving little time to train -- which was made more difficult for Margaret Regina and me, since the airlines lost our bikes [with much of our equipment in our bike cases]. Our bikes did not arrive at our hotel until Thursday. That left Friday morning to ride the course -- and what a course!! We were confronted with three loops of incredibly deceptive hills, phenomenally beautiful scenery, and fast descents. We planned to swim the river that afternoon, but thought the better of it when we encountered two to three foot high "waves" -- amazing sight. By 7 a.m. Saturday morning the river was like glass, so we swam -- calm, but freezing.

It was so much fun being part of an international community of triathletes [48 countries were represented] -– and can the Aussies throw a party!! We concluded that "playful joy" must be an obligatory course in their school curriculum. The Aussie people could not have been more helpful or friendly -– and they were so much fun!

The Aussies clearly dominated the race. It was their course and the end of their season. But it was exciting to experience. Fortunately, the "old folks" got to start early. Tony Panizza's group began at 6:40 a.m., and Margaret Regina, Marge Stahl, Ethel Autorino [Robin Autorino’s mom from New Jersey] and I started at 6:50 a.m. The river was salty, freezing, and calm for the second day in a row. Leaving the swim, we had to run up a 45 degree ramp, over a platform and down another ramp into the grassy bike transition area. As, mentioned earlier, the course was phenomenal. It became clear to me early on that in the future, I will need to develop a far more intimate relationship with my bike if I want to progress in this sport. Anyway, when we returned to the bike-run transition area, we again had to run up another ramp, over a platform, and down another ramp to begin the run --- see how much fun the Aussies are? Mercifully, the run was two loops of a flat course along the river. It was an excellent course and a well-organized race. Most of the medals the USA team won were in the over 60 age groups. [Yea!!]

We left early the next day for Sydney to see the Olympic Park and to experience a different, but as beautiful, Australian city. With the exception of a couple of flight glitches, this was a great trip and an awe inspiring experience for me. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to compete for the Untied States at such a level. If you ever have the chance to do so, I would recommend it.