I had a chance yesterday to ride the Lake Stevens bike course (especially since that weird glowing orb was in the Pacific Northwest sky!) and my non-triathlete friend came along with me. While I was out on the course, she was cruising around the little town next to the lake and went in to the little coffee place that's right across from the swim/transition area. While there, she got to chatting with the barista who told her the following story:
Apparently, last year was this woman's first year at said coffee place while the race was in town and she was surprised by the number of folks in town for the race. The day before the race, this "really hot guy" comes into the coffee place and she gets to wait on him. :-) He asks her what time they were planning to open the next morning, to which she replies "7:00 am." He suggests she might want to open at 5 and she's skeptical but thinks what the heck, why not - maybe I'll get to see "hot guy" again. So she gives him his coffee and doesn't expect to see him again.
The next morning, she opens at five and by 5:05 there's a huge line, at the front of which, to her surprise, is "hot guy." She greets him and thanks him for the tip on opening early and goes about her day. Later on, she learns that "hot guy" WON THE RACE. "Hot guy" turns out to be Chris Legh!! He later calls the coffee shop to thank her for opening early and later even sends a little autographed postcard, so is either flirting with the cute barista girl or is a super-nice guy.
It was a funny story, especially when relayed to me from one non-triathlon person to my friend, and because of that infamous Gatorade commercial - they both knew who he was.
Oh, and for those who are doing the race for the first time - the bike course is freakin' gorgeous! (Assuming that the weather cooperates!) I still don't quite understand how the swim start works, but otherwise I'm really looking forward to it.
Michelle
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The beatings will continue until morale improves
Apparently, last year was this woman's first year at said coffee place while the race was in town and she was surprised by the number of folks in town for the race. The day before the race, this "really hot guy" comes into the coffee place and she gets to wait on him. :-) He asks her what time they were planning to open the next morning, to which she replies "7:00 am." He suggests she might want to open at 5 and she's skeptical but thinks what the heck, why not - maybe I'll get to see "hot guy" again. So she gives him his coffee and doesn't expect to see him again.
The next morning, she opens at five and by 5:05 there's a huge line, at the front of which, to her surprise, is "hot guy." She greets him and thanks him for the tip on opening early and goes about her day. Later on, she learns that "hot guy" WON THE RACE. "Hot guy" turns out to be Chris Legh!! He later calls the coffee shop to thank her for opening early and later even sends a little autographed postcard, so is either flirting with the cute barista girl or is a super-nice guy.
It was a funny story, especially when relayed to me from one non-triathlon person to my friend, and because of that infamous Gatorade commercial - they both knew who he was.
Oh, and for those who are doing the race for the first time - the bike course is freakin' gorgeous! (Assuming that the weather cooperates!) I still don't quite understand how the swim start works, but otherwise I'm really looking forward to it.
Michelle
------------------------------------------------------------
The beatings will continue until morale improves