The forecast called for a torrential rainstorm, but that wasn’t going to stop my training partner, Ray, and me. At 4 a.m., we were on the road, driving through shifting curtains of rain toward Sag Harbor for the EventPower LI Mighty Hamptons Steve Tarpinian Memorial Triathlon. The 90-minute drive felt like its own endurance event, with rain alternating between a light drizzle and a heavy downpour.
We arrived at 5:35 a.m., and I was immediately struck by the number of athletes setting up in the pre-dawn gloom. Despite the weather, the energy was high. Ray and I parted ways to find our respective transition spots. He was tackling the Olympic distance, while I had switched from the Olympic Aquabike to the Super Sprint, eager to get a run in.
After setting up my bike and gear, I went to find Ray, but he was lost in the sea of determined faces. Realizing I needed some hydration, I turned back to my transition spot… and couldn’t find it. My number was 625, but I was searching in the 356 section. A small wave of panic washed over me as I scrambled around, feeling a bit ridiculous. I finally located my bike in the correct area, took a quick sip of my drink, and headed back toward the beach.
Swim Chaos
The swim start was already underway. As I got to the beach, I thankfully spotted Ray and our friends Brian and Peter. I struck up a conversation with two friendly women in the 65-69 age group, sharing a moment of camaraderie before the start. Soon, it was time for the Super Sprint. Our wave of about 100 athletes waded into the water for a mass start. You could feel the nervous energy; for some, the open water was a source of real panic. Race Director Vicki Ventura’s countdown echoed across the water, and then we were off.
It was chaos. I was immediately caught in a tangle of kicking feet and flailing arms. I kept telling myself I should have started wider, away from the masses, but there I was, right in the thick of it. It wasn’t enjoyable, but I knew the 300-yard swim was short. Before I knew it, I was rounding the buoy to head back. The return trip was choppy, with a current working against us, but it felt easier with more space around me.
Bike Challenges
I ran out of the water and straight into another rookie mistake: I lost my bike again. I frantically ran back and forth through the transition aisles before finally spotting my setup. I grabbed my helmet and shoes, walked the bike out, and hit the road. The course was immediately congested with slower cyclists and oncoming traffic, making passing a challenge. But when an opening appeared, I took it.
About three miles in, we rode through a quiet neighborhood. I was so focused on the cyclists ahead that I completely missed a volunteer pointing out a turn. I overshot it, had to stop, and walk my bike back to get on the right path.
Running to the Finish
Back in transition for the final time, I, of course, lost my spot one more time. After a quick search, I racked my bike, threw on my sneakers, and started the run. I felt like I must be the last one out there. To make matters worse, I had messed up my Garmin, which seemed to be stuck on the transition setting. What was wrong with me today? Was it overconfidence leading to silly mistakes?
Without my watch tracking properly, I had to rely on feel and course markers. I settled into a 30-second run, 15-second walk rhythm that felt strong. When my total time hit what I guessed was the right mark for the finish, I pushed hard and ran toward the line. As I approached, I heard the announcer call out, “Here’s Hilary Topper finishing the Super Sprint at 1:10! I follow her on social and see her posts all the time.” A huge smile spread across my face.
A Triumphant Ending
I grabbed a banana and found a place to sit. The rain, which had been light during the bike and run, was now coming down hard. I packed up my gear, took everything to the car, and walked back, hoping to see Ray finish. I never did catch him, but I did check my phone. A text and an email from the race organizers were waiting for me. I had placed! I came in 2nd in my age group.
Interestingly, the two women I had chatted with before the swim also placed in their age groups. It was a perfect ending to a wild day.
Despite the stormy weather and my series of mishaps, it was a fantastic event. Vicki and her team at EventPower LI always do an amazing job. The course is beautiful, the volunteers are incredible, and the spirit of the athletes is unshakable. It’s a race I would highly recommend to anyone.
*More photos to follow.
