Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Friends of the Missouri Breaks Monument (FMB) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sponsored the 1st Missouri Breaks Triathlon. The event used the Missouri River as the backdrop. It was designed to be a family or group event just to celebrate. Although the triathlon started with a 20-mile canoe/kayak, then a 3.4-mile foot race, and finished with a 20-mile cycling portion, it didn't need to be completed solo. It could have been a tag team race anywhere along the event. However, Michael Wenger of Loma took 4th place and two from Big Sandy participated in the solo competition. Erik Sietsema who took 14th and Carissa Ray who placed 25th. Erik said he was fine with his placement. He just wanted to finish.
Carissa Ray said, "the triathlon was well put on and difficult. It was very nice to have a race so close to Big Sandy. The upper Missouri River breaks is such a beautiful area to have a race and all the volunteers and coordinators were extremely supportive and great people.
The race started with Kayaking and Carissa said, "Kayaking from Fort Benton to Wood Bottom was my favorite portion of the race. It felt more like an adventure than a race." Erik felt he needed to practice the kayak part better. He also would have like to use a better kayak as the one he had was difficult to steer.
Erik had already prepared for the cycling portion as he said, "I did the Great Cycle Challenge for cancer for kids." He thought the bike portion was fun, even though he had "technical difficulties". His bike broke and he couldn't shift, so going uphill was difficult. "The terrain had sand and gravel and against the wind." It was difficult. "I really liked the bike part," said Erik. Carissa said, "The bike portion was much more difficult than a typical triathlon. Usually sprint triathlons are closer to thirteen miles long and this bike portion was twenty miles. Most of it being on loose gravel or sand mixed with ninety-degree weather and twenty mile an hour wind made it extremely difficult. Unless they change the bike portion I probably won't do the Missouri River Breaks triathlon solo again. I would do it with a team though."
Erick said, "I'm going to do it again. I've already started asking around to find other folks. I want to find a handful of folks that will help hold each other accountable for the training." He had heard they were going to do it again. Training for this event he said, "All you mostly have to do is run and bike."
There were only three residences from Chouteau county and the rest came from all over Montana with one who came from Minneapolis Minnesota. It would be awesome if Chouteau County
was represented by more than three at the next race. According to an official training site "training for a triathlon is easier than you might think--even if you currently have zero fitness." It goes on to say it only takes 12 weeks to get in shape to compete.
Training requires proper gear so you do need some basic equipment. This equipment doesn't have to be expensive and it can be borrowed to save money, but you do need to buy a pair of running shoes. Running in plain tennis shoes can create injuries. Kayaks are supplied at the race, but can also be purchased rather cheaply during the summer.
The time commitment recommended isn't to serious
