Post by Jazz on Jul 14, 2004 18:25:19 GMT -5
I thought this was interesting......
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Edmonton's Georges Laraque not so tough as triathlete[/u][/color]
By SCOTT ZERR -- Edmonton Sun
July 12th, 2004
source: Canoe.com
Carrying about 150 pounds more body weight than the rest of the field, Georges Laraque found out first hand just how gruelling a triathlon can be.
Instead of opting for the shortended charity race yesterday, the big fella chose to run the full Olympic course and it took its toll on the Oilers tough guy.
He crossed the line in three hours fifteen minutes, placing him 26th among the 27 competitors in the men's 25-29 age group division.
At the end, Laraque, who had to contend with his own asthmatic condition, was struggling for breath and could barely drag himself to a table for a much-needed bottle of water.
"I've always wanted to do one," said Laraque after gathering up enough air.
"I have new respect for people who do triathlons because it's the hardest thing I've ever done.
"Old ladies were going by me so fast I was catching a cold. There were people flying by me on the run, on the bike and obviously the swimming because I swim like a rock.
"I didn't want to finish last but I was close. I'll train for it next time. I haven't been swimming since I was 10."
Laraque regularly spins some 40km on his stationary bike but ...
"My little Beyonce butt is killing me," chuckled Laraque, referring to shapely singer Beyonce Knowles. "I'm walking like a penguin, it hurts so much."
Laraque was left in the dust by most of the competitors in the age group and charity events, as well as the up and comers in the Pan Am Junior championship.
Canada swept the girls' derby with 16-year-old Victoria native Kirsten Sweetland edging out two-time national junior champ Kerry Spearing by nine seconds.
"She is absolutely the whole package. She is the best junior I've seen in the last 20 years," said coach and CBC broadcaster Barrie Shipley. Erin Braun earned the bronze.
Mexico's Sergio Sarmento won the boys' race, slipping past Canada's Ben Adam by one second.
___________________________________________________
Edmonton's Georges Laraque not so tough as triathlete[/u][/color]
By SCOTT ZERR -- Edmonton Sun
July 12th, 2004
source: Canoe.com
Carrying about 150 pounds more body weight than the rest of the field, Georges Laraque found out first hand just how gruelling a triathlon can be.
Instead of opting for the shortended charity race yesterday, the big fella chose to run the full Olympic course and it took its toll on the Oilers tough guy.
He crossed the line in three hours fifteen minutes, placing him 26th among the 27 competitors in the men's 25-29 age group division.
At the end, Laraque, who had to contend with his own asthmatic condition, was struggling for breath and could barely drag himself to a table for a much-needed bottle of water.
"I've always wanted to do one," said Laraque after gathering up enough air.
"I have new respect for people who do triathlons because it's the hardest thing I've ever done.
"Old ladies were going by me so fast I was catching a cold. There were people flying by me on the run, on the bike and obviously the swimming because I swim like a rock.
"I didn't want to finish last but I was close. I'll train for it next time. I haven't been swimming since I was 10."
Laraque regularly spins some 40km on his stationary bike but ...
"My little Beyonce butt is killing me," chuckled Laraque, referring to shapely singer Beyonce Knowles. "I'm walking like a penguin, it hurts so much."
Laraque was left in the dust by most of the competitors in the age group and charity events, as well as the up and comers in the Pan Am Junior championship.
Canada swept the girls' derby with 16-year-old Victoria native Kirsten Sweetland edging out two-time national junior champ Kerry Spearing by nine seconds.
"She is absolutely the whole package. She is the best junior I've seen in the last 20 years," said coach and CBC broadcaster Barrie Shipley. Erin Braun earned the bronze.
Mexico's Sergio Sarmento won the boys' race, slipping past Canada's Ben Adam by one second.
