Sunrise on Zuma Beach in Malibu. The majestic beauty. The serenity. Being at one with nature – and 6,000 other people. All here to take part in the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, even if it’s only as a curious and supportive Sports Fan.

I was actually on hand to take in Day Two of the event. On the previous day, the Herbalife International Distance Triathlon had been conducted, consisting of a swim of 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles), a 40 kilometer (24.8 mile) bike ride, and a 10k (6.2 mile) run. For obvious reasons, that drew a generally harder-core group of participants. It is today’s shorter course “Classic Race” that draws the amateurs who have been training hard and looking to test themselves. It also draws the celebrities – and by extension, the fans.
Continue reading…

I got up at 4:15 on Sunday morning. Voluntarily.

Think about the good things that might get you out of bed two hours and 19 minutes before sunrise. Childbirth, for sure. Perhaps the return of Halley’s Comet. An ESPN Classic replay of Game 7 of the 2002 World Series.

OK, maybe that last one is just me.

In any case, here’s one to add to the list: The Nautica Malibu Triathlon.

“That’s fine and dandy,” you may say (if you are comfortable using phrases like “fine and dandy”, that is). “But why so early?”

Well, in order to witness the starting cannon of this singularly L.A. event, you have to be on Malibu’s Zuma Beach by 7:00 AM. I guess the participants like to get the half-mile swim, 18-mile bike ride and 4-mile run in before the sun melts away the cooling marine layer.

Wimps. Hey, I had to drive 48 miles in the pitch black – and convince The Bird to go with me. All on a single cup of coffee!
Continue reading…