Tri Again in Carpenteria

So Sugata and I completed the 2nd and final Triathalon of the year. We decided doing them 2 weeks apart may not have been optimal, but it's done and with many lessons learned. Sugata did the long course which was his first Olympic level triathalon. I'm so proud of him! Here is a link to him crossing the finish line.
http://gallery.me.com/laura.biswas#100162/400&bgcolor=black
The main reason we did this event was that our friend Brent created a memorial event for his wife Hillary who died earlier this year in a cycling accident. She was a phenomenal athlete and had done the Carpenteria triathalon last year. Her parents came out from NC to be at the event along with so many of Brent's family. Hillary's sister was there doing her first triathalon along with many other newbies in her honor.
It was an honor to be a part of such a great event. T-shirts had been designed and made for everyone involved and so as the race ensued, I passed many people I didn't know who, like me had Hillary's memorial shirt on, and often we called out to each other HILLARY!
I had a moment of grief well up on the beach at the race start. All of us in the race were in our wetsuits getting ready to head into the ocean waves. I had just said goodbye to Sugata as he got into his wave and Brent came by. Just seeing him there, I was so overcome by the pain of his loss. Tears flooded up. I know we never fully understand the unique loss of another, but there is also that universal experience of grief that I touched into, just knowing the pain of losing my brothers Spencer and Drew and my Dad - all young too... like Hillary.
I just send my loving support to Brent and Hillary's families as they walk through their grief. I honor Hillary for her great smile, competitive streak and joy for the outdoor adventures of life.