I really don’t mind last place but….

I’m seriously considering signing up for the Badger State Quadrathlon that is being held in Wausau Wisconsin on February 3rd 2008 (already have the hotel booked just in case). The Quadrathlon consists of a 5k Run, a 5k Mountain Bike, a 5k Snowshoe, and a 5k Cross Country Skiing.

So, I have run a 5k before – so that I have down. I have raced in a Mountain Bike race before, but I haven’t raced in snow for a Mountain Bike race – so that may be a bit of a challenge. I have never even tried on a pair of Snow Shoes – so that may be a challenge. And last but not least – I have never even tried on a pair of Cross Country skis before – so that may be a challenge.

So, you may be thinking – what the heck (or maybe even harsher words) is he thinking. Well, let me take you back just over a year ago when I decided to do the IronMan Wisconsin. I did know how to run, I didn’t know how to bike (no bike), and I didn’t know how to swim more than a half of a lap in the pool.

So, a Quadrathlon, no problem.

The issue I have is the following: the last year that they had the Badger State Quadrathlon they only had 19 men and only had 2 women participate. Of those participants, my latest 5k run time of 22:10 would be only good for 10th place and my 22:10 was as fast as I could go without having any events to do next.

So, realistically I would end up around 12th to 15th place after the run. Next, you can figure that I may give up a place or two on the mountain bike seeing my lack of experience – which then would place me around the 13th to 16th place after the mountain bike. Now I’m already three (3) positions out of last place and I’m moving into my “never experienced them before” disciplines. So, the odds of me going backwards and fast – are fairly good.

So, I don’t mind coming in last place – I just don’t want to hold up the Badger State Games closing ceremonies…