Text and Photos
By Shari Benyousky
Guest Columnist
Column Note: In the 60th column in the Diners and Dives series, a small group of Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club members explore Waterford Mills.
On the last perfect Friday afternoon in May, triathletes and organizers from Warsaw, Goshen, and Syracuse plus some self-described absolutely-never-going-to-be-triathletes gathered around a long table at the Goshen Family Restaurant at 65585 SR 15 in Waterford Mills. The discussion revolved around the summer’s hottest triathlon challenge — the brand-new 2024 Sprint Triathlon Triple Crown Series featuring races in Winona Lake, Syracuse, and Goshen.
Tip — There are many types of triathlons. The most common are Sprint, Olympic, Half-Ironman, and Ironman. The Sprint variety is the shortest and most easily accessible to a beginner. All three categories take between 1-2 hours to complete so “sprint” seems like an exaggeration to me. It would be more accurate to call it a “trudge” if I competed in one.
Swim — Triathlon Stage One
After our lovely waitress Erika stopped to pass out menus and give advice, we shook hands around the table. “Do you swim?” Stone Soup Promotions Level II USAD Race Director Paula Turk asked me.
Paula is helping to promote Goshen’s Rock the Quarry triathlon.
“Well, yes, I can swim.” I waffled as I eyed the biscuits and gravy on the menu. “I used to swim laps anyway.” I took the plunge and ordered a half order.
Paula ordered a strawberry milkshake before adding, “I hate to be circuitous, but triathlons are for everyone, not just elite athletes, God-bless-them. It’s really cross-training. The race could even be a relay with different friends or family for each event. Like your body can swim into the 90s and swimming can be slow or fast. Triathlons are for community. For fun. If I can do them, ANYONE can.”
“Circuitous?!” 1st Source Banker Paul Finley joked after choosing the Friday fried-fish special. “I’m more square.”
Tip — Sprint Triathlon Swim distances are from 325–1,000 yards and take from 3–20 minutes to complete.
Bike — Triathlon Stage Two
Syracuse Race Director and Kiwanis Member Cole Warner has completed triathlons a few times himself. “But we had a baby. Training diminishes after babies.” Cole ordered the Sizzlin’ Meat Lovers Skillet. “It has bacon, sausage, ham, and cheese with eggs on top.” He tipped it to show me as we discussed the biking stage of a triathlon. Other skillets on the menu include options like steak, chicken breast, country-fried steak, chorizo, and corned beef.
Local Legendary Realtor Jeff Owens, who is a bike aficionado and helps plan the Winona Lake Optimist Triathlon, ordered our waitress’ favorite food which turned out to be a Steak Cemita with onion, avocado, tomato, Mexican cheese, mayo, and chipotle chili. “She’s right,” Jeff savored the cemitas.
“It’s really good.” Cemitas are sandwiches originally from Puebla, Mexico. The Cemitas is served on a specific type of very large bread roll topped with sesame seeds.
We returned to discussing the various routes included in the local triathlons from riding on regular roads to laps around a cinder path. The bike section of the race can include any sort of bike. “We even had a beach cruiser enter one year,” director Cole chuckled.
Tip — Sprint Triathlon biking distances are from 5-15 miles and take from 20-60 minutes to complete.
Run — Triathlon Stage Three
Our third guest was triathlete Don Ransome from Warsaw. Don has run every single Optimist Triathlon since the race began in 1994, and intends to run the 31st one again this year. He is retired and qualified for Ironman Worlds in his age group.
Don ordered a Goshen Fluffy Vegetarian Omelet with hashbrowns and dry wheat toast. He sprinkled his omelet with salt and pepper and shook his head. “I eat way too much salt.”
Don sometimes rides his bike from Warsaw to the other triathlons just to warm up. By the way, the restaurant also offers crab, Popeye (spinach), Babalou (chorizo, jalapenos), more common omelet options, and frittatas.
Tip — Sprint Triathlon running distances are from 1.75–3.1 miles and take from 15-40 minutes to complete.
The Triple Crown Races In Order
Athletes do not have to enter all three races of the Triple Crown. They can do just one or two, but there will be a special trophy for the winner of the best times combined between all three.
First Winona Lake Optimist Triathlon — June 22
This race begins at Winona Lake Park. “What’s really great about that race is the amazing food afterward,” Ransome told us. Don and Paula are both training for triathlons and this one is the first up in the Triple Crown mix.
“You usually pick two things from the triathlon order to work on per day,” Paula explained her routine.
“Like you might swim and run on one day or bike and run on another. Doing all of them would be too hard.”
Ransome agreed. “You also do weights and stretching. Mondays are usually my days off. And the days before races.”
Banker Finley was taking all the information in. “I’m more recreational,” he told us. “More of a buoy than a swimmer.”
Second Syracuse Wawasee Kiwanis Triathlon — July 27
“The Syracuse race is a great place for a beginner,” Director Cole Warner told us. “The water temperature is perfect and there’s lots of people around to help. We usually get 100-110 racers, so it isn’t overwhelming either.”
The Syracuse Race begins at Lakeside Park across from the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum with the Lighthouse.
“Syracuse is such a charming town too,” Paula added. “It’s fun to be there.”
Third Goshen’s Rock The Quarry — Aug. 10
The only time you can swim in the Quarry is this event, so don’t miss it at Fidler’s Pond in Goshen.
This race is also an excellent one to watch as all the events happen around the pond in the same place, and there will be a jumbotron to keep track of the race times and sponsors.
Paula finished her shake and smiled at the other race directors. “I need to gush for a moment, Jeff. This Triple Crown connection of yours is such a brilliant idea. I’m so glad you asked us.”
Director Cole agreed. “It’s nice to have competitive local things like this.” The three discussed some ideas for improving the Triple Crown next year and making the awards engaging.
“We thought we might have 10 people sign up for all three this first year,” Paula said. “But we blew past our goal and already have 40!” The race people grinned at each other happily. If YOU are still interested, check out the links and register above.
Ransome put in some ideas from the athlete’s perspective as we finished our food. Waitress Erika checked in on us often, refilling our drinks and smiling. Paula encouraged me again to try out swimming. “Give a triathlon a try!” she smiled. “They’re fun.”
If triathlons aren’t your thing, come watch and cheer. Or at least get an order of biscuits and gravy at Goshen Family Restaurant and think about it.
Do you know of an interesting place, restaurant, nonprofit, or person that you’d like to see featured in Diners and Dives? Send Shari Benyousky an email at [email protected].
