The family that tri's together, stays together

August 9, 2005

DARRELL L. BREESE\Frontiersman reporter

KNIK - Lance Cramer didn't have the fanciest clothes or the latest high-tech equipment at Sunday's Alaska Triathlon State Championships held at Knik Lake. But, he had something even better.

Cramer had the company of his family. Joined by father Rick and sister Darcy, they formed relay team LDR.

The Cramers each have different strengths and different training schedules. But thanks to the triathlon, they had a common bond Sunday.

"What's really cool is that relay teams are allowed," Rick said. "You can just swim, or just bike or just run. It's great for us.

The fact that all of them can participate in some portion of the triathlon regardless of their schedules, athletic ability or equipment was a big selling point when Rick first approached the kids with the idea of entering Sunday's event.

For Lance and Darcy, this marks their first encounter with the triathlon. Having the family for support and not needing to be a marquee athlete made the decision to compete Sunday easy.

"I'm recovering from ankle surgery and needed something to help me get back in shape," Rick Cramer said. "That's the common thread among most triathletes, health. I'm doing it to get back in shape. I love feeling the energy you get from competing. And the kids are involved with their high school cross-country teams, so they need the workout too."

The Cramers certainly had their share of fun regarding the race. There was the occasional debate in the days prior to the race over whether or not one of them would finish their leg.

Lance wasn't sure about his dad's ability to complete the swim leg, and Rick wondered how Lance would handle the 40-kilometer bike leg. Darcy, the youngest of the Cramers, was confident with the running leg.

"We've been running 10 miles a day for (high school) cross-country practices," she said. "And the run is only 7 miles. I'll be able to do it easy."

The Cramers stress that wasn't about where they or anyone else finished. In fact, competing in the race is more of a reward.

"We had an understanding," said Rick, with a laugh. "The goal was for each of us to finish their leg and thus finish the race, that's the most important part."

Rick, who led off the triathlon relay, kept a promise he made to his kids Sunday.

"I told them that I would finish," Rick said. "I promised that I would not be the last one out of the water, that I would beat at least one person."

He delivered, climbing from the cold water of Knik Lake with a 30-second lead over the final swimmer.

While he was swimming the final 100 meters, Lance held himself up by leaning against the tattered handlebar wraps on his mother's Schwinn road bike. Lance managed to pass one competitor during the bike leg before handing off to Darcy.

Darcy managed to get past three other competitors during the run, helping Team Cramer finish in 3:14:24.

Although their time wasn't impressive and they weren't among the race leaders, 16-year-old Lance put things into proper perspective.

"It wasn't easy, but it wasn't as difficult as I thought," said Lance. "It was a different experience. But we did it together as a family."