‘Twas the night before tri season, when all through the house,

Not an athlete was stirring, not even a mouse;

The transition bags were all packed with care,

In hopes that smooth racing soon would be there;

The athletes were nestled all snug in their compression gear,

While visions of podiums danced in their heads;

and with the bikes all pumped, and all in their swimcaps,

Had just settled down for their pre race naps,

When out on college road, there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window, I flew like a flash,

Tore open the hurricane shutters and threw up the gels fast (ed: i have a nervous stomach)

The moon on the breast (ed: hee hee) of the calm lagoon,

Gave the lustre of mid day to and hopes of no typhoon,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a very large pentalon and several triathletes.

With a lead cyclist, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be Harris of Bicycle Fit

More rapid than eagles his racers they came,

And he whistled and shouted “Hey-ay”, and called them by name:

“Now, BETSY! now, NOELLE! now, BRAD and RENEE!

On, GILBERT! on TIM! on MOE and DEIRDRE!

Now, CINDY! now, ROGER! now, DOUG and AMY!

On, CINDY! on APRIL! on LIZ and BILL!

Now, IAN! and BEHMKE! and DEKEYSERS aplenty!

On, WENDY! on JENNA! on JAMIE and LAURIE!

(ed. and everyone I forgot)

To the START of the race! To the TOP of the Age Group!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!!

Dave sprang to his bike, to his team gave a Hey-ay,

And away they all flew, peddling with all their might,

But I heard him exclaim, ere he rode out of sight,

“HAPPY TRI SEASON TO ALL, AND TO ALL A PR!”