This was a great, fun, wild and crazy week with 14 relatives visiting us -- making 21 people in the house at times. (The 2 grandmas were smart and got a hotel, so they could retreat for peace and quiet when it got too exciting at our house.) The reason for this gathering -- besides the fact that we all just enjoy being together, was that 4 of the sisters/sisters in-law got it in our heads that we wanted to do a triathlon. I am quite proud to say that we all cheerfully made it! I am also incredibly thankful for Ali who stirred up this adventure, and for our family members who helped make it happen. I hope that next year we will have even more family members participate!
That is me coming out of the lake, and peeling off my wetsuit. I'll admit that swim was one of the most terrible things that I have experienced in a long time. If I had a choice to repeat that or childbirth. I'd choose labor and delivery. I have a lot of work to do before I try another 1/3 mile lake swim. The 14 mile bike ride was hard and tiring, but more like what I had expected. I was surprised at how hard the run was after coming off the bike. Those 4 miles felt the same as miles 22-26 in a marathon. I thought I'd do great with the run, as I am currently able to do twice that distance, but I was so focused while on the bike ride that I forgot to drink anything and became somewhat dehydrated. Now that I have done one triathlon, I know what to expect, and how to train better. I feel like I fell off a horse, and now I need to get back on. I'd like to sign up for another one in September. I'm afraid if I don't have a reason to keep working at it, I might never go swimming again.
Dallin and Jillian participated in the youth triathlon. they didn't even train, but just jumped in and did it for fun. They did well. Here are a few pictures of them.
Kaylee was a great help in getting bikes ready, helping with younger children, and cheering. She did not have time to train for the full length one, and was too old for the youth one. She hopes to do the full length one with us next year. I'm sure she will beat my times easily.
