Saturday, December 09, 2006

Ally and Bobby at the kids tri

Ally starts the run...
Bobby exits the swim...
Ally and Bobby at the finish - the best part is the free plastic bottle, medal and the pizza - just like for us grownups!
The kids did the Lifetime Fitness Kids Tri last summer. Ally was only five, so she and the other "little" kids swam 50 yards, biked 2 miles, and ran 1/2 mile. Bobby (8) had to swim 100 yards, bike 2 miles and run one mile. It was so adorable. These kids are INSPIRING.


During the swim in the 8 lane pool, there are 8 lifeguards - one per lane. The kids are given the option of having the lifeguard stand at the end of the lane, or get in the water with them and stay by their side. Some of the littlest kids that needed the lifeguard with them were the most inspiring because even though they struggled and had to hold onto the lane line a bit, they would NOT give up. Some would rest for what seemed like forever, but with that lifeguard by their side, they just dug in and stayed committed. Made quite a few spectators a little weepy - including me. What determination.


Bobby cut his ankle on his pedal during the bike, so he was all bloody at the finish, but he was kinda proud of it. He kept saying, "it's nothing - I'm allright". I was volunteering in transition, so I didn't even know he had finished (or was hurt) until I heard my name paged - I guess they expect the parents of bleeding kids to come to their aid. Bob (with camera) was busy looking for Ally to come in off the bike course, so neither of us even saw Bobby's finish - oops.

7 comments:

Nancy Toby said...

What beautiful kids! I'm afraid I'll be a rabid triathlete mom.... I guess they need to learn to swim and ride their bikes first, though, right?

jbmmommy said...

I can't wait until my boys are old enough for racing of any kind. Hot Wheels already asks to do his own running race, maybe next summer when he's 4. Of course Superman hears him talk about racing and chimes in "Me too! Me too!" but I'm not sure how big the 2-year old race circuit is. Great that you're such a good role model for your kids to lead a healthy lifestyle. They did great!!

crazy tri mama said...

So cool that you have opportunities like this in your area. I love it when I see moms influencing their kids in a HEALTHY way. Keep up the good work! I love reading your blog by the way!!

greyhound said...

So . . . uh, . . . they've got lane ropes at Ironman, right?

SingletrackJenny (formerly known as IronJenny) said...

Greyhound - yes, there are lane lines at IMWI - that's why eveybody wants to do that race. And people stay in them and wait their turn....


bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
;-)

DV said...

awesome! but did they get to play on the kick-a*s water slide after the race??? They have that at IMWI, right??

SingletrackJenny (formerly known as IronJenny) said...

TriJack -
Yes, they actually do have something at IMWI like that kick a*s water slide... it's called the Helix. But it is not as much fun as a water slide. I'm not sure if I should even tell you about it, maybe just let you get there prior to the race and see it for yourself... hmmm....

OK, I'll tell you. After you exit the swim, you have to run UP this helix shaped parking ramp. Yeah - you're pretty tired and it just goes around, and around... then you hop on your bike and ride your brakes down it.

I hope this link works - it's a photo of it.

http://triathlon4celiac.com/db4/00317/triathlon4celiac.com/_uimages/IMG_0060.jpg