They say good friends won't let you do silly things alone.... here's some living proof of that.
at some point this year Kim, Jess and I decided to do a triathlon... Kim & Jess swear it was my idea and I guess it probably was but I didn't have to twist their arms too hard... everyone keeps asking us why we did it... I guess the answer is because we could... or because it was on the bucket list - or because I hate running and it sounded like more fun than that or maybe because....
Jess says she's just in the race for the free bananas :-) and she also often reminds us that we are lapping everyone on their couch. To prove it, she incessantly showed up to the gym and was there rain or shine every weekend convincing me to get out of bed early to practice... and we all know how much I love mornings... one of my favorite moments of the whole experience, Jess and I were at a park practicing swimming and running - we looked super stupid I'm sure and as we left some lady stopped us and asked us what we were training for - she told us she was "cheering for us" - we laughed all the way home - but felt just slightly better about ourselves....
Kim just says she's doing it because we made her - however I question that when I think back to all the races she convinced us to sign up for... every time I'm running alone and I want to walk I think of what she would say about that.... (I call it summoning my inner Kim)
whatever the case it made for some interesting and fun memories - the thing about a sprint triathlon (what we did) is that each thing on its own isn't so scary - (swim 500meters, bike 12.5 miles, run 5k) those events back to back are a little more frightening... (as are the outfits you have to wear to do this - if you don't believe me check out the pictures below - not pretty)
anyway enough of all that - here's the story in photos: enjoy
It all started with the tinsel toe race in December - a 5k where you had to dress up "in tinsel" and run in probably the worst blizzard of the year... sounds like fun we said.... and so we dressed up like trees and we ran... (well there was some walking)
and... if that wasn't fun enough - there was the 2/2 race (2 miles on feb. 2 at - 2:00) I kept having to ask Kim what time it started (numbers aren't my thing) Lexi and I did that one with Kim, Natalie and Abby - I'm pretty sure Kim had to carry the kids most of the 2 miles - great training!
The training continued - it got a little warmer and quite a few of us ran the color run - a 5k where you get paint thrown on you - doesn't this look like a fun time?
A quick 10k in Holland during Tulip time - because Kim has never been to Tulip Time (I'm not sure she technically has been there yet since after we ran, I was so pumped up that instead of going to the tulip festival... we went and bought my new bike... (it turns out you need a bike for a triathlon) Once the bike was purchased it was time to get serious... shortly after Jess bought a bike and then it was very serious!
we ran and biked and swam when we could to try to get ready for the race - some training days were better than others and there were a few days where this seemed like the worst idea ever (those were the Saturdays where we practiced the race - or anytime we swam). But the famous last words were "I regret that workout" said no one, ever
Then one day Linda invited me for a bike ride around Gull Lake... little did she know how persuasive I can be... and then there was 4 of us signed up... sorry Linda :-)
Finally after 20+ weeks, race day came along and we all I'm sure secretly considered excuses - but in the end we all showed up (a little tired from lack of sleep the night before)
Kim, Traci & Jess pre-race
Linda getting ready to start the duathlon
The 3 of us plus Bob Treat watching the olympic distance swimmers and trying not to panic
Down by the water just before the start of our wave - we are freaking out right now - I wonder is there an exit strategy?
me coming in from the swim - whew the worst part is over - I was tired before I even swam 100 meters....
Kim coming in from the swim
Jess, done with the swim and running to transition
Me coming in from the bike portion
Kim flying to the dismount line
Jess... done biking - with her feet out of her cages
and Linda finishing the bike portion and looking way too happy~
Oh so close to the finish line
Kim I can't believe you are smiling that much right now
Jess also smiling.... (maybe i missed something - I was not smiling)
Linda, very happy to be almost done
the best part...
To Kim, Jess and Linda - thanks for checking this one off the bucket list with me! I will never forget it.
