Triathlon

Eli wanted to do a triathlon again this year. This would make #3: last year we missed it for some other event, but he was adamant about getting back to it. (Maddux opted out.) He even trained a few times, doing a full 100m swim, 2 mile bike and 1 mile run two weeks ago. (All by his own motivation.)

This morning's event was predicted to be a wet one with thunderstorms likely throughout the entire morning. When we arrived at 6AM, the skies were clear and they remained that way until Eli transitioned to the pool to start his race around 8:30. Sprinkles started during his bike and then drops fell through his run. The real fun started just as he crossed the finish line: thunder, lightning and hard rain poured on us for the next 30-40 minutes as we tried to find cover, then get his bike and gear out of the transition area before walking to our car across the highway. All of the while, Eli was smiling; he even said, "Hey, it's not like we can get any wetter!"

Eli did really well, passing several kids on the swim, keeping up with road bikes (he has a mountain bike) and passing several on the bike portion, and running just off of his fast pace for the final leg of the race. He didn't beat his best friend, but he definitely had a good race and he's already asking when his age qualifies him for longer distances.

Triathlon

Last year, Eli competed in his first Triathlon. We trained all summer and he had a great experience. Maddux wasn't old enough, but we have been talking about her competing as well all year. Unfortunately, with the arrival of Ruby, our training has not been nearly as consistent this time around. Truth be told, it's been almost non-existent. The kids swam enough with swim team to train up for that part, so 'check'. We went for a few longer bike rides, so we'll call that 'close enough'. Two or three times, Lehr or I have taken them to the school to run their track four times (1/2 mile - the distance of the final tri leg): 'that'll do'. Finally, I had them work on their transitions last week, using the driveway as the transition area and the cul-de-sac as the race course. Eli sailed right through, remembering his strategy from last year. He and I tried to help Maddux keep her area orderly, but she opted for a more relaxed workspace. (She made it through her clothing change, but it did take longer because she was a little spread out.)

Today was the day to put all four components to the test. We got up at 5AM, all 5 of us, and loaded into the car. Check-in for body marking and transition loading was 6:15AM; race started at 7:40. It was actually a little chilly this morning, but both kids brought sweatshirts to wear before the sun came up. They lined up together (their numbers were only 5 apart); Drew also completed the race and had a number near them, which Eli was very happy about. The kids sailed through their swim, did great on their bike, and sprinted their run. The boys did very well, which was expected given that they were basically neck and neck the whole race (Drew finished first). Maddux was a bit behind them, but she really held her own. I felt bad that we hadn't trained her as much, but the great number of volunteers helped keep her on course. She walked a little of the run, but ended strong and earned her medal. (The race distance was 100m swim, 3 mile bike, .5 mile run. Eli: 28:51, Maddux: 42:07)

Tri Training

The kids are getting excited about their triathlon in a few weeks. This will be Eli's second and Maddux's first. While we didn't do as extensive of a training schedule as last year, the kids swim laps weekly, if not daily, and biking is part of their regular routine. The last two weeks have found the kids at their school after hours a few times; they like to practice their running on "Big Red". Eli has a time in mind for his 1/2 mile run, so he's been trying to beat that. Maddux is just trying to make it the whole way without walking....we're not there yet.

This week we practiced our transitions. Eli remembered everything from last year and set up his station like a pro. Organized and thought-out, I'd have expected nothing less from my first-born. Maddux's was a bit more disheveled (the towel 'base' was even folded up and disorderly) and random; also just as I'd expected. They both had a great time going through the motions of swimming, transition, biking, transition, running. I think they're going to have a blast.

Triathlete

A little over a month ago, Eli and I saw a sign for a kids' triathlon at the end of August. Eli asked about the event and decided he wanted to participate. For the first week he did great with his training, but, as expected, his passion for training went away quickly. But once a week he would go to the gym with me and do a solid hour training with brick workouts or transition practice. And when the triathlon happened in the Olympics, he watched every second. (1 1/2 hours!)

Yesterday was the event, and it was an early day. We had to be at the aquatic center at 6:!5AM, which meant us pulling out of the driveway at 5 (gasp) 30 in the morning. (When I woke her up, Maddux said, "But it's still dark outside!!") We got to the staging area right away and Eli set up his transition. Parents were not allowed in that area at all, so Eli had to set it up by himself. Then we waited. And waited. Finally they lined the kids up just after 8AM and marched the first group into the pool area. Lehr, Maddux and I waited near the entrance to give him a final send off. Maddux high-fived him and Eli blew a kiss at her. MELT!

The race was aged 6-17years old, so Eli was on the young side. Out of 880 racers, he was number 62. Because I wanted to be outside for the transition and to see some of his bike and run, we did not go inside for the swim. We watched him run through the transition area perfectly, very focused, and get on his bike right after the 'mount line'. He did need a little help steadying himself because he was in such a rush :)

Eli came in from the bike telling me that his shoe was untied. Thankfully one of the coaches he knew was right there and helped him tie it. Then he took off running. I ran along side his course as long as I could before the out and back intersected and I was forced to stop. I caught him again as he came back (he told me he and Drew saw each other over that line as well and high-fived), and he sprinted to the finish.

100m swim, 3mile bike, 1/2 mile run...all in a day's work for Eli. He loved every second of it and already asked if he can do another.

Eli's Tri Training

We're still moving through the training. Eli has not been training throughout the week, but he's hitting it hard on Saturdays when we go to the Tri Clinics. This last week Eli got to practice transitions. He ran into the transition area, wearing a suit and goggles, and practiced drying off, putting on socks, shoes, shirt (with number) and a bike helmet. Then he biked a mile or so and came back into transition to take off his helmet and drop off his bike before heading back out to run about 1/2 mile. A few rounds of that and he was exhausted!

Tri Training with Eli

So we're a week into training, and so far-so good. Eli ran at the YMCA training this weekend - just about 10 minutes worth, broken up with a few rests, but that's most likely the longest he'd have to run during the race anyway. This last week he and I trained together during the day: he swam over 200M a few times (broken up into two sections) and he's biked 15-40 minutes three times. This weekend he even did his first 'brick': ran in the morning and then got on his bike for a half hour when we got home.

Triathlon

Eli is signed up for his first Triathlon. About a week ago I saw a flyer for a kids' Triathlon in the area, and the next day I saw that our YMCA was offering a few 'training' sessions for the event. I offered it up to Eli and he totally jumped on board. The distances are very short and well within the reality of his ability: swim 100M, bike 3 miles, and run 1/2 mile. He could honestly do all of that today, so I'm hoping it is a very enjoyable experience for him.