Take Flight Triathlon

 

Eric and I had a blast yesterday at the Take Flight Triathlon in Huntersville.  We had some great friends compete in the Sprint Distance Triathlon, consisting of a 250 meter swim, 10 mile bike and 5K run.  Sydney had been talking up the triathlon since July and all she wanted was MORE COWBELL!  After our 5K on Saturday, Cody and I decked out these amazing cowbells for all of the tri participants in our party!

 

The relay team "Old Rams" consisted of some great Harding University High School alumni: Cody Elder starring in the 250 meter swim, Detra Euland rocking out on the 10 mile bike, and the infamous Maria Pruszynska finishing up the race with the 5K run.

Due to an unfortunate road closure, I was 5 minutes late to the start of the race, which was just enough time to miss Cody's entire leg of the race!  Yup, it only took him 3:28 to complete the swim... what WHAT!?!  Detra took off on the bike and never stopped!  She completed the bike in a mere 38:05, averaging just shy of 16 miles per hour, on an extremely hilly course!  Maria brought it home on the 5K, running 29:12 on a very difficult course:  apparently there was an extra part of the run that was not listed on the original course map... and the course consisted of a series of out-and-back dead ends and hill after hill after hill.  Overall, the Old Rams were 8th out of 27 relay teams, with an overall time of 1:12:54.

I had no doubt in my mind that Sydney would finish the triathlon, but she was worrying herself silly about the race.  Although the night before the race, I dreamed that she would not leave the transition after the swim.  Also in my dream, Maria overslept for the race, Detra's spokes fell off her wheels, and Dana completed the swim in 1 minute!  None of this actually happened.  Apparently when she went with Cody to pick up her packet, she punched Cody hard and said "What the HELL did you get me into?!"  I think that Cody was quite frightened and the race staff were equally worried for the boy's safety.  Every small detail was making her more and more nervous.  Cody strategically coordinated with Sydney and Dana's friends and family to arrive after Sydney started the bike because if she saw them before the race started, she would be even more worried.  I briefly spoke to Sydney during her bike to run transition and I knew she was golden.  She saw smiling and waving and having a blast... and looking great all at the same time!  It was very emotional to see Sydney finish the race.  She is 63 years old and has been working her butt off since July.  Training was hard work, but it paid off!  After the race, she RAN up to me and gave me a hug and said how much it meant to her that we were there supporting her.  I have no idea what she was doing still running around, but she was glowing with happiness... finished her first triathlon, was surprised by family and friends, who came all the way from Virginia to support and cheer her on, AND SHE GOT HER COWBELL!!!
Sydney's Results:
250 meter swim: 8:59
T1: 3:14
10 mile bike: 47:58
T2: 2:26
5K run: 44:35
Overall time: 1:47:10

Sydney also got to take home some hardware (apart from the cowbell), because she was 1st in her age group 60-65!  Okay, so she was the only one in her age group, but I think that is saying what a beast Sydney is!  We are so proud of her accomplishment!

Dana had a different theory about why Cody talked his parents
into doing the triathlon: he was after their life insurance policy!  Dana had some nagging knee and ankle problems flare up during his training, and I think that he had to adjust his training schedule to accommodate his ailments.  Dana was using the back stroke strategy for his swim, and Eric was really scared he was going to bump his head.  With one lap left on the swim, he was still hollering and being the same silly Dana.  When he got to the first transition, he was just hanging out, taking his sweet time, but finally got his bike gear on and took off!  Dana had a solid bike and was still smiling when he got back from the run.  At the start of the run, he was still joking around and even acted like he was going to sprint the 5K... for the first 10 feet at least.  We were worried that Dana was going to miss the awards ceremony because they were scheduled to start before all of the athletes had finished, but I think that he purposefully timed it to get in right at the start of the ceremony.  It was perfect, because there was a large crowd right at the finish line and the emcee encouraged everybody to cheer him through the finish.  If he would have finished before the start of the ceremony, he would not have had the crowd bringing him home, and if he had finished halfway (or more) through the awards ceremony, half of the crowd would have been gone.  Dana finished strong, with enough time to get some ice on his ankle and collect his medal... 2nd in his age group!!!  Cody usually brings medals back for his papa, bu not today... this one was for Cody!
Dana's Results:
250 meter swim: 10:15
T1: 6:58
10 mile bike: 47:35
T2: 4:05
5K run: 47:45
Overall time: 1:56:35

Sydney had the bragging rights this time, but it was truly an inspirational morning for every body involved.  I might be a total wimp for saying this, but I was tired after cheering for 4 hours, and my bicep was actually sore from ringing my cowbell...pathetic, eh?  I am so proud that they both were able to train hard and achieve a very impressive goal.  There was about 20 friends and family out to support "Team Elder" and I am so thankful that I am part of the extended family.  I hope to still be as enthusiastic and active when I am in my mid-sixties!

We finished off our morning with a well-earned breakfast from Bob Evans.  What a great day to spend with friends!

The Elder Family after the race... and still standing!

Showing off the hardware!