Well…school is off and going, all is settling down – sorta – and I finaly got these pix ready to share. Enjoy the story!
It all started the day before – with registration. And as ANYone who has done races knows, its the time you get all the LOOT! That is, cool race tshirt, water bottles, etc. It was exciting for him bc he always loves to check out our loot bags.
Next was the mandatory swim test for first timers. He had to swim a 50m and this was his POST-TEST pic. He was relieved…so funny
Another BIG moment for any triathlete – body marking! You get arms marked w/race # and back of leg marked w/your age (so you can see what age groups your PASSING when you fly past!)
Next its time to setup transition area. Its a skill…we practiced. You have a predetermined place on the rack and you can only put your gear under your bike at the rack. He did awesome…w/a little help from Daddy.
So many life lessons learned. One was patience. He was the LAST age group to enter the water. They did an awesome job – 2 kids per lane, only 4 lanes at a time in waves. So the water was cleared b4 next group entered. Very safe, very organized. He was the youngest age group – 7 yr olds. He sat in the stands waiting for 1.5 hrs til he entered the water. I was a nervous wreck…he rocked.
He did great on the swim. He amazes me…he side breathes both sides, good long fluid stroke (thanks Alyse!!). He did do his lil breast stroke to rest a few times, but I’d say 90% was freestyle. It was a pride thing, I think. He was excited to tell me that on the 1st lap he was 1st to the wall (how’d he notice that?). I’m still blown away that he blew thru 100m like no big deal.
Now, THIS shot tells the story of the day…and of the kid…and…of the SOCKS. If you dont know, most triathletes dont put on socks. You bike/run barefooted inside your shoes. Wet feet are hard to put socks on and its a RACE, you dont want to spend an hr in transition. Well…lets just say he was VERY particular about putting these socks on. We were all there cheering…and trying to hold in giggles as he took longer to transition than to swim 100m! Such a kid…looking around, paying attention to everything BUT hurrying thru it. Perfect. So perfect.
Here was his #1 fan…albeit a lil cranky (she is SO not a morning person…hmmm where does she get THAT?). Her woofy and thumb were very important part of the morning for her. Remember, we got up at 5a and race began at 8a (Braeden not starting til 9:30a).
Here he goes out of Transition 1 – it seemed to take forever, but he was on the move…you cant mount your bike til you pass the red line outside of transition area…so many rules!
"Makin his move". He kept asking Brent, "Now Dad, when I"m in the race, when should I make my move". Brent said whenever you feel good enough, you give it your all! He pedaled THIS hard the entire 3 miles…
AND this hard the entire .5 mile run!! He was great…when he needed to rest, he’d walk and then FULL SPRINT again.
And at the finish, I dont know when I’d ever seen him smile more. He seemed TOO grown up…but yet, so independant. He did it ALL himself. Crazy.
And these were his adoring fans…all 4 grandparents came out for the race (along w/Uncle Todd!!). Notice the snazzy tshirts…
So…all to say, despite the sock escapade, he walked away with 2nd in his age group! He medaled! WOW…it was awesome. We were all ready to give him the ol youdidyourbestandthatsgoodenough speech WHEN he didnt place. HA – shows what we know. How dare we doubt his efforts. We wont again!
ANd just think…if we can ditch the socks, next time he may be a gold medaler! Thanks for caring enough to read/watch the pix. Boy, do I get excited to think of what the Lord has planned for this kid…stay tuned
jennifer Murphy
How great is that?!
Loved seeing Braedo…such a BIG boy!
Big Props to him for me…
Jen M
Stephanie Richardson
I love it!!! I’m going to show Will when he gets home. What a neat thing for them to do. My brother and sister-in-law are triathletes. So proud of him! Tell him congrats!!
julie
You tell Braeden I am so proud of him. These pics are great. Your family is so cute
Julie
Shaila
How awesome! He has me in tears. Thanks for sharing your amazing gift with us!
oh, love the new video.
Cheri
Too cute. My kids are sock wearers…it’s a blister thing. 😉