Racine Triathlon

This weekend, we journeyed back to Brian's home city, Racine, Wisconsin for the The Spirit of Racine Triathlon. It was a filled with racing, watching others race, and getting together with friends and family. Brian and our friends Chris and David raced the Sprint distance (750 meter swim, 12.4 mile bike and 3.1 run). Chris & Penny's friend Jessica raced the Women's only event (sprint distance). And Jessica's husband, Jim, and a couple other people Chris & Penny know who we had dinner with the night before, raced the Half Ironman (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike course and 13.1 mile run). Chris placed #1 in his age group (also Brian's age group). And Brian did incredible again too, placing 34th overall, and 6th in his age group.

C would not get in the picture, but H was an excellent spectator --
even in the cold and the rain.

Maybe we were just caught up in the moment, but Penny and I agreed to do the Women's Only event next year. Actually, I think it's a great goal (believe it or not, I turn 40 next year...), and right now, I'm excited about it. But we'll see how I am come July 2009.

Do you see this lady below? She's my inspiration. 77 years old! Amazing. I think I'm going to print her photo out and paste it on my mirror.

Roasting marshmallows at Jim and Jessica's.

Here's the scene from the Half. It did clear up later in the day,
but when the race began, it was pretty nasty out. There were a ton of people participating and watching, and it was just really fun to see.

Brian put in a special request for shout-outs. Thanks to H & C for making signs. Thanks to Mom for having our crew over the night before the event (and letting us stay the weekend). Thanks to Pam, Ian, Mackenzie and Mom for coming down to watch. Thanks to Jim and Jessica (and Chris & Penny) for having our gang and others over the night before the Half. It was a great weekend.