In case you (my two dearly beloved readers) were wondering what it is like to do the Spudman triathlon, I will now turn the time over to Mike, who really did it. I just pretended.
Mike: "Thanks goodness it wasn't an Ironman." Then he felt silly about being quoted and wouldn't say anything else. I guess I will have to secretly record our conversations now so that I can quote him on my blog. Anywho. . .
The Spudman is a great first-time triathlon because the swim, the most terrifying part for many people, is in a tiger musky-free Snake River. The river carries you most of the way. You don't have to do anything but doggy paddle, stick your head in for a few strokes, pop back up for fear of drowning, back stroke madly until you realize you are going to run into a tree on the bank, doggy paddle some more, wonder why in the heck you thought you could swim, stick your head in for a few strokes and Wow! You're at the transition for the bike. It took me 21 minutes to swim one mile. This normally takes me about an hour (And that hour includes only a couple instances of hanging desperately onto the wall while gasping for breath).
The bike is nice and flat and totally relaxed, especially if you're not planning on doing that pesky last part of the tri--the 10K. I wasn't, so I enjoyed biking the flat, only a few turns, course with Cristina. I tried not to break into song about how glad I was that I wasn't going to be running-- I figured that might be annoying. I instead concentrated on why I do not currently own a road bike. Every year I plan to buy one. Then I rent one and my back aches the whole ride. Any road bikers out there? Does your back ever get used to the upright fetal position?
After the bike I wished Cristina well on her run, gathered our biking stuff into a pile and calmly walked over to the finish line and handed a lady my timing chip. I waited a few minutes and then Mike crossed the finish line! He did so well! He ran a 48 minute 10K, had a nice fast 1:14:11 bike ride and I am sorry to say that he beat my swim time with a 20:12. Mike pretends he is not an athlete, but then he just does it. Good job babe!
Next we found Matt and Kristen and all the children. They were so nice and probably wanted to kill us for leaving them in charge of waking, feeding, clothing and transporting 7 kids. I should have given them a medal for their hard work. We watched Mark cross the finish line and then watched Cristina cross. I tried to feel a little bit sorry for not running, but mostly I just felt relieved. I signed up for way too many races this year.
**Side note to Self: You may not EVER sign up for a winter racing circuit, a marathon, a 24-hour relay race and then a triathlon all within 6 months of each other. Calm down. Choose two big ones. Return to 5Ks. Maybe a 10K. Perhaps a half marathon. Wait. Just calm down. Become a biker.**
It was really a fun weekend and we really enjoyed hanging out with the Pebleys and the Kings. Cristina has been an awesome training partner! She's helped me through all this madness that I signed up for and made it enjoyable to workout. Thanks Cristina!
Mark, Mike and Me, and Cristina--all happy to be done.I also wanted to post some pictures of some shelves Mike built a couple weeks ago. Now our garage is perfectly organized. Well, it's closer at least. The shelves are awesome!
Mike even built a special shelf for my empty canning bottles. Soon these bottles will be full of peaches and applesauce!
Our garage has so much more room. We might even be able to fit two cars in it. If we owned two cars, we could definitely pull them both in. Wait, we do own two cars. Look, that red and yellow one is parked in the garage with room to spare!
9 comments:
First of all I have to tell you Brighton is almost 4, and is a boy and we just got him to pettal by himself last month(with training wheels)! I think we will wait until next year as well. Also is it possiable to do just the swimming legg of the race? It sounds nice and relaxing, do they allow you to use a raft? Really though you guys are both amazing athlets.
You guys are incredible! I would probably drown.
You are seriously rock stars. I HATE swimming so would never survive. However, I just learned about a Dualthlon in Pagosa Springs, CO and I think I'm going to train for it next year!
OK, just getting caught up... You did awesome in the spudman. Swimming and biking in a race is more than most people ever do. I agree with the fact that heartbreak should stay in college, and when we went to the temple open house, Rusti wondered why the Angel's arm and shotgun got burned. good times.
Hey Steph-
We had a great time too, but I sure glad it is over. Next time I will train a little better and, like you said, not do so many races throughout the year. Thanks for training with me too. I couldn't have done it without you. Mike's shelves look great! We need to replan our Sourdough trip. Maybe in September when our hopeful grass is already planted.
wow, those shelves are awesome - I wish Mike would come help Wade build me some! I finally cleaned enough out of our garage that wade can park in it, but I still can't...but it gives the kids a place to play, so maybe I never will.
I don't have your email, but I had a question - did you do Joyschool coop last year? I was wondering about that and how you liked it and if you had any suggestions? I'm trying to get orgainzed for Sept, and I have Noah and a mom of twins that would do it with me - so 3, 3 year olds. if you get time can you email if - wadeanddebbi@gmail.com!
Steph- the Tutu is really easy. I got the netting at Walmart. I use about 1 1/4 yard for mine so you would probably need 2 1/2 yards to make it longer. Measure a 1/2 ribbon around their waist, making sure you can tie a bow in the back. Tie a not at each end of the ribbon. Fold netting in half and cut 2inch wide sections to desired lenght. Then tie in a not around the ribbon starting a few inches over to leave room enough to tie the bow. Then cut excess netting off above the ribbon and cut bottom to desired length. This is how I did it, but really there is no exact way to do it. It was cheap and it did'nt involve any sewing so it was easy.
Sorry that was 1 1/4 yard of each color.
I'm doing the Spudman this year... my first triathlon. I chose it because of the swim course. Is the water cold enough for me to purchase a wetsuit? could you email me me? I've got some questions... pammyshep@gmail.com
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