Fantastic Weekend Part 1: Triathlon

Hi. Jared here. I am on Amanda's computer while George works on ours. Hopefully we can get our problems figured out once and for all. Anyway, here are some pictures and details from the triathlon I did last weekend. It was sponsored by the Bath YMCA, and it was called the Y-Tri. Once again, it was awesome! I can't wait for next year, and I am considering training for some more that go on in Maine this summer, like the Colby triathlon, Maine State Tri, etc. The race consisted of 1/4 mile swim, a 12 mile bike ride, and a 5K run. The strangest part, for me, were the "transition" areas. I came out of the water and ran out to where my bike was "parked." Then, soaking wet, I had to put on my socks and shoes, helmet, gloves, and shirt, and start riding. Weird.

Here I am after coming out of the water and getting ready to embark on the bike portion.... And here I am leaving the "transition area" en route to riding around the coastal back roads of Bath, Maine. I thought it was a wicked hilly course...no real recovery time, as it was up one hill, down the next, and so on. Actually, the bike ride was the worst part!

Here I am with Milan and Kylian Babik after the race. Milan was the one who really encouraged me to sign up for this tri, so again I want to thank him for all his help! I dont want to embarrass Milan, but he's an exceptional athlete, finishing fourth overall in the race. The little guy he is holding (Kylian) is merely hours older than Callum; we were in the hospital with the Babik's when the babies were born!

The sweet taste of victory!

Callum and I enjoy a delicious (and only a dollar!) chocolate ice cream cone at the Red Barn after the race. I met Amanda, Callum, Lynne, and George for some world-class seafood stew, a haddock basket, and, of course, a tasty frozen treat. This was Callum's first "official" ice cream cone; suffice to say he enjoyed it! Our camera batteries died, but I would have loved to have gotten a picture of his hands, shirt, and pants after the dessert was gone.... Many thanks to Jane, for willing to be my "photographer" for the race. Here I am mere feet away from the finish line. We finished with the run. It was amazing to have fellow athletes and volunteers all cheering me on as I approached the gate....the whole spirit of the triathlon was wonderful, as we all supported one another on the road. There was no air of "arrogance" or attitude; it was great.

And who could forget the free massage after!!!