Kids Triathlon

This morning at water aerobics, I listened to the ladies talk about the kids triathlon. It sounded very cute, and I thought that maybe my boys would like to try it. I went home and started my campaign.

Boaz wanted to know if Josh was going to do it. Then he was in.

Josh was more hesitant. I kept talking it up though. It would be fun. It doesn't matter if you come in first. It's just important to try and finish the race. It would be fun. I showed him the information and we talked about how far 25 yards in the pool is. He was confident about his biking ability -- 280 yards and the run was a bit of an after thought -- 175 yards. I talked him into it. YEA !

So we were off early so I could get them regestered. And the first 50 kids got T-shirts. We took care of business, and then I realized that I forgot the goggles. My boys won't do anything in the water without their goggles. So I ran home and also picked up towels. What was I thinking?!?

Boaz went in the first heat. He was to swim 25 yards (the length of the pool) bike 165 yards and run 75 yards. I was fairly confident that he would be among the leaders. Even if he is only just 5 (in May) and the age group is 5 - 6 year olds. I think he's a little stud.

So he gets ready and isn't nervous at all. The whistle blows and he jumps in and paddles away. He cuts the other boy off in the lane and come out a little slower than the girls. The girls are older than he is, and one is swimming on a noodle. We run to his bike and I have a hard time with his shoes. So he starts a bit slower. The other boy in his lane was in a life jacket. Boaz started off on his bike first, but the other boy had tires that were twice as big as Boaz's little tiny tires. So Boaz had to work twice as hard to go the same distance. The boy caught him during the bike ride. And my little stud Boaz ran as hard as he could for the finish line in last place. He was proud of himself though. He kept asking if I was so proud of him. I assured him I was, over and over again. His little chest was heaving, he worked so hard. I decided that I was a bit too competitive on behalf of my 5 year old. He did such a good job and was very proud of his medal. (All the kids got one. :)

Josh was interested that we were ready, he wanted to know where he was going and where his shoes would be. I forgot to move his bike into position, and he told me about it for a while. I should have been more ready for his race. Oppsie. Oh well, the bike now in place, we get ready for the start. They are off, and Josh has decided to swim the back stroke. He has good form, but I smiled at my boy. He can do the crawl, but just isn't as confident. He does well, and we are off for the bikes. Drat those shoes again. But with his helmet on, he's off. The boy just behind him had bigger tires and I thought, here we go again. Bigger tires, faster bike. But Josh held him off. And then he held him off running. But he carried his helmet the whole 175 yards. He forgot to leave it with his bike, and he didn't want to drop it. He did great, and was beaming and breathing with the effort. He received his medal and I went for the bike.

You know, it's hard to ride a kids bike. My knees weren't anywhere near extended. And then they were right under my chin. I was laughing to much at myself and almost fell off, but made it safely.

Both boys in their new lime green shirts very proud of themselves and thier accomplishments.