IRONMAN... Brian finished the race with flying colors. The pro-athlete who came in first said the St. George course was the hardest he had done in all 45 of his Ironmans...unfavorable conditions in the swim and high gusting winds during segments of the bike course made the course especially difficult.
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| Sand Hollow Reservoir |
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| The shore...it was an early morning with a 7 a.m. swim start time |
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| The start, before the windstorm |
The swimmers started off in flat water, 5 minutes into the swim, the wind started blowing...boats were pulling scared and exhausted swimmers out of the 3 and 4 foot swells. Each swimmer had to finish the 2.4 mile swim within an allotted amount of time or be disqualified...more then 400 athletes didn't finish the swim.
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| After the swim and he still has a smile on his face |
I was more then relieved to see Brian come out of the swim/bike transition...he even had a smile on his face while he chowed down a peanut butter and honey sandwich...I teared up at this point as we cheered him on. The kids were freezing and were happy to see Brian safe and onto the bike so they could go back and get in the bus.
My Dad came along and ended up being my quiet strength, chauffeur, and support throughout the race. He was great to be around, and patient with the kids and with me and all of our emotions and mood swings! Thanks Dad, you are the best! Brian's Dad Gary and Grandma Maurine took Sadie for us for the weekend! It was a long day and would have been really difficult with Sadie. Thank you Gary and Maurine! We appreciate you!
We saw Brian pass on the bike course while we sat down in the shade in the town of Ivins. He was in the aero position and bound and determined to finish the 112 miles within the allotted time. He was gearing up for his second loop when we saw him come through town.
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| Brian is in the back left, silver helmet, down in the aero, Ivins |
The run was the most fun to watch as we caught sight of Brian 4 times as he made his loops through town...he always looked comfortable, relaxed and happy and was actually having fun out there. What an example he was to me and the kids in setting a goal and accomplishing it. We are so proud of him!
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| Waiting on the run course |
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| More Waiting |
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| The Finish Line on Tabernacle Street in St. George, Utah |
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| After |
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| Brian finished his race in just over 15 hours. He is our IRONMAN. |
Holy cow! I can't believe he did that! It's completely amazing!! You're an awesome wife to support him through all of that, as I'm sure it was work for you too!
ReplyDeleteI second Kellie, with the Holy Cow and the You're an awesome wife! What an awesome accomplishment, Great Job Brian! Even more of an accomplishment, marrying someone like Charity, she is pretty fabulous :)
ReplyDeleteP.S. I just saw that you are expecting...that is so wonderful! It made me cry to see that it is a boy, it is so special. I wish you and your sweet little baby good health and blessings! You look beautiful as always, what do you gain, like 5 pounds? I don't know if we can be friends anymore :)
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