Spudman

Saturday I competed in the Spudman Triathlon in Burley, Idaho. I haven't done this race since my second season doing triathlons in 2001, so was excited to be back and experience the new course. While Kaitlyn did, I didn't sleep well the night before. I woke up about every 30 minutes to look at the time, and inbetween that drempt I woke up late. When I finally did wake up (at 4:15 AM) to that first of three alarms I set, it was actually a relief. Got everything set up in the first transition area and walked across a golf course - can't say that happens everyday - to the start.
I had a great swim. It was so nice not to have to fight for position with other swimmers. The swim was nice and smooth, and I pushed it a little more than usual. The current was lovely! There was a 60 year old man, Donald Morehouse, that unfortunately died in a later wave. Please pray for his family. 1 mile: 15:40
The bike was also great. I have got to be faster here if I want to place well, and did raise my average. I kept a great cadence and pace, pushed hard, and was a little nervous how my legs would be for the run, but it was worth it. The course was almost completely flat and ran through farmland, it was very enjoyable. 25 miles: 1:13
The run was great. I really look forward to it every race. The legs felt good and I got settled into a good pace and passed a lot of people. I ran with a really nice guy who helped me push hard the last 2 miles. 6.2 miles: 46:47
I had 2 goals. One was to get under 2:30, and the other was to place in my age group and earn a coveted trophy specific to this race. So....2:19, and 1st in my age group, 15th woman overall in a combined field of almost 2000 people and.....

Meet Mr. Spud!

Going back in time a little, thursday the 24th we took off for Logan and camped at Hyrum State Park. Very fun. Nice soft grass and a shady tent site.

While Jer got some fishing in up Blackfork Canyon, the kids and I met up with an online friend of mine Ann and her little girl Kayla. Yeah, Mckayla was thrilled. The kids played on the rocks before having a great time in the lake. Great to meet you Ann! I told Jer you weren't the 50 year old fat balding cyber stalker he thought you were ;-)




We drove into Logan that night for some yummy pizza. On the way back to camp we stopped at a little beach for our water baby to get a litte more swim time. The sun was going down but no matter to her. Talm was her lifeline - Yes we tied a rope to the back of her life jacket. Don't call CPS.

Friday morning Jer did some more fishing and got some great pics.




That morning we headed up to Burley and set up camp in a park across from the airport.
Mckayla met a little friend from there with her family who was there for the triathlon too. When I got to camp from picking up my packet Jer told me Mckayla met a deaf girl. She could apparently read lips because she'd answer Mckayla's questions, but would answer in sign language. After heading over to their camp to say hi her mother informed me that she wasn't deaf at all, just liked to pretend. A little Diva just like our Mckayla. This mom asked me where we were from. We both had a good laugh when she told me Mckayla said we were from Brazil. She swears that's where we live, and I have no idea why. Silly girl. While in camp Mckayla also made a little leaf trail for a mouse she found (no we did not let her touch it) to lead him to his new home she built him.

Later that day Daddy snuck off to the golf course and we caught some pics of him.



I took the kids to the park and guess where we played? The water, some more. Talm has this lovely habit of going in fully clothed.


It was a nice trip, lots of driving, but not too bad. We even spoiled our kids more and stopped at Lagoon on the way home Saturday to use our bounceback passes. It's hard to pass up $8 Lagoon tickets.


Talmage was in heaven examining the model trains in the model train museum. I had no idea that was there, but it was cool (interesting and air conditioned, yes!)


Daddy and Talm after running through the fountains. Talm loved it apparently.
The girls on the "fairest" wheel.