Ford decided that he would like to try a triathlon -- don't most 8 year olds have that desire? Crazy! But there is a camp here at St. Michael's School where the kids spend two weeks of their summer training and preparing for the St. Louis Kids Triathlon. Well, he is now hooked and has registered for his 2nd on Labor Day! The triathlon is adjusted for the ages of the kids. Ford had to swim 100 yards, bike 1 mile and run 1/2 mile. It doesn't sound too bad until you realize you literally jump out of the pool, run to the bike and try to get clothes on your wet body, hop on bike, hop off bike and remove helmut and start running. Transitions are crazy and it is a lot of movement for an 8 year old body in a short period of time -- heck, it is a lot of movement for ANY body! I couldn't swim 100 yards if my life depended on it!
Ford finished 4th out of the 9 year old boys -- he isn't even 9 yet but they go by age by the end of the year. He did all that swimming, biking and running in 20 minutes and 14 seconds. If he could have gotten his socks on his wet feet, he would have shaved his time by 4 minutes easily! :)
Here are some photos of his great accomplishment -- I'm amazingly proud of his strength and endurance!
Brent and Ford waiting for his group to be called to the pool . . . he loved that they number your body. Kids love to draw on themselves!
Almost done with 75 yards . . .
Darn socks and shoes . . . we are going to practice putting socks on wet feet prior to the Labor Day event! :)
Second loop of the 1 mile bike course -- it was downhill as you took off but sadly, you had to bike back up the hill twice!
And running uphill just before the finish line . . . tired but doing amazing!
And finally, my stinkin' cute triathlete! He is inspiring!
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