The Ireland's: Triathalons

10.06.2011

Pensacola Beach Triathalon

Chris participated in his second triathalon on Saturday, October 1st. Since the race was an hour and a half away in Pensacola Beach we decided to go Friday and stay the night. We left Avery with my parents so that she didn't have to get up at 5:30 Saturday morning. Chris and I split a hotel room with Jack and Lachlyne, Chris' co-workers, who also participated in the race. Race day was cold and windy. I think it was in the low 50's that morning, which is chilly for Florida in October! I stayed in pants and a sweatshirt until about 10:00 that morning and was cold even in my sweatshirt! Thank goodness for hot chocolate to help keep me warm while watching the race! Fortunately for the participants (all 1,200 of them!) the water was a warm 81 degrees. Of course, getting out was a bit chilly. They also had to swim through hundreds of JELLY FISH.... Chris said his entire body was stinging through half of the bike ride after the swim.... Glad I wasn't the one in the water! hehe.

Stats for the race: swim = 600 yard, bike = 18 miles, run = 5k (3.2miles)

Love seeing the sun rise over 1200 participants by the ocean!

Danny (purple cap) and Chris (white cap)

Danny, Jack, Lachlyne and Chris waiting for the race to begin- and freezing!!

Chris is the one on the left in the white cap

finishing the 18 mile bike ride

starting his 3.2 mile run

feeling good!

finishing the race!!!!

2nd triathalon complete!!!!

I am so proud of him!

Danny and Gwen
So glad I had Gwen to hang out with during the race- love that woman!!

Chris did fantastic and finished the race in 1 hour 40 minutes (approximately.... I actually don't know his exact time...) I am so proud of Chris and can't wait until next year's triathalon season!

8.23.2011

SanDestin Triathalon

Chris participated in his first triathalon on Saturday, August 20, 2011. It was such a great day full of lots of energy and excitement. Chris has been training for about 3 months for this race and we cannot believe that it has already come and gone. I think we are both still on a high from the experience. We woke up at 4 am on Saturday morning and were out of our house by 4:50am and on our way over the bridge to SanDestin. Seeing all 800 participants and all of their gear crowded in one area as the sun was rising was really quite a sight. The race began at 6:15am with a half mile swim, followed by a 20 mile bike ride and lastly, a 4 mile run. Chris and five of our friends participated in the triathalon and had all done a practice run the weekend before. Chris had finished his practice run in 2 hours and 15 minutes and therefore set himself a goal of completeing the triathalon in 2 hours or less and I am so proud to announce that he accomplished his goal!!!! Chris swam half a mile, biked 20 miles and ran 4 miles in 1 hour 57 minutes! I couldn't be more proud of him. As a spectator of the race, I was completely enthralled by the energy and adrenaline surrounding the race. I can't wait for his next race!

Thank you to Cheryl, Mom, Amanda, Justin, Adriane, Micah and Mrs. Karen for coming to support and cheer Chris on for his first triathalon. We know it was an EARLY morning, but your support means so much to both of us. It was a great morning and we hope you all had as much fun as we did!

Getting set up for his first tri! It's about 5:30am at this point.

Chris' youngest fans! Avery and Micah did SO well for waking up before 5am!

Chris' biggest fans!!!!!

Chris, Jack and Lachlyne getting ready for their swim

and they're off!

running up the beach to the transition point

Transitioning from the swim to the 20 mile bike-- still feeling good!

Mrs. Karen, Cheryl, Mom, Amanda, Avery, Justin, Adriane and Micah waiting for Chris to come back from his 20 mile bike ride

PT significant others!!
Gwen, Regina, me and Brian cheering on our PT group!

Entertaining themselves...

coming back in from his 20 mile bike ride- he did this in exactly one hour!

Starting the last part of his race! The 4 mile run!!!

off he goes!

We woke Avery up at 4:30am and she stayed awake until the very end. She fell asleep about TWO minutes before Chris finished his race! She was a trooper!