I was so excited to have the opportunity to go with Auntie and Unc to Sonoma this weekend to cheer on my cousin Marin while she competed in a Half Ironman Triathlon. So awesome! We arrived at the Start @ 6:00am and Madeleine was enthralled with all the people, she could feel the energy and knew something big was happening.
I made Madeleine this shirt. It was a pain in the neck but worth it because Auntie M LOVED it!
Her start time was 6:54am...they were in the water and off for the 1.2 mile swim.
The crowd waiting for the swimmers to come out of the water was huge and this little baby was a hit. Honestly, you'd thought no one had ever seen a baby before! I, of course, agree with all of them but I was so flattered with how much they loved her.
She was out of the water around 7:40, a few minutes longer than she'd hoped.
Next leg was the 56 mile bike ride through some gorgeous vineyards...don't let that fool you. She was hoping to make it in 3-4 hours. Unfortunately, there were some serious obstacles to overcome. A tree fell on the course (actually falling on three riders, seriously injuring one of them) which caused a big mess. Then, she had THREE flat tires (on her back tire!) after she used her extra two tubes she had to keep stopping to pump it up. She finally made it back after 5.5 hours. It was miserable for everyone involved!
By the time she transitioned for her 13.1 mile run the sun was blazing and it was 95 degrees out. The course for the run provided NO shade. Luckily, her friend Tim was able to join her and was a great support. After that bike ride and the heat she was spent. Horrible cramps kept her walking most of the time.
By the time she transitioned for her 13.1 mile run the sun was blazing and it was 95 degrees out. The course for the run provided NO shade. Luckily, her friend Tim was able to join her and was a great support. After that bike ride and the heat she was spent. Horrible cramps kept her walking most of the time.
The heat was oppressive and this little baby was amazing!
I don't know why in the middle of all that beautiful country the venue they used was this high school field. It was like being on a baking stone.
Finally, the MC announced that he saw her number coming down the shoot and started playing "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey and everyone was on their feet crying. There were no words.
