Iron Man Andy!

If you are reading this before reading about Dane's Iron Kids competition...scroll down and read that 1st.  Dane did his competition on Saturday and Andy did his on Sunday-Same lake, same bike trail and same running trail.  Kind of like a father-son bonding experience.  It was so awesome.

Now about this post.  Andy did what is called the IronMan, but it's really the 1/2 IronMan...the BIG one is in September.  He did this one as a "training" one.  Which really is still quite an accomplishment:

1.2 mile swim

56 mile bike ride

13.1 mile run

Not an easy task.  And Andy was supposed to be in the water at 7:02am.  So again, we were up and on the road, but this time at 4am.  Andy was so anxious he was up and pacing and got in the shower at 2:50am...yes...2:50am!

By this time Drake had had enough.  Here's Andy carrying him since I couldn't anymore.  We'd just walked from the car and down the big hill to the start at the lake.

 

 Once Andy's things are all in the right places in each transition spot it's a matter of waiting.  We rushed there to wait.  So here he is with Drake and Dane over-looking the lake.

 Andy and Rob.  Rob's start time was 7:25am.  It goes by gender and age.  The pros go first and then the regular competitors - oldest first.

 Andy and me....check out his abs!

Almost go time

 And in the water....

 In the distance you can see the pros coming in and the yellow caps (Andy's age group) just getting started. 

 We had about 40 minutes to wait so the boys entertained themselves.

 Here's a snapshot of T-1 where the bikes are awaiting the athletes returns from the water.

 Andy ready to ride and getting his last sip before getting on the saddle.

 And he's off....bikes have to be walked in and out of transition areas.

 Here's Dane at T-2 trying to stay out of the sun.  By now it's getting hot and we are expecting Andy's ride to be about 2 1/2 hours.  So we have some time to rest.

 And rest we did....anywhere shade was to be found (by the way, Drake is laying under a condiment table and people just walked around him).

 And of course Dane joined him, but not to rest, to pester...of course

 Here's Andy.  Taking off his helmet, getting snacks and water ready for the run.

 Looking good!

 And now we have time to wrestle

 And wrestle they did....

 The 1/2 way mark for the run.  Still looking strong...."only" 6.5 miles left

 Andy coming down the finish line...

 Yaaaaaaa Andy!  You're an IronMan!

 taking time to chat with boys before finding some shade

 And remember Rob?  Here he is at the finish line as well.

 Andy and Rob together.  They have another 1/2 IronMan next weekend on July 7th to "train" again for the Full IronMan in September. 

 The fam:)

 My IronKid and my IronMan, both sporting their new bikes and medals.

 Andy and Rob rested in the air conditioning in the hotel room and the boys and I hit the pool.

We have also gone to California, been riding horses and played with friends a lot, so there is another post coming soon:)