First Triathlon

Last year we asked Noah if he wanted to enter some races for kids. We thought that he might enjoy pushing his dump truck in them or possibly riding on my shoulders. Both races were disasters - he just started bawling at the start and wouldn't go one step. So this year we were a bit hesitant to ask, but he ended up absolutely loving the Mountair Mile bike/run/scooter/whatever-you-feel-like race. Sarah and I signed up for the Jack and Jill Triathlon later on, and when we found out it had a kids race, there was no holding Noah back. Unfortunately he had to wait another several weeks, but finally we found ourselves at the start.


They let the young'uns swim with whatever devices and/or parents they want. As the only 3 year old, that was good for him. You know, not knowing how to swim yet at all.


We thought it was kind of lame to walk the swim, though, so we went to the deeper part.


He got out of the water last but first in his age category. Fortunately, his only competitor started with the wrong group several minutes later, so he had a sizable lead.


And yes, his swim cap was critical to his success, although it stayed pretty dry.


Noah opted for the quick transition: leaving on the same shorts he had swum in. When you're three you can get away with being naked in the transition area, even though it's no longer the 80's.


Undaunted by being the last out of T1, Noah was excited to hop onto the bike, which is a strong point for him.


After Noah took a minor detour, we were out of transition and off to the bike course.


The bike course was the sandy shore of Call's Fort Waterski Lake. It was packed hard enough for the kids to ride on with not much trouble. Perfect for Noah's "motor-cross bike". Still, one mile is a long way with little legs and 12.5" wheels.


We could still see other kids up ahead, so sometimes Noah would surge to catch them. His speeds ranged from about 10 mph down to about 1 mph, plus a minor spill on the back side of the lake. But was was very tough and always kept going. Once the other kids were totally out of sight, we talked about the cool trailers we saw on the way for boats and things.


When the older kids that started in a later heat started whizzing by, Noah would exclaim,"I'm going fast, and they're going fast, too!" He was having a great time.


Transition #2 is easy when all you have to do is pull off the helmet and leave the bike there.


Noah was excited to run, and fortunately they never had any straight stretch of it that lasted more than about 100m.


Finally, we could see the finish line banner, but we still had to weave in and out of all the cones. I mean, how often do you get to do that?


20 minutes flat, and Noah had finished his first triathlon - 25 yards of splashing, 1 mile of riding, and 400 yards of running. He held off his late-starting 4-year-old competitor to take first place, a great start to his budding triathlon career (should he choose one).


Some of the perks of being a triathlete are the cool looking body marking, all the cookies you want at the finish line, and, of course, a manly physique.


Yep, even his calves got marked. He loved it.


We tried to get a picture of the oldest and youngest competitor but Noah would not cooperate. Don is 79 years old and we have seen him at a few sprint races this season. Amazing! Just like Noah, he won is age group as well. Way to stay in shape, Don.


Noah got two cool medals, a cool shirt, and bragging rights. Today he included in family prayer a "thank you" that he was able to be in a triathlon so he could be faster. Sounds like Jarvis kid #1 is hooked.