Spudman - Part 3

It was Dustin's 3rd year at the Spudman Triathlon in ID and I am very happy to say that there were no flat tires this year... yeah! And even better he beat his personal record by 7 minutes and completed it in 2 hours and 23 minutes. It was so awesome!!! But probably the best part of it all was that he was able to do it with two of his best friends, Mark and John. He and Mark have been best friends for 25 years, how crazy is that? And with John it has been 22 years... amazing! You get the three of them together and it is pure comedy and yet they love and adore each other so much. It's truly something very special that most people don't have so I always love watching them in action. I was the only wife there so I was a little on the outside, but they are always so nice to include me in their millions of stories. :)

Pre Race

Taylor was a trooper. She does not sleep well away from home except at Grandma Ann's, so she finally fell asleep in our bed at around 12:30 or so and we were up just before 6am and Dustin's wave hit the water at 8:10am. So for hanging out in the sun waiting for Dustin to finish, even though she got cranky, she really did awesome. Here are some of the highlights (mainly of Taylor):

• Dustin beat his swimming time by about a minute even though he probably did only about a total of 20 laps in the pool to train. Great job or lucky guy! What would he do without that current? ;)
  
• When Dustin came by on the bike we were screaming go Dustin and go daddy. After that anyone who came by on the bike, it was "go dada" from Taylor.
  
• Then when Mark came by on the bike it was go Uncle Mark so after that it was "go Mah, go Mah" to anyone after that.
  
• During one of the waiting around times on the bike when Tay was going to lose it; it turned into Babies Gone Wild and she started to lift up her shirt for the bikers that went by. No, I have no idea where that came from, but I couldn't help but laugh and she thought it was hysterical!
  
• Before the swim Mark was taking her baby and hitting his head and saying "ow" and Taylor thought it was so funny. After they took off for the swim about 30 min later or so with her sweet baby that she is always nurturing, she took her and was hitting her against her head saying "ow" and then laughing at herself. Such a mimic.


• We got to see Kevin and Lindsay who did so awesome!!!


• Somehow or another I still heard two more high school stories that I hadn't heard. After knowing John and Dustin for over 11 years and Mark for almost that long and hearing so many stories, I still don't know how that's possible.


• Dustin managed to finish the race at 2:23, however got so excited that he didn't cross the finish line that registers his time that was just a yard away so his time is posted as 2:24. Too funny.
  
• At the end of the race, Dustin took his "potato" medal and put it around Taylor's neck. She said WOW and then pranced around with it on after the race and didn't take it off didn't take it off until after the 3 hour ride home. When he asked where her potato was, she would hold it up and then rub it against her cheek. So cute!


• And after only 5 or so hours of sleep, she ran around during the race, pushing the stroller, up and down hills and all around. I am sure this is normal for an almost 2 year old, but I now see why some parents buy leashes for their kids. She wouldn't stay near me. Some times I wonder if it's her personality or my lack of parenting skills as I see the sweet kids that are sleeping in their strollers or staying right by their parents' sides. I know, it's probably both! Also, she didn't fall asleep on the 3 hour ride home!

The Swim

The Bike goes too fast so no pics of that...

The Home Stretch of DT's Run

DT and JP

BFFs - John, Mark and Dustin. I thought it was so cute how they even color coordinated for the event in primary colors.

All in all, great trip and congrats to DT for such an accomplishment. One that I will never do. I think that I am perfectly fine sticking to the Sprint Triathlons. :) I'll admire him and be his cheerleader as he does the longer distances!

Highlight from Today:

I was unloading groceries from the car and Taylor was walking around with her baby (of course). She was holding her upright patting her on the back, walking around, and saying "shhhh" in her ear. Where does she get this stuff? This time I went for the camera, but of course, I was too late. One time I will share one of these precious moments with you... I promise!