As of 5:45 last night it became official, Mommy is the only one in the family who hasn't completed a triathlon. Except for Jake...
On Saturday Ebby, Will and Cuyler did a kids triathlon at the Y. We had just found out about it the day before and signed them up after they all agreed they'd like to do it. They all did an awesome job! There wasn't a bit of whining, complaining, or wanting to give up. Instead there were 3 kids doing their best in the heat and oppressive humidity--and having a great time! We are so proud of them! 
The distances were determined by age. Ebby's event (it was for fun, no clock to be seen so we can't really call it a race) consisted of a 50 yard swim, 1 mile bike and 1/2 mile run. The boys did a 25 yard swim, 1/2 mile bike and 1/4 mile run (there was a bit of confusion regarding the run so both boys did about 1/4 mile of extra running).
They started the kids in waves with the 11+12 year olds first. Ebby swam her heart out in the pool, looking good freestyling thru her lap. Daddy went with her to T1 where she put on shorts, sneakers, and helmet to head out on the bike. Daddy ran back and saw the start of the boys' swim too. They did one length of the outdoor pool. Will & Cuyler were in the same swim lane and were pretty much dead even the whole way. Mommy & Daddy helped them out of the pool. Cuyler's first words once he was out of the pool: "That was a mighty battle!". OMG, we couldn't stop laughing all the way to the transition area! Daddy assisted Will into his sneakers and helmet and he was out first. I helped Cuyler and we were a little slower, but Cuyler was quick on the bike. He didn't really want my assistance up the big hill to the bike course, he only accepted reluctantly. If only they had gears along with those training wheels he'd have been up on his own. It was an out and back course, Ebby was heading in as the boys were heading out. Very determined look on her face. Next came Will, then Cuyler. Very hectic trying to help both of them, luckily there was a time gap and Will just took off on the run. Cuyler careened down the bike hill as well, ditched his bike and headed to the upper field for the run. Ebby had to do 4 laps (and had Daddy to cheer her on and pour water on her head to cool her off). One of the volunteers told Daddy the little kids had to do 2 laps so that's what Will was doing when Cuyler came running up. Cuyler got instructions from the race director, which were to go to the top of the hill, slap the hand of the volunteer and run back down to the finish area. In fact he was running and following her as Daddy was frantically shouting for me to get him and bring him back so he could run the 2 laps. Cuyler pretty much got to the finish area before I could get him to turn around and go back (which he did) and then ended up doing 1 lap and then heading to the finish area (again) with Will. In the meantime Ebby finished her run too and headed to the finish area ahead of all of us (though she did stop to pose for a photo as she went by me). Phew.
They all posed for pictures (reluctantly) and ate Ben & Jerry's ice cream (gladly). Their unofficial time was around 35 minutes. Not that Daddy was keeping track or anything. I'm sure there's more to say about it, like how Cuyler kept asking if he beat Will or if Will beat him and how Ebby was coaching the boys about how to race, and how cute they looked getting body marked for the race or how Will was planning where he'll put all his trophies as he lay in bed last night. Suffice to say they're already talking about next year!
Check out the photos in the new kids triathlon album
