We woke the kids up at 4:30 a.m. so we could get Deven to the race nice and early. Here is the vibrant family before the race...
The race started with a harbor swim at Oceanside Harbor. It was a cold and overcast morning but that didn't slow anyone down. The energy with 2,000 + athletes and even more spectators was enough to keep me going.
As if swimming in the ocean isn't hard enough; you have to dodge other swimmers, idling rescue volunteers on wave runners and boards, pelicans, and SEALS!
Get out of that water and wet suit and ride that bike!
The 56 miles of hills neighboring Camp Pendleton was harder than Deven anticipated but he loved the sights of the Navy base, military personal, tanks and helicopters. Next these Ironmen ditched their bikes for a scenic two-loop jog along the Strand in Oceanside.
Just when I had lost hope of ever catching a glimpse of my Ironman... there he was waving and smiling at us as he ran by.
Trenton was Deven's biggest fan!
Allison was quite miserable because it was so cold that morning. She was trying so hard to walk on her own but took a big fall the day before which is why her face was all scratched up. She loves cuddling with her Daddy but not chasing him around town.
I was stopped by a enthusiastic spectator who saw me pushing a stroller with a whinny toddler, holding a miserable baby and trying to snap some pictures of the race... She told me to pace myself and that I deserved a medal for participating in the event.
I imagined lounging on the beach with the kids while the race was going on but we were driving all over looking for parking then hiking up and down hills to get to the race course... fighting our way through the crowds (often forcing me to push a stroller in the sand or off the curb) and taking naps and changing diapers in the rental car. At the end of the day I understood what that lady meant when she said "pace yourself."
This guy is pretty amazing because he finished the race! Six and a half hours of competing in this challenging endurance event just to hear the words "You are an Ironman".
Some reasons Deven is an Ironman; He is so determined and competitive. He doesn't quit anything that he starts. Even if it means he is the only participant riding his bike up the hill when everyone else got off to push. He is always prepared... The chain on his bike got messed up during the race and he was able to quickly fix it. He's not afraid to do something he's never done before. He's always looking out for his family... Before the race he was making sure we were safe and comfortable with the situation. His sense of adventure allows our family to do and go places we would not have otherwise.
Of course the whole event was fun to watch but one thing Deven and I both enjoyed was the spectator's homemade, cardboard signs with clever saying. For example "You think it hurts now... wait till tomorrow!" "Remember you signed up for this!" "Smile! You're not wearing underwear." And anything else that could make an exhausted athlete smile. But of course after they passed the finish line it was all worth it.
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