Monday, July 12, 2010

The Olympic

Where: echo reservoir
When: July 10, 2010
Distance: 1 mile swim
26 mile bike ride
6 mile
Who: Joe, my dad, Uncle Scott, Uncle Matt, Aunt Kim

Joe, Genevieve and I woke up earlier than anyone should ever rise... 3:00am.  
The Hardy team headed up to Echo with their bikes in tow
their nerves on edge
and their emotions running high.
It was early and cold but the racers were excited.












the shoes were lined up along the beach waiting
for the arrival of their tired swimmers.
Our party tied orange tape to their sandals 
making it easy for their owners to pin point their shoes.



Uncle Matt was the first one out of the water
he is a pro when it comes to triathlons
 he just finished his fist iron man a few weeks ago
so this race was just another day on the job.

Uncle Scott on the other hand looked a bit tired after emerging from the water


Aunt Kim was one of the guys Saturday and proved herself as such.
she kicked both my dad and Joe's behinds



Joe was fourth out of the water
when we realize he had come out before my dad
we all started wondering if my dad was at the bottom of the lake.



ten minutes later he showed up wet and tired
but ready to kick out the rest of the race.



The family wouldn't miss this big event
we were all there sitting in the dirt cheering on 
our racers.



genevieve helping her great grandma do what
great grandmas do best...
take pictures.






 genevieve did not cry once from the moment I pulled her out of bed at 3:00am
to the time we arrived home at 5:00 in the afternoon
she was a very good little girl
sitting under an umbrella
eating baby food
and cheering for daddy





Uncle Matt crossed the finish line first



Scott was right behind him



kim



dad



and last but definitely not least
my joe.



he was tired but he had a smile on his face
and an amazing attitude.
I truly couldn't have been more proud of him then if he had won first
I cried as I stood at the finish line watching him 
struggle to run it in.
he could have given up
he could have felt defeated
he could have been angry with himself


but he wasn't...
he was amazing.
inspirational.
great.
courageous.
optimistic.
triumphant.
and as cliche as it sounds.
my hero.



6 comments:

Unknown said...

Go Joe Go! I'm so proud of everyone, our family is so inspirational!!!

Vicki said...

Wow Joe...Congrats. That is amazing! I love seeing all your pics. What kind of camera do you have? Your pics are always so pretty (Maybe it's just the subject (Genevieve).

Toni said...

That is super awesome! Was he running this morning? I thought I saw him on my way back.

P.S. I saw the vintage blanket in the latter post and it's so cute. Excited to get our sew on this week!

Joni and Rico Adams said...

I was supposed to do the Echo tri this year but for the 2nd year in a row... I missed it :( Bachelorette party planning called!

He did the Olympic distance?! That's hardcore. The sprint is enough for me. Good job to your fam!

Madison Grunig said...

Way to go, Joe! And the rest of your crazy/amazing family. I really don't think I would ever even attempt something like that. I'm so very impressed with all of them!!

Watts Family said...

GO JOE!!! I think that is so awesome to finish something like that.
And Kenzie, I bet he was so happy to see his sweet, beautiful wife at the finish line.