The course: 50 meter (2 laps) pool - 1 mile bike - 1/2 mile run.
Elizabeth and I knew the run would be hardest for Jeremy. He only has 1 speed: fast. Maybe not the fastest, but he does not know how to jog slow. He sprints. We tried (though probably not enough) to get him running but its not as much fun for some.
Friday, August 12, I also had him walking up hills on the treadmill.
Finally it was race day. We got there and were told that he was not pre-registered. Ha? Turns out, they put him in the 9-14 group. I quickly had them switch it. We got his stuff and he got bodymarked. His number was 165. We then went to set up his transition area.
The plan was that Lee and I would split up and see him at different times on the bike and run. I would stay close to the transition area to help him there.
The race started. They were putting them into the pool, time-trial wise, every 30 seconds. A kid before Jeremy went the wrong way and Jeremy actually stopped to tell him. He finished the swim, got out, took his glasses from me and ran to T1. So far so good. He came out looking strong.
T1: He put on his socks and shoes, shirt and drank b/c I was yelling reminders.
The bike: He took the bike down this small grassy hill, got on and started riding. I found out that they did not let parents onto the course so Lee was there. I had an idea and went running. I backtracked the course till I met him approx half way. He looked strong. He looked good. I was worried. Last week he fell 3 times on the bike doing turns and did not really want to ride anymore. I told him he had to get on again and this was forgotten.
T2: It wasn't. I thought he would have to put the bike away and I told him to grab his bottle and then run. Well, they did it Ironman Style and took the bike away from him. HA!!!
Run: Even though I was not supposed to go in the transition area, I jumped over the rope, got his bottle and chased him down. It was good b/c he sprinted and was tired. He reminded me that I was gonna spray him down so I ran back, got the spray bottle and ran back.
After the race, we hung out for a few hours at the pool. It was great. He was jumping off the 3 meter diving board and having fun.
The only 2 not so good things were: 1) The bugs. I'm going to buy bug off this week. 2) I was fasting. It was a 25 hour fast (no food - no drink) in almost 100 degree weather and running with him on the bike and run. Man was I sweating.
His swim was 12/20 overall and 7/12 for males.