Iron [Wo]men

Swim - Bike - Run.  

There is a reason for the order of events in a triathlon.  It has to do with the chance that you might die while trying to complete each event.  You see, if during the run you get tired, you can walk or even sit down.  But the chances that you will severely injure yourself or die of fatigue is unlikely.  The bike is a bit more hazardous.  If you get tired on the bike, you might crash.  If you get tired during the swim, however, you drown.   Therefore, most triathlons put the most dangerous event first when the athletes are the most fresh.  

So why did Kristen and I chose a reverse triathlon?  Because the swim in the Pasadena Tri is a pool swim.  Do I prefer warm, slimy, sweaty water to cold, dark, deep, fishy lakes and oceans?  You bet!  

And we had a blast.  Here are some pics of the race yesterday.  (Can I get some props for agreeing to be photographed next to my super-fit, beautiful, ten-years-younger-than-me sis?)

All checked in and ready to run.  We definately had some of the cutest outfits.

Check out those guns!
Everyone's leg was marked with their age.  The oldest competitor we saw was 76.  The youngest was 14.
#214 was 71 years old.  Our plan was to pass him before we saw our cheering section so there were no pictures showing us getting our trash kicked by this old guy.   Needless to say, he was a very fast  71.  I think the sexy singlet helped with his aerodynamics :) 

Honestly, after seeing this pic, it is a good thing I didn't crash.  Check out my helmet.  The only part of my head that it could possibly be protecting is the very tippy top.  Off to get a new helmet.
Kristen before she knew she needed a cushier seat on her bike.   
Into the pool.  I forgot I had my blackberry in a pocket of my shorts (always the multi-tasker).  Oops - sorry if I don't get to your emails for a few days.
Kristen swimming.  I would have posted a pic of me swimming, but I could not decide between the doggie paddle picture or back float picture :)

We did it!  (Along with the bike helmet, I am ditching the conehead swim cap too.  This picture makes my head look like it absorbed half of the pool water.)

A special thanks to our pit crew and cheering section.  And thank you Kristen for keeping me motivated -  you ROCK!

P.S.  Kellie,  don't be so sure Kris and I will wait up for you next year - IT'S ON! :))))))