Boise 70.3 Ironman

I had just about finished up the laundry from last weekend's little vacation when it was time to pack up and leave again.  This time we were off to Boise where Shawn competed in the 1/2 Ironman.  We were back and forth for a while on whether or not the kids were going with us, but in the end we decided to take them.  Peter enjoyed the perks of the luggage cart.

When we got there on Friday, the weather was pretty nice and things were looking pretty good for the race.  Unfortunately, it didn't stay that way.  Shawn wasn't deterred by the weather though.  He was still smiling on the shuttle ride up to Lucky Peaks Reservoir where the race started.

By the time we got up there at 10:15 or so, it was about 42 degrees, with cold, driving rain, and the wind was blowing about 25 mph.  So not ideal race conditions.  I can guarantee that the athletes absolutely dreaded pulling off their shirts to get marked.  It was way too cold.

Due to the fabulous conditions, Shawn decided to trade out his wheels and not race on his disc wheel.  

Everyone looked pretty miserable.  (I felt that way myself.  I was soaked through and freezing.)  I was shivering, as were most of the other people at the race - athletes and spectators.

Shawn gave me his garbage bag to wear once he was putting on his wetsuit.  

Singing of the national anthem at the start of the race.

Yep, I was a vision of beauty at this point and so desperate to go somewhere warm and dry.

After about 2 hours of standing around and freezing, they finally started the race.  But, due to the unsafe conditions out on the road, (ie, gusting winds of 40 mph and snow on the bike course), they decided to cut out most of the bike.  Instead of riding 56 miles, they only rode the 12 miles into town to the bike to run transition.  It was probably the right choice for safety, but was a little frustrating and disappointing for Shawn since he had this fancy new bike and had trained to do the ride.

Shawn's group in the water.  (The red caps.)  He was relieved to finally step into the 57 degree water because it was actually the warmest he'd been in 2 1/2 hours.  (He tried to ignore the fact that as he took in one last big breath and blew it out, he could see his breath.)

Swimming.  Shawn did a great job on his swim and finished within his goal time.   I think they ended up pulling about 50 athletes out of the water with hypothermia or who just couldn't finish after standing around freezing for 2 hours.  I was glad Shawn wasn't one of them.

Out of the water and on his way to his bike.

Headed down the mountain to his next transition.

Unfortunately, due to the change in the race, I was still stuck on the shuttle at the reservoir while Shawn came into the bike to run transition, so I missed it.  This transition was right outside the door of our hotel and the kids were excited to be able to see it.  But, of course, because I wasn't back, they didn't know to go watch. So no one was there to see Shawn.  I snapped a shot of his bike on my way to the finish line.

We did all manage to make it to the finish line to see Shawn come in.  (I was too busy holding kids and cheering to actually take a picture as he came across.)  He felt great on the run and met his goal there, too.  So other than the disappointment about the bike, he felt really good about the race.

Woohoo!  The whole fam at the finish.  Fortunately, the rain had stopped and the sun had come out so it was comfortable to hang out outside for a while.

And wouldn't you know that the next day was beautiful and sunny.  It would have been perfect for a race.  Oh well.  At least it was nice driving home weather.