Triathlon

Well, I've given Alene an excuse for way too long. She told me "You can do the post about the triathlon!" and I said "Sure!" Did I do it? Nope, never got to it. It was back in late April this year. We can't have too many posts in between the post and the actual event, or just the fact that I hardly ever contribute and she wants me to... something like that has been an excuse for us Cutlers not posting.

First things first. For those of you wondering:

Yes. I can swim.

No. I cannot swim well - I sink anytime I'm in the water.

How? I survived because it was only a 350 meter swim and there were shallow parts I could walk in when I was cramping.

For those of you wondering about Alene:

You're crazy. She's amazing, of course she can handle it! Ok, ok, you've got the right to wonder - after all, she was 13 weeks pregnant! She did awesome anyway!

About the Triathlon:

TELOS Reverse Sprint Triathlon with shorter than usual swim... 5k run, 15k bike, and 350m swim (instead of 800m). Started, transitioned, and ended all at the Orem Fitness Center. Almost 300 participated. Both my parents and Alene's parents came to support - as well as Jase, my younger brother - THANKS! We both survived and did quite well for our categories considering we were both in the 25-29 year old categories which is a prime age for those who really get into the sport.

For us, it was fun and something that we looked forward to, but only prepared here and there when we had time.

For me, I went swimming when I had the chance - Alene joined me a few times to try and correct my desire. I say desire because I wanted to just do a make-shift breast stroke, she wanted me to do the crawl/whatever that normal form of swimming is. So I learned. Didn't use it much during the event though because I was drowning (from exhaustion, crowds, and eventually a cramp), but it was good for me to learn something my wife is so excellent at (swimming).

Alene spent sometime running and biking. She was already doing well at both and simply wished the swim was longer so she could more time to pass all the slow runner/bikers like me.

Many thanks to Wyatt Brockbank for the use of his road bike, and thanks to my parents for (as a B-day gift) renting a road bike for myself. :-D It was a great thing to not have to ride my old mountain bike and Alene's super old paper route bike.

Pictures, and then... the RESULTS!

signs made by Jase (the other side of mine says "Don't sink Kelv!")

Jase cheering us on

the rest of the gang cheering us on (my dad was on the run getting photos at various places)

the start (my dad took these without ever spotting us/knowing where we were)

can you spot me?

can you spot Alene?

first leg, still going strong (even though my hair's quite long)

Alene saying "I'm hanging in there!" (again - 13 weeks pregnant here, had thrown up numerous times in the 48 hours preceding - she's awesome)

this was the FUN part!

looking good hon!

I forgot my goggles!!!!! SAVE me!!!!

excellent form sweetie!!! (it was a mad-house out there with people having bad form - a.k.a. me - flailing their arms, and whacking anyone trying to pass - a.k.a. Alene)

tired? Alene - no, Kelv - oh yeah

family shot

I got a medal!

Me:

Overall: 29th; Age Overall: 3rd; Age Run: 3rd; Age Bike: 2nd; Age Swim: 18th;

Yes, pathetic swim placement. I made up huge times in the bike though.

Alene:

Overall: 125th; Age Overall: 5th; Age Run: 15th; Age Bike: 7th; Age Swim: 2nd;

Alene, you made me proud with your bike section and of course in your swim. Only out swam by her good friend who does get into this sport - Becca Lau!