The Hall Adventures: School's Out Kids Triathlon 2013

Every year in June, usually at the end of the school year, at Simmons Elementary an event called the School's Out Kids Triathlon is held. This past Sunday was the 7th year and Rowan's first! We heard about it from friends of ours too late last year so this year we were aware at the beginning when registration occurred and Rowan wanted in. For Rowan's age category the race is as follows: Swim 50 yards (2 pool lengths), Bike 2.3 miles, and Run 1/2 mile.

Saturday we went over to sign her in, get her bike and helmet inspected and decorate her transition area for the big day on Sunday.

Sunday morning we were up very early and dressed and ready to go. One to get a parking spot, and two to get there and get Rowan acclimated so nerves would lessen a bit.

There were 27 waves of kids of approx 12 kids per wave. The older kids started first because they have a longer course to complete. Rowan was in Wave 22 so we had a little time to kill from the start of the first wave, 830am til her turn came.

As the time got closer they started lining the kids up in wave and bib number order. Rowan was 254, Kenzie was 252.

First up the swim. Unfortunately Rowan was not aware that once in the pool she had to wait for the starter to tell them to go and as soon as she was in she started to swim right away. She could not hear everyone yelling at her to stop so one of the lifeguards had to jump in to stop her :( She was so embarrassed and I think she lost alot of her energy because of it. She was not the only one to do it but it still broke my heart to see it and not be able to stop it at the time. They gave her and the other girl some time to recover and then officially started the swim.

From the pool she exited outside to the transition area where Parker was waiting for her to get her clothes on, shoes tied, helmet on and get her on her bike and onto the bike course. Only one parent is allowed in the transition area so Lily and I went to the bike course to watch the action and cheer her on.

Back to transition where she got her helmet off and took off on her run. She was pretty tired by this point but she soldiered on. When she got onto the track at the far end she was walking but with some encouragement from the crowd and some runners on the track she ran into the finish and I could not have been more proud of her.

Some cooling off from Parker and she was almost ready to smile and show off her medal.

There were 7 kids from Crooked Billet that did the run this year, missing from this picture are Jack and Ava.

Rowan's biggest fan.

Every athlete gets to sign the sponsor thank you card when they complete the race.

Every participant gets a t-shirt as well. Some wear it during the race but it is a CB tradition apparently to wear it to school the next day for some street cred and bragging rights. Who are we to break with tradition?