Cookie Chaser 2K/5K

Pictures taken April 28, 2012

A few years ago Peggy invited Ammon and Michael to run this 2K race with her.

This year Peter and Sophia were old enough to join the fun.

In the past it conflicted with a triathlon Andrew and Derrick liked to do.

But this year the conflict didn't happen.

Peggy and Derrick ran the 2K with the Grandchildren.

Afterwards, Peggy Derrick, Andrew and I did the 5K.

Of my two boys, Peter is definitely the happier runner.

But coming up the final stretch Ammon decided he couldn't be beat by his little brother.

He sprinted ahead and came in before Peter.

That said, Peter was the only one of the four children to place in his age group.

He got a medal for 3rd place!

We also won lots of girl scout cookies!

After the race, the four of us went to Village Inn for breakfast.

Then we went to Peter's soccer game where he ran even more.

Fall Finale

Pictures taken October 8, 2011

Andrew enjoyed racing in the Fall Finale at the Kearns Olympic Oval.

His friend Spencer and his dad also participated in that race.

Andrew had registered to do a race at the beginning of tri season on the same course.

He was hoping to compare times and have a concrete identifier of how much he had improved.

Sadly, the Spring Sprint was snowed out and they didn't get to bike for that event.

We were worried that something similar would happen for the Fall Finale.

Fortunately, despite the cold, wet weather,

the race went on!

The boys were great and had a fun time cheering on the athletes.

It's a great tradition to support Dad in his races.

Go Andrew!

Black Ridge Triathlon

Pictures taken July 30, 2011

Andy was at it again - he competed in his seventh triathlon!  Anyone who knows my husband knows that he is passionate about his interests and triathlons are definitely one of his passions!  He is not big on training, but he loves to be there for the event, and he will do it no matter what.  This triathlon was especially exciting for him because it was his first open water swim.  He signed up for an open water event last year, but at the last minute the health department shut it down and they had to swim in a pool.  This time he actually was able to experience the open water.  Sadly, I wasn't there to see that part, but it went well.  As he says - he finished and didn't die.

As a spectator, this was probably my favorite of all the races he has competed in.  The venue was nice, with a playground near by for the kids, and plenty of room to see up close as they rode into T2 and also came into the finish line.  It was a great race, and I look forward to him racing it again next year.

Turkey Triathlon

Picture taken November 12, 2010

Andrew and his parents signed up for a triathlon in St. George.

That gave us a great excuse for a weekend away.

We all drove down on Friday and stayed in a condo my sister was able to arrange for us.

The accomodations were beautiful.

Andy was excited to use the grill and provided us with a fabulous dinner.

It took some time for the boys to unwind.
It was pretty exciting to be somewhere new.
Finally we sent them to bed, but they were soon calling out to me.

"Mom, come see!"

I went to see what they were going on about.

They pointed to the window.

I thought they were showing me that they lifted the blinds themselves and could look outside.

But my response didn't satisfy them.

"No, look!"

I looked through the window and saw glow in the dark remote control airplanes.

They were pretty awesome.

I called Andy in.

He called in his parents.

There were three planes in total and we all thought they were pretty fun to watch.

Finally, we headed back out of the boys room and sent them to bed.

Andy and I had a good game of cribbage and then went to bed ourselves.

Pictures taken November 13, 2010

The triathlon was first thing Saturday morning.

Andrew, Peggy and Derrick left first thing.

The boys and I spent a lazy morning in the condo.

But they got restless really fast and wanted to go explore St. George.

We found a park to play at, but the weather was kind of nippy.
The boys were ready for something else pretty quickly.

We followed the race detours to get an idea of where to head when the race was over.

Suddenly, I saw people on bikes just ahead of us.

I turned into a church parking lot and found that we had front row seats to the race.

Before we knew it, we saw Grandpa ride by, then Daddy, then Grandma.

I'll admit, I was more entertained than the boys.

We watched the bikes for a good while until the boys just couldn't stand it anymore.

While Andy and his parents finished the race, Ammon, Peter and I had our own adventures.

I even had to hop a fence to meet Andy at the finish line.

(Ammon and Peter could fit through the chained gate.)

It was a hairy couple of hours for everyone, but in retrospect it was good times!

Halloween Fun Run

We have a fun tradition with Andrew's parents.

The Saturday before Halloween we run a 5K.

At night.

In the dark.

Through a graveyard.

This is our third time participating in the race.

(We missed last year.)

I had actually been sick for most of the month, and was still on the mend.

But I'm glad I went.

Peggy and Derrick both placed for their age group.

Andy's time was somewhere betweeen the two of them.

I came in last (of the four of us).

Every year Andy runs ahead to finish the race.

And then he comes back for me.

I always end the course with my amazing husband running by my side-

Holding my hand as I cross the finish line.

It's a great tradition.

Riverton 2K Cookie Chase

Pictures taken April 24, 2010

Ammon's very first race was an idea from Gramma Peggy

She signed him up for a 2K and he ran it with her and cousin Michael.

Gramma picked Ammon up at 7:15 AM.

Mommy and Peter arrived just before the race started at 8:00

Daddy couldn't be there because he was participating in a triathlon at the same time.

Ammon does not love running.

But he was willing to give it a go, and finished the race 3rd for his age group.

I understand it took some coaxing to keep him going.

But I'm proud of him for finishing, and glad for his Gramma to give him this chance.

Labor Day Triathlon

Pictures taken September 07, 2009

On Labor Day, Andrew participated in a mini triathlon.  My sister Katy and my niece Carolyn did too.  They had tons of us there to cheer them on.  I was so proud of all three of them, and Ammon and Peter were thrilled with the accomplishments of their Dad, Aunt, and oldest cousin.  It was a great way to spend the holiday!

30 on 30!

Pictures taken August 1, 2009

For his 30th birthday, Andrew decided to celebrate by participating in his first triathalon.  It was a sprint event held in Draper.  He even coincidently was marked with the number 30, which was pretty cool.  His Dad participated with him.  His mom ran the 5K portion.  His brother and his family were there to cheer him on as were the boys and I.  It was fun to be there with him!

The tri was done in reverse order which means they ran first, then biked, then swam.  Both Andrew and his Dad have declared that they will never participate in a reverse tri again.  Having the swim at the end was just a little bit rough for both of them.  But, they did it!  They each received 2nd place ribbons for their age groups.  It was a fun night and a great way to bring in a new decade of life!