Coming towards the finish line for the run!

So proud of him with his medal!

Last year, Tommy was 7 and had no formal training in swimming. He had taught himself to swim, and was very good, but he didn’t have the technical guidance that a swim coach would have provided. He has always excelled in everything he’s done (he finished the entire Harry Potter series by 2nd grade), and he’s always been an excellent athlete. On the day of the race, we walked into the natatorium and there were kids everywhere. The

Kids Tri Registration for 2009

People were packed everywhere, standing room only!

pool had 20 lanes, a separate warm up pool and diving pool, bleachers for the audience, and people packed in so tight you could hardly move. Kids had their swim caps and racing bathing suits on, and clearly most of them had experience being on a swim team. The transition area was filled with expensive bikes that would rival an adult race transition area, and Tommy had a typical bike for a 7 year old boy who liked to ride in the neighborhood with his friends. Tommy got his ankle chip and number painted on his arm, his transition area set up, and was ready to go. He never complained that the other kids had “racing bikes”, or that he was going to swim against kids that were on a swim team when he taught himself to swim in their backyard pool. My sister and I were even

The kids listening to the directions for the course

the 8 and under kids lining up

somewhat intimidated by how serious this event was, and a little worried about how Tommy would do. When they finally got to his age group, he filed in line to his lane and was ready to go, just like the rest of the kids. I vividly remember watching him swim and thinking about how he’s never done a triathlon before, he’s definitely never competed in a swimming, running OR a biking race, and here he is with 200+ other kids, not scared at all. He went on to finish an AMAZING race, and I was so unbelievably proud of him when he came across the finish line. As soon as he

Tommy and Matthew getting their number markings

Tommy and Matthew finishing setting up their transition area

finished I gave him a huge hug, told him he did great, and asked him if he had fun…his reply? “Yea Aunt A. I think I won, and I’ve never even done a triathlon before!” I’m not an outwardly emotional person but I got choked up trying to talk to him because I was so proud of him, and at that moment I couldn’t even find the words to tell him. I had to leave from the race to head back to Atlanta, and I thought about that one sentence he said after he finished for pretty much my entire drive. Then I started thinking… I am 31, and I want to do something I’ve never done before, something that’s a pretty big challenge, and I want to be as proud of myself after completing it as Tommy was after his race. So I signed up for a half marathon two days later with my friend Stephanie. When I crossed the finish line six weeks later, I was in tears because

All 3 boys eating their sport beans for energy!

Racing suits on, googles tight...ready to race!

Everyone watching the older kids start on their swims while we wait for their age group

Tommy and I talking 'strategy' before the race

walking the plank. The poor guy looked petrified….but he still walked to his lane. He was the tallest kid in his group, but looked SO young in the face. As soon as the official blew the horn, he jumped into the pool-and as all the kids took off swimming, he stayed behind. He started to cry a little, but we were all standing along the lane, and we told him it was okay to get out of the pool and not race this year. He could watch and cheer his fellow racers on. That’s exactly what he did, and he was able to be at the finish line when Tommy crossed. Matthew didn’t end up competing, but I was equally proud of him. He had his racing swim suit on, his bike ready, and his timing chip on, and we have no doubt he physically could have done the race. He got a little scared in the end, and didn’t, but what was most important was that he TRIED. In the end, he was just

Tommy is off to a great start on the swim!

First one out of the water!

too young to compete with kids a full two years older than him, but he got dressed that morning, he sat with the other kids waiting for almost two hours, and he did his best. I can imagine that sitting with kids all 7 and older for almost two hours before the race was pretty intimidating for a 5 year old. The most important thing Matthew did that day was try, and I am so proud of him for it. He still has two years before he would be racing against kids his own age, and I have no doubt he will “dominate” (Matthews favorite word) when his time

He's off to the bike!

Doing awesome in the transition!

Trying to find his bike in the transition area and checking out the competition!

Running through the chute out of tranistion and onto the run

Giving Grandpa a "high five" on the start of his run!

Matthew walking towards his lane with the 7 year olds

And he's off on the bike!

I’d say I was inspired by all different things, different people, and different experiences. I wouldn’t have guessed my nephew would inspire me to take up a new hobby (I say hobby because I run half marathons purely fun, I am certainly not going to be standing on a podium anytime soon), which has allowed me to meet an entire new group of amazing athletes, and rekindle some old friendships through training and racing together. This year Matthew inspired me to try something new, even if I’m not totally sure about it, or may be a little scared by it. If it doesn’t work out, that’s okay…but at least I know I tried, instead of selling myself short by not even making an attempt. So, I think my next challenge may be a full marathon. I’ve never been a ‘runner’, and I love the

Its getting closer to "go" time...

He is looking at the coach like "you said what?!"

Sprinting towards the finish!

He is almost done!!