Garrett's Great Triathalon

From Garrett: When the day started I was feeling very nervous. I was nervous all over. I was nervous that I wouldn't do good. I had a shake and a banana for breakfast so I wouldn't get a side ache. I asked everybody to pray for me so that I could do good on the triathlon. When we first got there we checked in and I got a lot of fun stuff in my bag. On the back of my legs they wrote an "8" and an "R" because I was eight years old and in the red group. After that I went to set up my transition from my swim to my bike. Before the triathlon I practiced my transition. I didn't want to wear a shirt because it would take longer to get on my bike if I wore a shirt. My fastest practice transition time without a shirt was 30 seconds. After we set up my transition, I went down to see the older group start the race in the water. It looked like there would be a lot of bumping around and splashing. We stayed down there until my race started, and while we were waiting I saw my friend from my soccer team. I felt weird that I would have to race against my friend in the triathlon. When I swam I bumped into him a lot because he was right next to me the whole swim time. Two groups went before I swam because we only went seven at a time. I got out of the water second almost third because my friend almost passed me a lot. Then I got out of the water, went up the stairs and went to my transition. My feet hurt because I had to walk on rocks. It took me pretty long to get my shoes and socks on, but not too long. Then I walked my bike a little then I got on my bike and tried to ride off. But because of all the rocks on the road my tires were spinning and didn't go very far. I pushed myself and I finally went. It took a long time for me to finish the bike. I had to go around in circles three times. The first time I went around was the funnest. But the two other rounds it wasn't that fun. I went to the pathway to get off my bike and start my run. I ran around 2 times and then I started to notice that my side hurt but I didn't stop. I ran my last lap and went to the finish line. The finish line was the fun part. I ran through the finish line paper but I didn't rip it, they just let go of it when I hit it. Then I went to get my free lunch. I felt pretty good when I finished. I was tuckered out. Right after I got through the finish line I told my Dad that I want to do the triathlon next year.

From Mom: I was so proud of Garrett! He did great. I almost cried watching him run because I knew how hard the run was for him and he ran the best I had ever seen him run. Dad and I raced between the transition spots so that there was always someone to cheer him on. Dalyn and Aubrey were great cheerleaders and were such good sports. Aubrey said she wanted to take her training wheels off so that she could do the triathalon next year. We would love to watch her in the race! It was a fun family memory and we all enjoyed the morning!