Los Alamos Triathlon

Back in August I had the opportunity to be a part of a triathlon relay team. I did the running leg, and one friend did the swim and another did the bike. It was my first experience ever with a triathlon and I enjoyed only having to do one leg of the race. However, it did pique my interest in one day doing a triathlon where I actually do all three legs. I will admit I felt like I was cheating as I was flying past other runners on my fresh legs after they had biked and swam. Oh well! It was hosted in Los Alamos (talk about convenient race morning start) and the order was a little different because the swim was held in the indoor aquatic center in town (famous for the Japanese Olympic swim team training there for the 2008 Olympics). It was a 13 mile bike ride, 400m swim and 5k race. Our goal was to hopefully win our age group and if possible take #1 overall for the women's team relays. Well due to an unfortunate mishap in the pool (our timing chip fell off our swimmer) they messed our times up at the end of the race but thankfully we finally found out a few days later that yes, we had actually won our age group and taken 2nd overall of the women's relay teams. It was a blast! The race was well organized and scenic and I just love the home town feel of races up here in Los Alamos (like the Jemez half marathon I ran in May). Team name was - Team 10:31 referencing 1 Corinthians 10:31 - Whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Our desire was to be Christ honoring triathletes and glorify God in our race day. It was a good reminder when we realized we might be jipped out of our 1st place recognition but we decided we didn't care if we got the recognition or not, we were happy with our performance.  We all wore blue (mainly because that's the color of the swimmer's suit) and enjoyed the experience. Gonna have to decide if maybe next year I'll try this thing on my own seeing as how one of the team mates will be off to college and the other will have her second baby by then (she was pregnant in this race, the swimmer)!

Trying to stay warm before the race started

pre-race shot. we were so cold!

enjoying watching the bikers going by.

finishing up her biking leg! she did great!

looking fresh and trying to push for my fastest 5k yet

goal achieved, 8min miles...but I almost tossed my cookies at the end

shew, recovered it

Team 10:31 post-race. What a fun time to spend with these ladies!

Summer Annual Cliff Jumping

I honestly thought we had lost the opportunity to go cliff jumping this summer because we ended up going so late but alas, we pulled it off. It was a small but fun group that got to go. We enjoyed some great jumps, fun swims, interesting flip attempts and overall good hanging out. Abiquiu Lake offers some of the best cliff jumping I've ever done basically because it feels safe. The cliff is a shear face with very few out jutting rocks and the water is clear and deep. This is definitely something I'm thankful we live close to!

the lake

the girls 

the guys

friends

attempt

backflip

courage!

hair

bro weekend...the girls tagged along. thanks guys!

flipping

Chicago Trip

Back in June (so I'm a little behind), Jack and I were able to go to Chicago to visit some friends. It was great. We hit up the Aquarium, the Pier and some good eats. Thankful for the friendships that have forged over the years...starting with the guys meeting on summer project in 2003 and now the wives have become great friends as well. 

sweet Ruby girl

Nemo!

The ladies. (Alinna and Rachel)

cooking away

gents

jellies

the gang