Noah's First Triathlon

Last weekend we had the LONGEST. Saturday. Ever.

It began around 4:30 a.m. when Mr. Noah Selter awoke to jump in the car en route to his very first triathlon!  Ko'Olina was hosting a sports fest the entire weekend and one of the events was a kids tri.  A 100m swim, 5k bike ride, and a 1k run.  Very manageable, we thought, so we signed him up!  And he was awesome.  He wasn't first.  He wasn't last.  Right in the middle of the pack.  And I think he gained a ton of confidence in himself through doing the race.  

Check him out....

after a LONG, CHATTY car ride...we made it!

Sunrise over the marina was looking pretty nice! 

At this point, I think he was just a bit overwhelmed as he was looking over the course.

 Dad helped get all his numbers set.

 And we're finally settling in.

 But still taking it all in.  It was a lot for this 32 year old mama to take in.  Can't imagine being only 9!

 The transition area before the race.

 The organizers talked the kids through the race before it all began....even coaching the parents on laying off their kiddos.  Here you can see them showing the kids how to get from the water to the bike transition area.

 Caleb was ready to begin!

The kids huddled for a group stretch before they began.

 The waves were huge causing large swells in the usually VERY calm lagoons where the swim was held.

And it begins!

 Noah is the orange cap, black goggles, in the middle.  Looking good.

 Coming out of the swim...

Rushing to the transition area...

 Such a sweet face...getting ready for his bike ride. 

 He was MOVING on that bike!

 Off for the run now.  After this picture, it was so cute.  He attempted to sip the water while running and failed, so he simply tossed the water in the air and ran through it.  It was done so playfully with such a huge smile.  I know that something as simple as that made him so happy.  It really made him feel like a "real" racer!

 By the end of the run, you can see that most of the kids were pretty spread out.  

FINISH LINE!  Lots of proud mamas and papas waiting here....especially those of this boy below. 

 He is so stinking cute....and happy that it is over!

 So proud of this guy.