CD'A Ironman 2008

We went to Coeur D'Alene today to watch the Ironman Triathalon. A family friend of ours, Mark Derby,was competing in his frst Ironman event. It was pretty amazing to watch. Apparently there were over 2400 people crazy enough to try this... very impressive, I don't think I could do it. A total of 140.6 miles: 2.4 mile swim (the water was 58 degrees today...yikes), a 112 mile bike ride and then a full 26.2 marathon. WOW

Here is Mary, Mark's wife with her TEAM DERBY t-shirt. We were waiting to catch Mark at the 56 mile mark of the bike ride

Here he is at just over the half way point,

Mark started at 7am this morning with his swim and we saw him at around 4pm when he was transitioning from the bike to the run. It was pretty cool, all of the athletes are PAMPERED by the race staff. The entire race is so organized, and very well run.

When the racers come out of the changing tents, there is a whole group of people to put sunscreen on for them before they start their run. Mike took this video, sorry for the camera work... don't watch if you've been drinking. But it was really neat to see Mark before he set out on his marathon. I think he really enjoyed seeing all of us, I know I would need a cheering section at this point.

This picture was about 2 miles into the run... only 24 to go. Mark is in black suit with the yellow hat.

The day was great, the weather was beautiful. We had so much fun, there was a lot going on and we tried hard to take it all in. Will and his friends had a fun time, running in the park and just being themselves really. Caleb just chilled in his stroller, Mike and I got sunburned, we needed our own sunscreen station. I think I may try and volunteer next year. I have decided that I either want to be a body marker (you write the race numbers on everyone's bodies in the morning) or one of the people who pulls the wetsuits when everyone gets out of the water, or a sunscreen rubber. Apparently you need to sign up early for these jobs, I hear they fill up in January. Wish me luck...