XTERRA UTAH 2009

Cruz with his first race number!

Shawn signed up for his first triathlon, the Xterra Ogden Triathlon September 26th, 2009. We drove up to Ogden yesterday after work. Xterra had a bunch of booths set up and fun kid races at the pre-registration. Cruz competed in his first race and unfortunately for him, there were lots of other little kids and he got a little confused and sad. Shawn nor I could find him but luckily Wendy, my cousins wife found him and picked him up to finish the race. My cousin Shawnee and her husband Garrett drove in from Colorado for Garrett to compete. They have 2 little girls Adin and Alya. Matt, my cousin (Shawnee's older brother) competed as well so Wendy brought her 3 boys down from Eden to the pre-registration festivities. Her 3 boys are Miller, Collin, and Dawson. My other cousin Brett (Matt and Shawnee's brother) was also helping his wife Sarah work the event, so it was a fun filled family weekend! Shawn, Cruz, and I stayed at Matt and Wendy's home since they live about 3 minutes from the start of the race near Pine Creek Reservoir. It worked out well for Shawn because he had to get up at 6 a.m. to get all his gear at the different transition stations. The racers started with the swim, then transitioned to the mountain bike ride, and finished with the run. All of it seemed challenging. Shawn said the swim was definitely the toughest since he hadn't swam that much and he had never done an open water swim in his life. He made up time on his single speed mountain bike, and finished pretty strong with the run. It was really fun to hang out with all the kids and cheer for the dads at the different transition stations. And to top it all off, the colors have started to change and it was beautiful! The drive from Eden up to Snowbasin was absolutely breathtaking.

Aiden, Alya, Collin, Miller, and Dawson ready to race. Cruz wouldn't get in this picture!

Cruz running his own little race at the obstacle course they had set up in the park!

The kiddos walking with Shawnee to dinner!

Garrett and Shawn right before the swim started!
Shawn finishing the first leg, the swim!
This was the transition from the bike to the run!
We are so proud of our dad.....a 3/4 mile swim. roughly 13 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run! Good job daddy!
The tough 3 dads- Shawn, Matt, and Garrett!

I think Cruz has his first real crush! He loved little Alya. She is Shawnee's little girl and she is a little older than Cruz by about 4 months. Cruz wanted to touch her hair, her shirt and give her kisses. I have some pretty funny pictures of their interaction. She wasn't so sure of Cruz as you can tell from her face!!!

Cruz going in for a "kiss"!!

And a little Cruz lovin', check out Cruz's face, priceless!!