2009 Spring Fling Duathalon

2009 Spring Fling...??? More like MUD Fling!!

After a week of absolutely amazingly beautiful weather, Rick headed off early Sunday morning to Woodward Park for the 2009 Spring Fling Duathalon. Unfortunately, we were hit by a torrential storm! With rain plummeting down in all directions, temperatures dropping down to the low 30’s and winds reaching 35+mph, there was no possibility of a pre-race warm up.
Sadly, we don’t have pictures of our own so included are links to the photographer’s site for your viewing pleasure.

The first picture shows Rick and his friend Graeme heading to stage their bikes. http://www.markhaymond.smugmug.com/gallery/7679313_zTSUL#496551198_3qqwn

The race started off down what used to be a dirt trail. Now it closely resembles a slippery slimy muddy terrain that no one in their right mind would want to run through. Carefully plotting his course through this unsure territory, desperately attempting to keep his feet under him, Rick makes it through the running portion of this battle with great haste. http://www.markhaymond.smugmug.com/gallery/7679313_zTSUL#496643724_UEPUP http://www.markhaymond.smugmug.com/gallery/7679313_zTSUL#496848838_pVbny http://www.markhaymond.smugmug.com/gallery/7679313_zTSUL#496849173_4q7hD

Now the transition to the bike. Even though being a new comer to the quick change, Rick swiftly makes the conversion from running to biking. He takes off down the damp pavement with great intensity. Due to the poor weather conditions they shortened the biking distance for safety reasons. Albeit the competitors were still pushed to their limits with the relentless gusts of wind. http://www.markhaymond.smugmug.com/gallery/7679313_zTSUL#497049286_j9zrv

Back to the transition area to once more changeover from one sport and back to the other. At this point he is well aware of the dangers of the muddy trail and looks hopefully for grassy patches to help with his footing. He successfully conquers the trail once more to finish up his event. http://www.markhaymond.smugmug.com/gallery/7679313_zTSUL#497093741_3QtZ2

Rick finished 6th in his age group coming in at 1:14:53 and came in 31st overall! We, including Rick, are very delighted with his accomplishment. This was a very difficult event and Mother Nature added her own hostility to create a bigger challenge for all involved.

Next challenge, the Sacramento Half Marathon in May!! See you there??

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!

I REALLY need to get my photos more organized.....

ANYway...... I just wanted to give a WWW shout out to Dad on his Birthday!!!! These are a few of the fun shots I have of him from some of our trips.

This is from when poor Dad traveled with us to visit Steve & Elizabeth in Utah.... I can't believe he made it the whole trip with out going MAD!

Kayaking at Snowflower....

At his house - chillin'!Oh, ya, this is when he came out to visit us in Clovis, it was about 110 degrees so we put him to work building our new fence. Fun times!!

Thanksgiving - I am not sure what we served, but he sure seemed to enjoy it!!!!

and this is Christmas, I dont think he got the gift he was wanting.....

WE LOVE YA DAD!!!!!

LittleBits

Elizabeth:

ok, ok, I know... this is not a picture of Elizabeth. But she is so active it is hard to get her to hold still for a good shot. This is her dog Sammy.
What can I say about our Lizi. She is so full of personality and funniness. She is growing up so fast and it is such fun to watch her transform from the “baby” to a young lady. She is now in 7th grade and doing very well.
She is very active with her friends and loves to hang out or play with Sammy. She also loves to watch House, the Food Network, Fringe and especially Supernatural.

She sure has changed over the years, look how sweet and cute she looked when she was little!

BooBecca

Rebecca:

What can I say about my Boo. She is quite the academic. She is a Freshman at Clovis High and taking some serious classes. AND she is still getting Academic Awards! She still loves to read and is quite the artist.
One of her favorite shows on TV is House. We can sit for hours and watch that show. As well as Criminal Minds, CSI, Fringe, Good Eats and Bones.
She is a blast to hang out with and she can be goofy yet wax philosophical at the same time. She is very loving and likes to sit and chill with Sammy and William while working on her homework or playing on MySpace.

This is her back when she was still cute.

Here is a shining example of my award winning Academic:

KrisNina

Kristina:

I just can’t believe my lil' girl will be turning 20 soon. WOW! She has really been a blessing in my life. She has made us very proud with all her achievements. Kristina is enrolled in the University of Phoenix and heading toward a degree in Criminal Justice. For those who know our outspoken and charismatic young lady, don’t fear, I don’t believe she will be a gun carrying officer. We are really hoping to see her take her love to see justice and her knowledge of computers and use it toward computer crimes or the like.
Plus she is still working at the daycare and seems to really be loving it. The experience there has helped her grow into a very responsible and dependable woman. She has picked up some babysitting and house sitting too. One of the kids at the daycare is a special needs child and she has learned to adapt in very stressful situations.

Our Family Calendar

Teresa/Deron = this color
Rick/Anne = this color
Steve/Elizabeth = this color
Dad = this color

March 7th ...................................Rebecca in Monterey
March 7th ...................................Rick running 10k (in Sanger)
March 10th ................................Kristina’s birthday (20, wow!)
March 11th .................................Dad’s birthday (Teresa, heehee)
March 13th (wknd)....................celebrate Dad's b-day on Sat.???
March 22nd.................................Duathlon (Woodward Park)
March 30th..................................Rebecca recieving Academic Award
April 6th – 13th...........................kids on Spring break
April ? ?........................................out to “practice run” Sac. marathon
May 1st.........................................Out to Sacramento
May 2nd.......................................Sacramento Marathon http://www.parkwayhalf.com/
May 3rd.......................................Deron & Teresa Anniversary
May 3rd.......................................Anne’s birthday
May 9th........................................Elizabeth’s birthday
May 10th.....................................Mother’s Day
June 12th.....................................last day of school (yea!!)
June 15th.....................................ready to PARTAY!?!?!
June 21st.....................................Father’s Day
June 19th.....................................Deron’s birthday
June 15-19...................................NOT AVAILABLE Budget Hearings (sorry)
June 20-27................................FAMILY VACATION - Snowflower
July 4th........................................weekend not available – work stuff
July 10th......................................go to Sacramento
July 11th.......................................triathlon at Rancho Seco http://www.findaraceevent.com/ViewRaceDetail.aspx?raceId=4893
Jul7 16th......................................Noah's Birthday
August 5th..................................Joshua's Birthday
August 24th................................assuming back to school (yea!!)
August 26th................................Teresa’s birthday
August 26th.................................Rick & Anne Anniversary
September 29th...........................Elizabeth's Birthday
October 6th.................................Scott's Birthday