Here's kind of how it went:
Immediately following Hunter's soccer game on the afternoon before race day, we drove to Honeyoye Falls, outside of Rochester. We met up with Dan, Berta, & the boys for a carb-load dinner at Bugaboo Creek, then went to see Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 3D with the entire gang. He went to bed at 9:30, with a full belly, & visions of sugar plums dancing in his head.
The next morning, I woke him at 5:15, he showered, dressed, & we hit the road for a 1'/2 hour drive to Canandaigua, NY, where he would race in the sprint. Wearing a hot pink cap, at 8:36a.m., the 40-44 males took off. The air temp was roughly 43 degrees, water temp in the low 60s, but neither seemed to bother the big guy. He acted silly & excited, posing for IronAndy & Cherstin, who surprised him at the start, (with camera & enthusiasm at the ready).
I had registered for the sprint race as well, for the sole purpose of running it with Scott. Earlier in the week when the swim wave times were posted, we discovered that Scott would be starting 40+ minutes ahead of me. Although this was a bit of a letdown, it afforded me the ability to be there for him in a different way. I was able to see him off on his swim, watch him come out of the water & enjoy his leisurely walk to transition. He put on quite a performance for the audience on several occasions, before my wave was corralled for a pre-race head count.
He appeared to walk most of the swim leg, as the water was extremely shallow. He recalls feeling like he really didn't need to swim more than maybe 1/4 of the course.
By the time I finished my swim, got through transition & headed out on my bike, Scotty was already back from his 13 mile ride, & headed for T2, to start the run. He had a big grin on his face, and was still full of infectious positive energy.
Andy & Cherstin, Dan & Berta, and the gaggle of kids they had in tow, were all over the place hooting and hollering. Scott appeared to eat this up, as can be seen in the photos Andy has shared with all of us.
I didn't get to watch His run, as I was on my bike, & in T2 for most of it. I passed him as he stood on the curb .3 miles into my run, and still, he was grinning ear to ear. As I ran my 5K, I knew he'd finished, & was happy. My run was coming to an end much quicker than I'm used to, so once I realized I had only a few hundred yards to go, I turned on the engines, anticipating the reunion with my triathlete husband. I was ambushed, & nearly tackled by Scott, (who had stopped and waited just short of the finishline), so we could finish together! What a cool surprise & experience that was!
I, as well as his friends & family, are so incredibly proud of his accomplishment! As a former boaster of the following, "I'll never ride a road bike or do a triathlon!", he impressed all of us, (and I believe himself), with his ability to think outside his comfort zone, set this kind of a goal, & achieve it. WOOT! WOOT! ATTA BOY, SCOTTY!
Enjoy the pictures, and if the chance presents itself, drop him a line to let him know that you're proud of him too!
Scott LaClair, from Watertown, NY, YOU ARE A TRIATHLETE!!!!
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