Hy-Vee Triathlon Age Group Race

Sunday was the age group race (not pro). Adam was again competing and this year, I was competing on a relay team. 3 team members, 1 for each leg, I did the run portion. Saturday morning, Adam, Megan and I headed to the packet pick-up and expo. Last year, packet pick-up was held at Hy-Vee Hall downtown and there was a large expo with several different vendors. Adam was really exciting to check out the expo this year and convinced Megan to come along and check it out. This year it was held out at Southwoods Valley Freshman High School. There was a mandatory meeting that we attended before they would give out packets.After a 15 minute meeting, we were sent through the line to pick up our packets. Once through packet pick up we found the expo. It was set up in the cafeteria and what a let down. 4 or 5 different vendors and it took us about 3 minutes to check it all out. We were a little disappointed, but we did get a free magnet!
On to the race...the race started at 6am with the Elite men swimming first. Then every 4 minutes another age group would go. There were 15 waves total. Adam's age group (men 25 - 29) can be seen here wearing the pink swim caps. Each age group was assigned a different color swim cap. Adam's group hit the water at 6:16am.

The teams didn't go till 6:36am, so I had some time to kill. We had some time to snap a team photo. Ryan (bike), Brad (swim), and me (run). Only problem, Brad found himself in the ER Thursday night with some heart/chest pains, he was kept overnight and the doctors told him, "No competing". We were able to find a last minute substitute to fill in on the swim. Brad rode his bike down to cheer on his team.

After the swim, Adam headed for his bike while Megan and Heather cheered him on.

After our swimmer, Mitch, got out of the water, he handed off to Ryan on the bike.

After the bike, Adam was off and running...

I too got the hand off from Ryan and started my run.

Here is Adam coming in for the finish!

...and he crossed the line on the blue carpet!

Here I come into the finish...

...and down the blue carpet to the finish line.

For the team competition, we all did really well and ended up winning! We couldn't find Mitch, but Ryan and I got a quick team picture. Full team results can be found here.

Heather and I after the race hanging out in the sun!

It was a really fun day, lots going on and lots of people to cheer for. Adam ended up doing really well...Nice Job Adam! Full age group results can be found here. We had a great weekend hanging out with Adam and Megan, we can't wait till the next triathlon!

Hy-Vee Triathlon - ProRace

If you live in or around Des Moines, I am sure you were aware that there was a lot going on this weekend. The Arts Festival and the Hy-Vee Triathlon we two big hitters on our list. My good friend Adam and his girlfriend Megan came to town to stay at the Comfort B&B for the weekend. Adam participated in the triathlon on Sunday. They got into town Friday evening, so we headed down to the arts festival to check out some art and for a free concert by Gavin DeGraw. We forgot our camera but Adam was able to snap a pic using his phone!Saturday, we headed out to West Des Moines to watch the ITU professional triathlon race. They did a great job transforming Raccoon River Park into a venue fit for world class athletes. This was one on the bridges that were set up to let you cross over the race route. Adam and Megan was to us as they make their way across.

With Wells Blue Bunny being a sponsor of the triathlon, it comes as no surprise that Heather found a Big Bopper ice cream sandwich!

We made our way into the grand stands to watch the men race. The pro race is set up a little differently than the age group race. The pros run multiple laps, which gave us a better view to watch them! Here they come running from the swim portion to get on their bikes at the transition area.

We ran into our friend, Shawn Johnson, she was there watching the race too!

The pros zipped through this area on their bikes. This was part of the bike course and they did 8 loops, so we saw them fly by 8 times on their bikes.

Heather and I pose for a picture as we cheer on the athletes.

The last lap through, they jump off their bikes and grab their running gear and start running...

...a mere 10 to 20 seconds later, they are off and running!

We didn't get a picture of the finish, but it came down to a 3-way sprint to the end with one. It was very exciting and a lot of fun to watch. Full results for the pros can be found here.

Music Wednesday

This weeks music selection comes from the band Hawk Nelson.



We saw them this past weekend at RiseFest and they are growing on me the more I listen to them. They have a fun and upbeat sound, from their website:
Since 2004, music lovers have enjoyed a real camaraderie with rising pop-rock band Hawk Nelson, helping the quartet sell nearly half a million albums, land personal appearances on major television and motion picture projects, and gain high-profile song placement ("Bring 'Em Out") with NBC's NFL Sunday Night Football campaign.
Now the true bond of friendship between the group and others continues to strengthen, mature, and be more overtly celebrated than even before with the Canadian-originated act's third Tooth & Nail release, Hawk Nelson Is My Friend.
-enjoy-

Weekend in the O.C.

This weekend, Heather and I headed up to Orange City, IA to visit the OC Vande Lunes and the latest addition to their crew...Addyson! Rob informed us that RiseFest was also taking place that same weekend, so we got to see a lot of good bands play. As we were pulling into town we were greeted by Kevin Verschuure (Chad's good friend from high school and college, Chad we thought you would enjoy this picture!).
We got to Orange City around lunch time. Baby Addyson was sound asleep, so she didn't mind us holding her.

I seem to do pretty well with babies when they are sleeping!

Heather and I with Addyson.

After lunch, Heather, Rob, Gracie and I headed to RiseFest at the soccer complex at Northwestern College. Erin, Karys, Erin's sister Sarah and her daughter Leah stayed home to get in a nap before coming to RiseFest. We got our spot established, complete with chairs, blankets and a canopy to give us some shade! Heather and Gracie chill out in the shade while enjoying the music.

There were 6 different bands that played throughout the day. We missed the first one, but saw the other 5. There was also a KidsZone with inflatables. The first band we heard was VOTA. They were really good!

We headed over to the food area and grabbed some smoothies! Gracie loved them.

Under another tent, Pella natives, Everyman, was playing.

There was a break in the music while they were setting up the stage for the next band, so Rob and I headed over to the rock climbing wall.

I started out first...

...and made it all the way to the top!

Rob was up next.
We survey the wall as I get unhooked and Rob gets ready to climb.

and he's off...

Rob also made it all the way to the top!

Back on the main stage, Addison Road starts to play. About this time Erin and Sarah and the napping girls got out to the field.

Heather really likes Addison Road, apparently Gracie isn't as big of fan.

Karys and Auntie Heather were chillin in the chairs, throwing peace signs.
Addyson really enjoyed Addison Road too, as she and Heather listened from the comfort of the chairs.

Karys wanted a balloon, so we wondered over to the kids zone to find one...we got a pink balloon!

Next on stage was Francesca Battistelli

Gracie is such a good big sister and she holds Addyson.

Karys thought she was pretty cool as she got to try on moms shades!

Karys is also enjoying being a big sister, giving Addyson a big hug.

Hawk Nelson performed next and they definitely got the crowd jumping around with their upbeat music!

Erin and Leah were getting into it, clapping along with the music.

Not to be left out, Karys jumps in with clapping too!

Heather and I enjoy the music as we head over to the food stands to find something to drink.

Everyone was enjoying Hawk Nelson, Sarah and Leah were dancing while Rob, Karys and Gracie were jumping around!

After Hawk Nelson, Karys entertained us with her monkey skills by climbing up the pole.

Karys goes for a piggy back ride with Auntie Heather.

Last up for the night was Jeremy Camp.

We didn't stay for all of his show since he didn't start playing till 9:15 and everyone was getting tired. We headed back to Rob and Erin's and got the girls into bed. Sunday morning we headed to church, had lunch and then had to hit the road. One last picture with the girls!

Thanks so much to Rob and Erin for having us up for the weekend. We had a blast listening to great music and hanging out with you guys! The day flew by but it was filled with lots of laughs.