Lilypads, bee stings, and other Xterra obstacles

Taylor competed in the Xterra Black Diamond triathlon up near Seattle Yesterday. (He prefers these off-road races to the traditional road races, although he dabbles in those too, of course.)

I served as support crew, and as a post-race treat for all my hard work, we got to visit with my bestie Emily and her hubby Greg at their cute home in Redmond.

I had a lot of fun following him all day long. I had no problem keeping busy.

First, I watched him arrange his gear in the transition area and made myself useful by helping him squeeze into his wetsuit.

Once the race started, I tried to keep track of him swimming, but all of the athletes looked the same swimming in Lake Sawyer. I spotted him as he made his way out of the water and sprinted back to the transition area to give him some motivational words and a bit of encouragement...that, and I couldn't wait to tell him how the dude with the big beer belly was the winner of the swim! I'm sure that was encouraging, right?! 

Then, I bushwhacked through the forest to catch a glimpse (as well as a couple of pics) of him bike past all the twerps who finished before him on the swim. 

I can't forget to mention how much I enjoyed cheering for him on the run. I made friends with the race volunteers, and I got several of them in on the, "Oooh yeah! Lookin' goooood, Taylor!" and "Lookin' hottttt" cheers I belted from the top of my lungs every time he ran by us.

He did so well, and I am totally proud of the guy. He finished second in his age group and twenty-third overall. I think this is a huge accomplishment. 

Here's a few of the numerous photos I took over the weekend...

Poor Taylor. I'm always making him smile to fulfill my documentation desires. Here we are at Red Robin for the pre-race dinner. We stayed in Federal Way in strip mall city, so we had plenty of chain restaurant options, and neither of us had been to a Red Robin in so long. After dinner, we remembered just why. :-/

211 on the left calf; 27 on the right.

Making his way to the oh-so-exclusive transition area. No paparazzi allowed. 

Duh! There's always a loophole! Here he is setting up!

And here he is embarrassed I keep snapping pics. Tried to do it in stealth mode, but he saw...so that's why it's blurry.

"Let's see. Have I forgotten anything? I've got my socks, shoes, Gu, Camelback..."

Hey! Check me out!

"Kate! Seriously! Stop taking pictures and help me with the zipper."

"That little island seems pretty far away."

Go Taylor! Go Taylor! Go!

And...he's out of the water!

Transitioning...

This guy tore it up on the bike.

I didn't get photos of the second transition, but I did capture this!

Is that a smile I see? Are you having fun???

Take it off!!!

Done!

"Give me that Gatorade, and get me some pasta!"

"You're really and truly not done taking pictures yet?"

Yay Taylor!

I am so proud of this guy!

And...I forgot to take any pics when we were at Emily and Greg's house...totally kicking myself now! I tried to snap one when we were driving away, but she sprayed the hose to avoid the photo op. Thanks to the Lagreids for hosting a wonderful post-race barbecue in their adorable new house. I can't believe after almost a year, Em finally got to meet Taylor.

Gotcha, girlfriend!