Lori's Triathlon...

Just when I think my days of spectating are over I am invited to be a fan at another event! The Escape Ft. DeSoto Triathlon took place on Saturday in St. Petersburg and I just happened to be in town for the occasion. Even the little training that Lori did paid off as she walked away with first in her age group! http://trievent.com/escape/

It was fun times with Lori and friends as they participated in the .5 mile swim, 11 mile bike and 4 mile run. It started in a deep fog at the beach where you could hardly see the orange bouys and kayaks that directed the more that 11oo participants over the swim course and back across the beach to the transition. Lori and her friends, Erinn and Angie started in the same wave - different age groups.

Erinn's hubby, Tony and their nephew, Matt followed up in the men's division as the men participated in their first-ever "Triath-a-lon" ...

...complete with a cheering section of extended family from Pittsburgh, PA! It is a faithful fan club that will show up before dawn and stay until the finish! and listen to the details of a struggle to keep swimming while being dunked and battered and kicked in the "free-for-all" known as the men's swim.

(Special thanks to Lori's main "support staff", photographer and number one fan, Constantin, who also happened to be in town for the occasion.)

Lori finished with a strong run and posted high in the women's standings with her 1:08 time.

By the end the sun had burned through the morning fog revealing a gorgeous blue sky, brilliant sunshine and great beach temperatures! Woo Hoo!, Lori Jo!!

Time to celebrate with a twinkie and a ho-ho!