Karen's Deck

Karen's old back porch.

Dan trying to figure out the steps.

Dan threatening his cousin Jared with the hose.




8 family members and 3 days later Karen has a new deck.

Weekend in Dubuque

This is a barge that ran into one of the train bridge in Dubuque. Eventually the barge was removed but they had to wait about a month because the river was so high.
One of the clydesdale horses that came to America's River Fest.
All the horses ready to take beer to one of the local bars. We were only feet away from the horses which I think is pretty cool considering there's only one guy holding the reins and 8 horses that could do some serious damage to a person. The horses were really well trained and very well behaved except for the few that were anxious to get going and kept leaning over to ask their neighbor when they were leaving.

Waupaca Triathlon

Dan pointed out to me that the Waupaca triathlon is the only race we have done twice. Thanks family for coming and cheering us on!

1. Baseball sculpture at Principal Field in Des Moines, IA. Principal Field is home of the Iowa Cubs, a triple A baseball team.

2. There's a chicken in the cage on the tractor. Happy 4th of July!

3. Dan and Karen at the Timber Rattlers baseball game.

4. Me and Dan sneaking cookies at his parent's house.

DeWitt

At the last minute Dan added another race to our already busy summer schedule. This triathlon was in DeWitt, IA only about an hour from Dubuque.

Can I say that this was the best triathlon ever? This was the best triathlon ever! I came in second! Of course I missed hearing my name called during the awards ceremony because I was busy taking a shower. Dan and I didn't bother to check our times before showering so we didn't know that we should have stuck around for the ceremony. When I was coming out of the locker room (the race ended at the high school which was open for us to use the showers) Dan was waving furiously at me and told me that I came in second. After they were done handing out the rest of the awards I went up and got my plaque.

The second picture is of me and Dan being excited and surprised that I came in second.

The bottom picture is of Cricket and what she does while we are busy huffing and puffing our way through the race.

Did I mention that Dan gave himself a mohawk for the race?

Pardeeville

July 12, 2008 took us to Pardeville, WI for the 3rd race of the summer. No action photos from this race yet but here are a few from afterward when we were standing around figuring out when we would meet for lunch after Dan and I got cleaned up. Thanks family for coming to see us race!

Hy-Vee part 2

Picture 1: Me waving to my fan!

Picture 2: The professional men racing later that same afternoon. The US Olympic Triathlon team used this event to determine the 3rd team member for both the men's and women's US Olympic Triathlon teams.

Picture 3: We knew when the bikers were getting close because this helicopter we be right over us filming the racers as they raced around the course.

Doing this race was very exciting but I have to admit that I was happy when I finished. Thanks again Dad for coming and cheering us on!

Hy-Vee Triathlon

On June 22, 2008 Dan and I completed the Hy-Vee Triathlon in Des Moines, IA. This was an olympic distance event which means we swam 1.5k, biked 40k, and ran 10k. We had only ever done sprint triathlons (1/4-1/2 mile swim, 15-20 mile bike ride, and 5k run) up until this event so we both trained for months to get ready and it definately paid off especially on the huge hill that we had to climb at the end of the run. Okay, the hill probably wouldn't have seemed so terrible on any other day but after swimming, biking, and running almost 10k it was a mountain.

The top picture was taken at 4 (yes, 4) in the morning before we left the hotel for the mall where we parked the car and a shuttle was waiting to take us to the lake. We had dropped off our bikes and running gear the night before at the transition areas so we didn't have to carry much with us that morning.

The second picture is of Dan's wave swimming away. The shuttle bus dropped my dad (and all other spectators) off at the bike/run transition area which was 1.5 miles from the lake. He had to walk the distance and got there just in time to snap the picture as Dan began his swim. Thanks Dad for taking pictures and cheering us on!

Picture number 3 is of me and my wave waiting to begin our swim. The water was actually very warm but incredibly dirty. With all the rain that the area received earlier in the month the water was very high and muddy. My swimsuit was filthy when I was done swimming.

Dan getting on his bike after his swim. Go Dan!

Dan running out of the transition area. He looks pretty good for having just biked 40k.

More pictures coming!

Lake Mills

The first triathlon we did this summer was in early June in Lake Mills, WI. The day ended up being really beautiful and not too warm. The water on the other hand was very, very cold and left me gasping for breath after going under the first time. The breakfast burritos and bananas after the race were very tasty!

You have to love having a little car that can fit almost anywhere! The parking lot closest to the race was completely full except for this one little spot that had a mound of wood chips in it. It was the perfect spot for the Mini and we didn't have to walk a mile with all of our race gear and bikes.