One of my favorite things about coaching is seeing how things change among the team - most of the time (all of the time?) for the better.
Two years ago was our first kids triathlon. It was two weeks after everyone's first triathlon, a week after the first newspaper article and the night after we were invited to a Fresno Coyotes indoor football game. It was also the first event that we were blessed to use the Suburban... at that time on loan from who we eventually bought it for. (correction: I bought it from...).
Last year we were much more experienced and had more kids who did much better! The Fresno Bee was on hand that time and so my kids performed admirably knowing people were watching.
This year it was 'just another triathlon' for the kids even though in retrospect I had the most competitors to date. I relied on parents for their transportation; but as is often the case things fell through for several students in the end and the students going and how they were gonna get there wasn't set until about 7pm last night. This meant I had to pick up three kids up at 5 this morning because I was helping with set up this year so got there at 6... it's always great to see an event go from nothing to 200 kids and probably as many spectators too!
It was a great event once again. Record (?) numbers of kids and great competition in the 15-17 division. Also had two new racers (siblings of students) racing in the 13-14 division.
We placed 2nd and 3rd in the top age group with solid performances by Albert and Aaron. Jr. finished his first triathlon.
(comparison shots:
Albert in 2007:
Albert in 2008:
Albert in 2009:
... only using albert because he's the only one who has done all three). Aside from the obvious, "difference between 15 and 17" body, it's clear that this year his body is more streamlined from being on the swim team this year and he's solid, not just bulky, muscle. Proud of him and all of the other kids at this year's tri!
Looking forward to next year's event already!
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