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                                    Recent Events - April and May 2011

Most of Paul and Suzanne's visit was dedicated to Ironman preparation, participation, or recovery from
participation (including those of us who volunteered and spectated!)  On their first day here, we drove
almost the entire course, including the 56-mile bike ride, so Suzanne would know what she was in for.
On Thursday, Suzanne did her first practice swim in choppy waters, and then on Friday, Clada was a
registration volunteer, so she got to register Suzanne for the race.  Afterwards, Suzanne did her second
practice swim and was much more comfortable with the swimming portion of event.
                                                      
            IM1  IM6  IM7
                           On Saturday, we drove to town to listen to the mandatory briefing for Ironman participants.

                                                     IM8  IM9
                         We were on site by 0430 so Suzanne could get numbered and get her stuff organized for the race.  

          IM10  We brought Zuni with us since we didn't want to leave him at home all day.

IM11IM14IM16
             IM17IM18IM19
                 Chip and Paul worked as volunteers on Saturday to set up the Transition Area, and then helped out again on race day.

                            Im13     IM21
                       The swim event starts at Hotel on the Cay; Suzanne opted to ride the ferry over since her heat was last to go.
               
                IM22  IM23
                                 Suzanne's group was last to start with a run into the water for the 1.2 mile swim.

  There are kayaks along the course to ensure swimmers are safe & on course. IM24

                             IM26IM27
                                            Suzanne had a good swim and looked relaxed for the first leg of this tough race.
 
                                                  IM28  Look at that great form!

    Which way do I go??  Andy stretches out his hand to help swimmers onto the ramp.  IM29

                                IM30  IM31
                                     Suzanne is out of the water and ready to run to her bike for the next phase of the race.

IM32Im33IM34 
 Changing clothes in the Transition Area wasn't easy, but Suzanne did manage to get out of her wet bathing suit into her biking gear.
                                         (Maybe she will invest in one of those fancy tri-suits for her next race!)

       IM35 Clada is really excited because she found her missing camera in a beach chair!     
     
                         Suzanne biked 56 miles, but went by too quickly for us to get pictures of her finishing that event!

       Suzanne is just starting out on the last phase, the 13.1 mile run.  Yowsa.  IM44 

                    IM45  Suzanne is finishing up on the first loop.

                        IM46  IM47
                                                        Suzanne finishes the last half mile of the St Croix 70.3 Ironman.
 
                    IM48  IM49
                           Suzanne met her goal:  SHE FINISHED HER FIRST TRIATHLON...it was more than a CHECK MARK!
                             (But at this very moment, she wasn't enthusiastic about another Ironman...ha! ha!  She is now hooked.)
 
                            IM2IM3
                                 After Suzanne finished the race and re-hydrated, she was all smiles..."I think I'll do another one!"

                                                                         IM5
           Let's just say being the support crew is HARD WORK!  We saw more of Christiansted in a day than we usually see in a year.
                              And Clada was so hoarse from cheering every participant that she could hardly talk the next day.
 
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