THE BIG O + LITTLE T: Mike's Latest Feat: a Triathlon

Let me start by expressing how proud I am of my husband! I was impressed with the fact that he had been training all summer, not to mention that he actually participated in a TRIATHLON this past weekend. This makes it sound like Mike isn't a physical person, which everyone knows isn't true. He works out on a regular basis and still plays various sports, but to compete in a triathlon on an extremely hot day, having never done one before, and finishing with such flying colors... I was very impressed!
Mike's first triathlon, the Bayside YMCA Triathlon, started with a 1/2 mile swim in the ocean at Barrington Beach, then a short run on the beach to the bike transition area, a 12 mile bike ride, and then a 3 mile run back to the beach. Crazy, I know! I wouldn't have even made it out to the first booie where the actual swimming portion started.
His motto while training this summer was, "To Complete, Not Compete". Well, I would say he was a competitor, not just someone who actually finished the race, and there were plenty who didn't. He had given himself 2 1/2 hours to finish, but his goal was to do it under 2. His final time he thought was 1 hour and 28 minutes, but his official time by the authorities was actually 1:27:08.
Mike, wearing his special baithing suit, minutes before the race is about to start. His green cap indicated that he was part of the Clydesdale group, due to his size. So funny.

Pat participated in the triathlon too, so Amy volunteered to direct traffic, which was very funny in itself. She left her post to watch the beginning of the race.

Obviously it was impossible to follow him as he swam, but if you look close enough you can see the swimmers in this picture. They started in groups and it was cool to watch them. Mike's group is in the water and another one is waiting to start.

Here is Mike running from the swimming portion to the bike transition area.

Below is Pat doing the same. He was in a different division and his final time was 1:34:32, which was also very impressive.

Poor Mike had to use his mountain bike for the triathlon, which made it even more difficult. Had he had the appropriate bike, he would have shaved at least ten minutes off of his time.