GO TEAM HARDCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A few years ago, Kelsey decided to compete in the Kelowna Apple Triathlon and she was really into training hard(core). Rebecca figures triathlons should be a team event, so Kelsey earned herself the nickname Team Hardcore. Unfortunately that triathlon got rained out by a freak Kelowna storm, so I have never seen Kelsey do a triathlon.



So, in an attempt to remedy my Kelsey-triathlon-spectating deficiency, yesterday Alex and I got up bright and early and drove to Osoyoos to surprise Kelsey who completed her first half Ironman triathlon in Oliver today.

We took the Hope-Princeton highway which I haven't been on for years. It's scary how much the pine beetles have destroyed in there, but it is still a pretty drive. We had lunch in the booming metropolis of Princeton...thank goodness for Subway!



I came very close to finishing the incredible, never ending afghan...



After, a little shopping excursion to Stedmans in downtown Osoyoos, where I increased my wool stash in anticipation of a number of friends/family members having babies in the next six months or so,



we met Kelsey with my Dad and Rebecca at a restaurant in Osoyoos. We timed it perfectly as Kelsey was in the bathroom when we got there, so we just sat down at the table. She was completely shocked and surprised and the entire section of the restaurant thought it was so cool that we'd surprise...most people were eating pasta, so they were probably all getting ready for the big half Ironman.



This morning was rainy and grey, but we got our coffee and were at the start line to cheer Kelsey on at 8:00 am.







Kelsey kept us entertained throughout the race, waving, smiling and pumping her fists for her spectators - she had eleven of us out to see her!



Once she had transitioned onto her bike,



we went to downtown Oliver, which is vibrating with activity on a Sunday (ha!), and found ourselves some brunch





before hanging out on a street corner,



awaiting the blur of colour as Kelsey sped by on her bike.



The last leg of the race was the run and Kelsey paused on her way past to give our official sign waver, Rebecca, a high five.







By the time she came up to the finish line that one final time, she had a noisy, participatory cheering squad helping her along. Uncle Mike ran the last kilometre or so with Kelsey and as she came over the crest of the hill to where we were all eagerly awaiting her, Auntie Sany ran onto the course with her and she was joined by Devon and Kai on their long boards.










What a fun day, even though it was wet to begin with!

Some numbers (any timing number is so totally unofficial still!):
2 km swim (20/18 split or so)
93 km cycle
21 km run
overall time of 6:39 or something like that
11 spectators
2 long boards
3 bikes (one for Kelsey, two for the relatives)
1 cute puppy
at least 6 cameras capturing the insanity
1 wolf whistling twin sister