TR Snippet: The Half Iron Man

This trip to Vegas was not driven simply by a desire to see the cards shuffled. Son Cory from Salt Lake City wanted us to meet him and a couple buddies there because they had decided to run the Half Iron Man at Lake Mead (Swim 1.2 miles, Bike 56 miles, Run 13.1 miles.) It was Cory's first experience with such a race. While he had no thought of winning, he did hope to finish and enjoy the experience.




Lake Mead was wonderful. A fine breeze took any uncomfortable heat away quickly. I had only been there in August and this was much different.

We chose to stay at El Cortez because it was the cheapest, especially for late acting young folks who cannot really plan anything three months in advance. In retrospect, I think the Hacienda would have been a better pick because it was so much closer to the Iron Man event, but I did not know anything about Lake Mead or that casino.
The gathering included my wife Elizabeth, Cory's girlfriend Emily, Cory's brother Dana and Dana's friend Amanda. His old high school buddies Mike and Jared also brought family along to cheer them, so we had a nice community from the old neighborhood to make the waiting go by quickly.

We did not get up at 4AM to head out to see them dive in the water. Cory managed to be the 5th out of the water, so he was very pleased at that. We were there to cheer him as he switched to the bike part of the race.




Then we went for coffee at Starbucks and some nice long chatter.

emily

(note: this is a later shot of Dana and Amanda but they were there for coffee)

Back at the finish line we waited to see Mike cross first, then Cory, and then Jared finish the grueling race.

Jarad and family

Mike and brother Tom

waiting

waiting

waiting

waiting

waiting

!!!!!!!THE FINISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Free massages for the finishers

Mike and his brother

The finishers standing in reverse order: Jared, Mike, Cory

Jared and Family

SUNSET FEAST CELEBRATION

After the event we all met for a fine feast and to talk down the fun of the Half Iron Man. I used Fiesta points to get one free buffet and my card to reduce the price of the others. It was good food, good company, and lots of fun.

Everyone

tired Mike

Elizabeth Dana Cory

Cory says he is psyched and wants to do one again soon. He enjoyed it and felt fine that he could finish and not be completely exhausted.