michelle's mustard moments: triathlon

Sunday June 24 at 12:45 pm, my father Charles and I began our short triathlon measuring 27 km from Waterloo to Cambridge, Ontario. Through this triathlon, additional funds for my upcoming one year mission trip to Uganda was sucessfully raised. Abiding by the seasonal law of the Northern Hemisphere, the sun emitted radiation and heat that our sunscreen-smothered bodies quickly absorbed. Equipped with five watter bottles, two maps, two hats, one bicycle helmet, one camera, one cell phone for emergencies, one first aid kit, one bicycle, one pair of rollerblades, and two pairs of running shoes, we began our two-and-a-half hour journey. We quickly learned that to change from bicycling to running, the cyclist would go ahead a few hundred meters where the cyclist would leave the bicycle, the helmet, and backpack, and proceed to run at which time the runner would then continue on bicycle. A rather efficient and effective system! Dodging some remnants of geese presence, we passed through the University of Waterloo soon coming to Waterloo Park. Cautiously stepping into my rollerblades, Charles slowly began gliding along the Iron Horse Trail. Admittedly, he quickly gained confidence and comfort as he bladed the five kilometers on this trail. Partway on the Iron Horse Trail (kilometer 7), our friend Barbara sat cheering us on! What a blessing to have fans! We ran and bicycled to Wilson Park where I excitedly packed my running shoes opting instead for my rollerblades. Gaining lost time from a few map checks, my dad and I soon found ourselves at the entrance to the Grand River Trail. Tall trees shadowed the sun, green leaves allowed a slight breeze to evaporate our sweat, and rocks cushioned our running feet and bicycle tires for the next five km. We then rollerbladed and bicycled through Doon Village, past Conestoga College to Homer Watson. This busy intersection was where Charles packed the rollerblades where they stayed sheltered from the pebbly roads for the remainder of the trip. Getting a head start, I began to lightly run down Homer Watson which soon became Fountain Street. Following Fountain Street until Riverside Park, we ran and bicycled exchanging positions twice. As I ran into Riverside Park with Charles bicycling beside me I appreciated the claps, cheers, and congratulations of family and friends. Thank you to the many who sponsored me during this triathlon. I particularly enjoyed reminding myself who sponsored the km on which I was running, bicycling, or rollerblading. There are few other stories to share so I will let some pictures disclose the beauty and fun of the triathlon: