The 2007 Rush Triathlon

I intended to start my blog days ago, but technical problems prevailed. Thus my first published post will be a tribute to my two daughters who yesterday proved (once again) that Watsons still have the indomitable spirit that has been a trademark for decades. They dominated the field at the 2007 Rush Triathlon. Jennica (Hirrlinger) placed 2nd overall in the female division and 7th place total overall. She took over 6 minutes off her time of last year. Forgive my diversion to give some helpful information to provide some additional perspective. After the race last year, several people complained that the run portion of the race was not challenging enough. The result--a change in the course to include a difficult off-road uphill section on loose dirt. Additionally last year a woman, Barbara Lindquist, an Olympic marathoner handed out the awards and promised to be back this year to do the Olympic Distance. She was true to her promise and she destroyed the entire field in that distance. She also brought a friend with her, a woman who trains with Barb and is specialized in trail racing. She is the woman who beat Jen by just seconds. Now, I'm not including that portion to give Jen an excuse, but rather to express my amazement that someone as rigourously trained as this woman only inched by Jennica on the uphill run. I have watched both Jen and Lisa train--during our week in Cabo and for the last 10 days in Rexburg. They push and pull and support each other and love each other as no two other sisters I know.
Lisa collapsed on a training run just after we got home from Cabo. She did not know she had an ulcer. It perforated and she landed in the E.R. and later in surgery. In spite of all worry and concern from her mother (what's new) she was determined she would still do the Rush. She said she just wanted to finish and she didn't care if she had to walk. Sure, Lisa. Lisa took over a minute off her time from last year--finished third in her age division and 24th overall. Six weeks after major surgery and sporting a 5-6 inch incision on her abdomen, she still out-performed over 170 people.
I am so proud of these two friends. They deserve emulation on many fronts.
And so next time I will address my inspiration for starting a blog, my son Jaren.