Exceeding Expectations
at the
Tinsel Triathlon (& 5K)
December 8, 2007
The Palm Springs YMCA was kind enough to let us
stage our bike
and equipment trailer on their property for the week before the race.
Warm and sunny Southern California, right?
A storm the night before drenched the local hills in snow.
The race site was in the 30s at 6:30 a.m.
"Ve vant to pomp you op!"
Isi helping to get the bikes ready.
New team member and bike mechanic Marvin (aka
"Pepe"), left,
and
new
volunteer Craig. Both did yeoman work getting all the bikes ready.
Josh Rodriguez sporting his sponsor tat.
New team members Destiny, Cheyann and Kassandra.
It was the generous contributions of EE friends during 2007 that made
it possible for us to bring more great kids like these into the program.
More new members: Rudolfo and Alexis
Veteran Damian, EE co-founder Jacque Irons' son
Coach Cherie with Vianey and Aricelli
The starting lineup. By this time, it had warmed up
enough for the
sweats to come off...and some shirts, too.
Meli (center; Miguel and Isi's dad) and Josh
burning it into the run-to-bike transition
Destiny wrapping up the 5K.
Cesar on the leading edge (of fashion, anyway)
Cheyann flashing her Foster Grants in the 5K
Even without reindeer, the man can move.
Oh, now we get it. He's chasing a wayward elf.
Brian coming into T1.
Destiny, Kassandra and Cheyann escorting Iron-legend
and
EE friend Bill Bell into transition
Rudolfo, new-found pride clearly in evidence
Nik, focused and holding form
New member Teddy
Miguel hanging in despite the side stitch
Vianey, a star on her high school cross country
team,
has improved her times tremendously.
The last leg of the tri is three laps in the 50-meter pool.
Nik exiting strong
Miguel, looking glad it's over.
Stephanie had a great finish.
And so did Marlene.
They're supposed to be cheering on their teammates,
but
"Hey, wait! There's a camera!"
Hardware awaits the winners.
Josh takes first place in his age group...
for the fourth year in a row!
In her very first event, Kassandra seizes first
place.
And two other EE kids grabbed 2nd and 3rd, for a clean sweep.
Rudolfo collecting his award for an impressive performance.
Josh and Isi, representin'
Afterwards, a dip into the bins of donated duds
Marv ("I can't stop looking at it") was
thrilled with this beautiful bike,
one of two identical Simonetti's donated by a friend of the kids.
Sometimes one inspirational adult can turn your
life around.
For Marv it was Ron, a school officer who got him into
cycling.
Bill Bell celebrating a great day with a few of the
gang.
A splendid time was had by all!