Golden Boys!

Despite enormous work stressors which impacted Lowell's training, sleep, and overall energy level, he and Warren competed with the elite paratriathletes at the ITU World Triathlon Series in Edmonton last weekend! While Lowell's mental and physical exhaustion was evident in his performance (especially during the swim), the exercise and atmosphere proved to be a healthy coping strategy and distraction. Plus... they still totally nailed it. 

On Friday, the boys were able to test the bike course and meet fellow athletes- para and non. It was very cold and rainy, and amusing comments such as "You call this summer? I CAN'T FEEL MY HANDS!" were being thrown around by foreigners. Ha! In the evening, Lowell and Warren were honoured to dine and interact with elite athletes from around the world... what a privilege!

Saturday was race day. Thankfully, the rain subsided and the sun even poked it's shy head out a few times. It was still chilly, but much preferable to Friday's miserable downpour.

While the boys were completing their transition set-up before the swim, they overheard a girl with a prosthetic leg call to another athlete, "Hey can you help me with my leg with your good arm?" haha. Amazing. Only in the paras.

Warren pointing out the swim course.

Kissing the water (to climatize). Lowell takes great pleasure in facing Warren and LOUDLY saying things such as, "well... shall we kiss?!" haha. Goof. Not sure if Warren TOTALLY knew what he was signing up for when he volunteered to do this with Lowell. ;)

I always get emotional watching Lowell & Warren together. At this race, however, every athlete made me tear up. The waterworks began when I first saw the handlers helping out. Not only do these athletes have incredible amounts of strength and determination, but the community it takes to assist them is heart warming.

The swim was the boys' slowest yet, but they still looked powerful and awesome to us uneducated spectators! Are we really surprised though? They were, in fact, the hottest men there (totally in my absolutely unbiased opinion).

The boys are still working out the complexities of an open water swim... how to communicate when you can't see, can't talk, are swimming with 100% effort, and are attached by a tether (which slipped off and required adjusting...yikes). Oh, and Lowell apologizes for the multiple times he inadvertently punched Warren in the head.

Done the swim and headed to coveted blue transition mat... just like the elite elites!

The bike. They ROCKED it. Warren controlled that beast with confidence and precision, and their combined power made them fly. They rode a borrowed older style, light-weight race bike, and noticed a significant improvement compared to our humble $1200 touring tandem. I think this racing duo has proven that they are serious, and ready to invest in some proper gear!

Even during an official, sanctioned event, Lowell still has time for his shenanigans!

Huge thanks to Danny for lending Lowell the race helmet, and to Stu & Jason for lending the bike.... the appropriate equipment makes a big difference!

Zoom.

The boys were only 20 seconds behind the fastest bike time of the entire elite para race. Warren was a skilled, aggressive pilot, and their combined leg strength was a mighty powerful engine.

During the bike, the boys caught and passed USA's Amy Dixon and her guide, so us spectators were a little confused when the amazing Americans ran out of the transition area like a minute and a half before our boys! It turns out that Lowell & Warren's tether got stuck in a wet suit. Whoops! Just the night before, the boys had determined that for future races they should have TWO tethers- one for the swim and one for the run. A tad late on that call, but ah well... these two are always learning and improving. And let's be honest... this was only their third triathlon together.

Run boys run!

After the boys headed out on their second and final loop of the run, the announcer started talking about Lowell. He caught my attention when he said, "I know Lowell personally." I was all "huh?!" Then he continued, "I also know his wife, Julie." and I started looking around all wildly like, "WHAT??!! Who IS this?!" He went on "The family is here cheering him on somewhere..." and- of it's own volition- my butt jumped right out of the seat and I started hopping in circles, frantically waving "I'M HERE! I'M HERE!" It turned out that the announcer was none other than our friend, Steve! His wife, Lyndsay, was one of my best friends from grad school. I knew Steve helped organize these events AND that he'd be racing the following day... but I had no idea he'd be announcing. What a delightful surprise!

Hi Steve!

Lowell and Warren had a very respectable run time (although they still think they can shave two minutes off of it), and finished strong!

First of the PT5s to cross the finish line!

Oh don't mind me... I just need to wipe a few more prideful tears from my eyes. *ahem cough cough*

Our squad immediately swarmed our heroes. Look at the cheering section our boys generated!

It really meant a lot that everyone came out to support the boys. Without family, friends, and community, these events would not be possible. We didn't get clear photos of you all, but you know who you are, and we love you! Warren's mom (now known as Grandma Ann to our boys...we totally bonded!) accompanied him for the weekend while his wife, Becky, stayed back with their FIVE kids (I know... saint, right?). My brother-in-law's parents (Grandpa Sid & Grandma Marge) were our wonderful hosts, and were very invested in the entire process. Between Sid & Marge and my Auntie Wilma & Uncle Vern, the kids were taken care of so I could pursue my self-appointed paparazzi duty. Also, Lowell & Warren's coach, Lori, from Sports Science Institute has been invaluable. And Warren's colleagues swapped shifts with him so he could race. Seriously... we can't thank everyone enough. What wonderful energy!

Lowell with our nieces (Katelyn, Emily, & Julia) and our boys!

Us.

I'm still feeling a little left out in the family shoe department, by the way...

My cousin Dorothy (far right) and three of her four kids. I'm proud to say that Victoria is my doppleganger... in looks AND acts. I love that I have someone to pass along my torch to ;).

The G family representatives... Auntie Wilma & Uncle Vern and my cousin Ben with his daughter Allison!

Our golden boys!! Lowell and Warren ended up with TWO gold medals. One for the actual race (against international competitors), and one for the Canadian Nationals!

Lowell with his proud mom, dad & sister Janelle. And photo-bombing Fraser of course ;).

What an incredibly inspiring event. Watching each of these athletes overcome their various disabilities was sensational and SO admirable. I only wish I knew each of their stories. Seriously... every single one of them. Incredible. I get goosebumps when I view the para gallery at triathlon.org... amazing!

I was also so impressed with the guides... especially our very own Warren. He has proven that he can compete on the international triathlon stage on his own, but he has chosen to forego his own glory to help Lowell achieve his goal. Warren couldn't resist the urge to race with the age groupers on Sunday, though, and- NO SURPRISE HERE- he got first in his category and third overALL (0.2 seconds off of the second place finisher)... even after emptying his tank the day before, having very little sleep under his belt and racing in the butt freezing cold. It was actually so cold (and wet) that the race was switched to a duathlon: run-bike-run. We were SO proud to cheer him on as he raced! Only Warren could snag three gold medals and a chance to compete at the world championships next year in Mexico ALL IN ONE WEEKEND...

We missed photographing the start of the race, but caught up with Warren at the first transition!

Grandpa Sid also raced with the age groupers and finished FOURTH in his category. What a feat!!

Yay Uncle Warren & Grandpa Sid!

As we were heading out of town after Sunday's races, our friends Kim & Greg texted us a picture of the Edmonton Sun. They spotted this goofy grin staring them down as they were walking to church...

HAHA! Priceless. The heading is rather unfortunate (and unrelated), but the photo is an absolute classic.

Thanks for the good times, Edmonton. We'll be back!