The Sandbaggers rule the WORLD!

What a day in Clearwater! The ultimate sandbaggers, Lindsey and Lauren both destroyed the competition, winning their respective age groups (20-24 and 30-34). A great cap to a very successful season for both ladies and a fitting good-bye to age group competition as both of them turn pro next year. Here are some pics of the day:

The HTFU crew before the race




And with Lauren's husband, Matt, who is a total riot and became my partner in crime all day



Thanks so much to Andrew's sister for giving me my very first piece of Timex swag. It has become glued and firmly sealed to my head. Here I am posing with Lauren pre-race


And with Lindsey


We had a nice glamour shot session before Lindsey went off. This is one of my favorites shots


After the ladies went off we went to see the people coming in from the swim. I saw a boat coming into shore with a person in it and was afraid that someone was having a medical issue. But then the person towing the rope came into view and it was a very familiar face. Dick Hoyt was finishing the swim leg with son Rick in tow. These two are the reason I did my first triathlon and forever such an inspiration to me and thousands of others. Here is a great pic of a father's love:


Then it was Lauren coming out of the water



While waiting for Lindsey we saw the cutest set-up for a picture ever. Meet M-dog


And Purse emerges! (Lindsey's nickname since camp in March where she brought a purse to the pool)



Here Matt and I relocated to the hot corner. He owns a production company and carried around a HD camera all day. The movie he makes is going to be completely hilarious! We had an absolute blast out there. There was dancing, cheering and color commentary galore!




And here comes Lauren leading her age group and coming in before the draft packs. Her wave started early so she rode a clean race (which can't be said of many people who started in later waves)


And here comes the World's Fastest Handbag, finishing up her gatorade, also leading her age group



Lindsey SMOKED the run, with a end time of 1:27. Holy moly!



Here is one of my Cleveland peeps and teammate on my swim team, Jim. He and my other teammate Andrea are new parents and he took third in his age group. SMOKING FAST!


I had to be Paulo's stand-in, so when I saw Lauren making the turn to finish I said: "KEEP IT TOGETHER, LAUREN!!!!"


The Sandbaggers after the race, celebrating their victories



And all of my Cleveland peeps



Me with my ladies



And Lindsey after the race. This says it all



A HUGE congrats to the ladies and big thank you for allowing me to be part of your day. Few things in life make me happier than watching my friends succeed. You guys are my inspiration. Now Lauren, get that pro card and get the hell out of my age group! See ya in Oceanside!!!

:-)