Trip to Boise, June 8 to 13

We took a trip to visit my little sister, Brittany and her hubby, Mark. Caden and I went out on a Tuesday and Chris joined us on Friday, as he had to travel for work that week, and attend his little sister's high school graduation. He was quite the jetsetter! He was also doing the Boise 1/2 Ironman on Saturday.
We had a great time. Caden loved all their animals (2 cats and dog), especially their dog, Hank. Hank was scared of Caden because every time he came close, Caden would do this really high pitch "shriek" of excitement! We also visited one of the fire stations that Uncle Mark works in and Caden even got to ride in the truck and wear a little fireman hat! It was quite cute!
Mark was also amazing in helping Chris out during the 1/2 ironman...he drove him around so he could see the course, got him checked in for the race, helped him to the starting line with all his gear, picked up his bike from the bike shop and dropped it off after the race, stayed with him post race when Chris was NOT in good shape...he deserves the brother in law of the year award!
Here are some pictures from the fire station visit and race.

Caden and Uncle Mark driving the fire truck

the newest member of the Boise Firemen

Mommy and Caden checking out the truck

Go Daddy go! Waiting to see Daddy come in from the bike

There he is, one of the first in the transition to the run

waiting to see Daddy finish the race

coming in for the finish!

Little did we know at this point that Chris did not have a great race. He was about 45 minutes behind his predicted time, so I knew something must have happened on the run. As soon as he finished the race, he was escorted straight to the medical tent...when they let me in to see him, he was cold and shaking on a cot. I hadn't ever seen him this bad after a race. Apparently, the bike ride was very windy, and Chris didn't want to get out of his "Tri position" on the bike to take in the fluids he was sweating off during the race. He should have had 7 water bottles or gatorade, and instead he only drank 2! Thus, he lost a ton of fluids and was severely dehydrated. He got sick twice during the run, and of course only lost more fluids. After lots of chicken broth and water, he finally ended up getting an IV in the medical tent and they gave him about 4 liters. The Dr. said that he probably was down about 6 liters of fluid. The race didn't start til 2pm, so by the time Chris finished it was close to 7:30. While I was in the tent with him, Britt and Mark were entertaining a very tired Caden outside. Chris told us to go home, so Britt and I took Caden back to their house, and Mark stayed behind and helped Chris until he was feeling well enough to come home and the doctors released him from the medical tent. It was a crazy day! We are glad Chris has recovered and we have a new plan for the bike so that he will get enough fluids during races...the water bottle that goes right in front of the rider and is attached to the tri bars. Now no more excuses!