Here goes......

Well, here they are!!! Now, I have to say....these are VERY UNFLATTERING pictures of me, but damn it, I DON'T CARE!!! I DID IT!!! so that's me in the red visor (in the middle ) and Alika & Tiki on the far right (shes sitting) Yes it was 3.5 miles DOWN THE OCEAN. In this picture you wouldn't know it, but the wind was facing me HEAD ON. I barely moved. About 100 people finished after me....I hope to have a better time next year & 15 pounds lighter !!! Alika looking at me, encouraging me as I'm WHINING "OH THE WIND.....I CAN'T DO IT..."

When we finished we all had to run up a steep sand dune ( as though I haven't had enough already..) & the anklet Tiki is sporting gives our number for our times.

Finally, thee grand finale of the day....they had a kids 5-12yr olds competing in a Paddle, Run, Swim events. Tiki wanted to sign up for paddling.

Her age division was 5-6 yr olds. they had to lay on surfboards and paddle ( like your catching a wave) from one buoy to the other AND BACK!!! She won a gold medal for her time in her AGE!!!! she doesn't have her medal on in this picture...I think her dad was looking at it.

Alika has paddled, surfed, swim...he owns NO METAL OR AWARD saying "WAIMEA BAY winner" HE is beyond stoked!!!

(Waimea bay usually in Dec has 25++++ waves...look how flat it is in the summer) I didn't have my camera so I don't have any pix of her event.

OUR DAY TOGETHER

4th of July was different this year! My husband usually does this race (only 3.5 miles). This year, he wanted to do it ALL TOGETHER...AS A FAMILY!!! Tiki & Dad on one board, and me on my own...ON MY OWN...AHHHHH!!! when the flag went down, I started decent. about 2 miles in...I kept thinking "WHAT WAS I DOING THIS TO MYSELF FOR??!?!!" My friend be FORE the race was nervous ...blaming me..."HOW, did i let you talk me into this???" SHE FINISHED BEFORE I DID!!! AWESOME. Pregnant moms, doing great , little kids...about 400 contestants. My time??? 49:56 not great by any means....but I DID IT!!! I didn't realize that it is harder than it looks. worse part was , in the finishing stretch, the winds were blowing me back.. i wanted to paddle on my knees, but I could just hear Tiki , "MOM, KEEP TRYING!!!" so, i didn't. Alika was gracious enough to go along side me. Him & Tiki could of been done soooo fast, but he wanted to cross the finish line TOGETHER!!! Had a AWESOME DAY!!! Tiki took pictures , but i didn't give her my water camera, we bought a "old fashion" one that i actually have to turn in & get developed!!! HOW ODD!! :)