Oh Ironman! How you have changed my life!

A few years ago, I had no idea how much impact the world of Ironman and triathlon would have on both me and my family! In 2007, James ran his first triathlon. We did not know much about the sport. In fact, he raced on a $70 mountain bike from Wal-Mart! It was nicknamed “The Tank” and his friends had doubts that he would finish the race!

Now, after participating in two ½ Ironman races and the 2011 Ironman World Championship, it seems that our lives revolve around races. We no longer just choose a place to go on vacation…we go where there are races!

We watch the Ironman races when they come on tv. We watch the videos from the 2009 and 2010 World Championships while James is on the bike. We check race stats online. And, we stream the races on our computer!

Today is the Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship. Since 4:00 pm, we have been streaming it live, keeping up with some of the big names in the triathlon world. While James was in the kitchen making dinner (it is great to have a man who can cook!) I was sending him live updates on his phone. Oh how we wish we were there!

Yes, Ironman has definitely changed my life!

Disney Update

After a nasty bout with the flu, that knocked both of us off our feet for quite a while, the Disney walking competition is back in business! I finally felt good enough to walk 4 miles today and that put me over 200 miles this year! I have walked 203.75 miles, but unfortunately, Alicia has walked 212! Not to worry, though, I was in the lead before the dreaded flu hit, and I will catch up again!

For the 3^rd year in a row, James has started the “race season” at the Azalea Triathlon. It felt weird after all the long distance training, to be finished with the entire race in less time than it took for the swim in Kona!

As you can see, my photography has not improved over the winter!

Azalea or Hawaii, we are still super proud of Daddy!

The boys have assumed their “race positions”! Aaron, up the nearest tree, and Rylan in his stroller. Aaron is a lot happier about it than Rylan is!

The Garris family’s race season kicked off yesterday! We finished last year’s season with a full Ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and 26.2 mile run, for a total of 140.6 miles). We started 2012 season with a “sprint triathlon” (300 yard swim, 10 mile bike and a 5 kilometer run!). Last year was concluded with a swim in the Pacific Ocean, while this year began with a swim in UNCW’s pool!

While we sincerely miss being in Kona, and are saddened we will not be there in October, our little sprint race that we open the season with does have one huge advantage over racing in Hawaii! What on earth could that possibly be?

Kona-up at 4:00 am

Azeala Race-up at 7:00 am

I’m just trying to look on the bright side, here!

Race Season 2012

The “Iron Family” officially begins the 2012 race season on Saturday. James was packing up his gear for the race when he sadly said “I guess I have to take my number off my helmet.” I wasn’t thinking when I replied “Why?” He replied, “Because I won’t be number 1306”. He still had his number on there from the Ironman World Championship back in October!

It made me sad to think about him taking the number off. Our trip to the Ironman was such a life changing event for our entire family. Now, we have moved into a new race season and new racers will win the lottery and live their dreams in Kona! Oh how I envy them!

Shaving for Cali!

St. Baldrick’s is a lot of fun, but for a very serious cause. Aaron and Jackson shaved their heads in honor of Cali, who has a brain tumor.

Thank you, Cali, for letting them shave their heads in your honor! We love you, sweet girl!

The whole family at St. Baldrick’s!

Aaron and his extremely proud Mommy!

James and Aaron checking out each other’s new “do”!

It's a kilt, not a skirt!

The first time we ever participated in St. Baldrick’s, James made a deal with his friends…”Give over $500 and I will shave my head in my kilt!” His friends stepped up, and the kilt made an appearance! So, this year, James made the same deal. And, since the team made well over $1000, he again brought out the kilt!

Whatever you do, don’t call it a skirt though. Upon arriving at St. Baldrick’s, a lady said “Awww…look at his skirt”. His reply was “It’s a kilt! It’s only a skirt if you have something on underneath it!”

Aaron’s Team raised over $1000 for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation!

Aaron was really nervous about St. Baldrick’s, but he conquered his nerves to help conquer cancer!

Finishing up the shaves!

Checking each other out!

The “big boys” were having fun at St. Baldrick’s!

Jackson seems to be having a good time, too!

Do I look as silly as you do?

St. Baldrick's

Finally! The moment we had all be waiting for arrived! Aaron was nervous, but Jackson was not. I think Jackson smiled through the entire shave!

Thank you, Josh Sorrell, for shaving as part of Aaron’s Team

Aaron and Jackson were very excited about St. Baldrick’s! Getting them to sit down to eat was nearly impossible!

Heading to St. Baldrick's!

On Saturday, March 3, we attended “St. Baldrick’s”. Chase Smith had wanted to shave with Aaron’s Team, but was unable to get off work. So, instead, he raised money and shaved his head at work! So, on our way to the event, we stopped by his station to tell him “thank you!”

Here we are at last year’s St. Baldrick’s. Non of the boys shaved their heads, but we did have a good time supporting a great cause!

St. Baldrick's 2008

Here is James getting his head shaved at the first “St. Baldrick’s” event we ever attended!

Showing off the kilt!

St. Baldrick's Past

St. Baldrick’s was introduced to us a few years ago by a friend. James thought it was a wonderful cause and immediately jumped on board. He set a fundraising goal and said if his friends stepped up to help him meet it, then he would get his head shaved in his kilt! The goal was met and the kilt came out!

James walking in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Aaron and a friendly leprechaun!

James and the kilt at St. Baldrick’s

This is Bella. Bella and Aaron met and became friends in kindergarten. She has 3 younger sisters and a baby brother. We soon learned that her sister, Cali, has a brain tumor.

This is Cali. Over the past year and a half, Aaron has spent some time with Cali and he often prays for her at night.

So, when Aaron and his friend, Jackson, decided to shave their heads for St. Baldrick’s, they chose to do it in honor of sweet little Cali!

What is St. Baldrick’s? Their mission statement says “The St. Baldrick's Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity committed to funding the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives.”

What does that have to do with Aaron and Jackson? They, along with James and others, have volunteered to shave their heads to raise money and awareness for childhood cancers!

This Saturday is the big day! Their team has been hard at work raising money and growing their hair out to shave in honor of Cali!

If you would like to help support these awesome 1^st graders in their efforts to fight cancer, you can give to their team at: http://www.stbaldricks.org/teams/aarongarris

Thank you so much to those of you who have already given so generously!

“Alright, Daddy…I have checked over your bike and it is in great shape! Now, you know there are crazy people out there, so don’t forget to wear your “road id”. Does Mommy need to bring you water? No? Okay. Looks like you are all set!”

(What Rylan is saying to James!)

March brings a lot of things to our household. For one thing, it is the start of race season! March also brings St. Baldrick’s and St. Patrick’s Day (which are big deals in our house) This year, March 1 brought sunshine and 80 degree temps! So, Rylan ran around in a diaper for a while, before cheering his Daddy on as he went outside to ride the bike and run in the beautiful sunshine!