The Triple Bypass 2009

Besides being father and brothers, what do these guys have in common?

The Triple Bypass!

This was the day everyone was waiting for. The day that these guys trained months for. The day that separates the men from the boys!

A 120 mile ride climbing 10, 310 ft over 3 mountain passes - over the continental divide!

It was such an exciting day! The women and children headed up to finish line mid morning as to not miss anyone cross the finish line. We knew they were all going different paces and didn't want to miss a thing.

While driving up I-70 I started to notice riders. All the boys were in matching jerseys so I kept my eyes peeled. My heart leaped as I saw Ryan riding up to Loveland Pass. I let out excited beeps on the horn that he heard and waved. I can't say I didn't start to cry as I watched him climb. This is a pass that taxes our van getting over - I can't imagine doing it on a bicycle. I was so proud!

Up just a little further we passed Aaron and let out our wild beeps as well. If I had thought of it sooner, I would have gotten of the next exit to cheer these fellas on. But it was too late, I was up and over Loveland and had to go through Keystone before we could stop and wait for them to catch us. I couldn't pass up the opportunity though to see these guys. I pulled off in Keystone along the route of the ride. Just as we pulled off and looked on as the riders came through, Jason came cruising by. Go Jason! About an hour after Jason Dad came through! Go Grandpa! Go Grandpa! This was exhilarating - seeing all our guys in action!

Ryan and Aaron came through about an hour after Dad and I was thrilled. Everyone was going strong and looking awesome! ( I guess I should note here that it was less than 2 weeks before this ride that Ryan was in a bike accident and separated his shoulder - but that didn't stop him!)

Once they came through the girls and I headed to the finish line. The scenery was beautiful and I couldn't help but think of the perseverance of these men. It took 90 minutes in the car for us to get to Avon where the finish line was. These guys would be riding almost all day to get there - AMAZING!

Unfortunately, I missed Stuart and barely missed Jason crossing the finishing line.

We didn't miss Grandpa though!

Would believe that he turned 60 just 10 days earlier?! He trained so hard and accomplished this wonderful goal.

After Dad had come through, it started to get chilly and the storm clouds began rolling in. Please don't rain, please don't rain. Well, it did. A bunch! Angela and I could only think of our husbands riding through this nastiness. We weren't sure if Ryan and Aaron were going to stop and wait it out or if they were pedaling harder right through it. It was the latter. They pedaled hard right through it. And, don't think for a second they didn't feel that rain, coming down that last pass, Vail, getting hit by large raindrops at 30 -35 miles an hour..OUCH!

But they did it! In just under 10 hours in the saddle and under 12 overall!
We hooted and hollared and cheered as they came through!
YAY YAY and YAY!

Ryan

Aaron

So happy!

Congratulations, you guys
YOU DID IT!

The Triple Bypass 2009

My First 5k

I am not a runner. As much as I would like to be, I hate running. So when my sister in law, Christina, suggested (in March?) that the women in the Hunt family run a 5k on the 4th of July I was nervous. I knew I couldn't even run a mile.

The months went by, and here came June. I had to buckle down in June. Another sister in law, Nisa (who couldn't come out and run the race with us) saw the need to jump in and get me going: $100 to the person who could log the most miles RUNNING (not walking) by June 30.

One week left to log my running I was getting whipped, but I knew I wasn't going to pay her 100 bucks, so it was time to catch up. (For those of you that remember, the last two days of June were a Monday and Tuesday). So playing catch up, that Monday morning I ran the furthest I had ever run consecutively. I ran 3.15 miles - my 5k! Knowing that Nisa would be logging her miles in too, I ran 2 miles with another sister in law, Rebecca, that evening.

The last day. Tuesday. I got up, I ate breakfast. I ran 2 miles. Took the kids to swimming lessons. Came home ran 2 more miles. Played around in the afternoon and then ran another 2 before heading to bed. I had her.

I woke up to Nisa - who had also run crazy miles the day before, beating me by 2 miles! Dang it! I lost. It wasn't that I wanted her money either, I just didn't want to have to shell out $100 - a chunk of change for both of us. So Nisa sweetly took bragging rights as payment. Bless her.

Race Day. Thankfully my sister, Reecy, had come out with my parents for Rylee's baptism. Reecy can run 6 miles a day! I didn't want to slow her down, but she stuck by me and kept me going. I told her that I'm sure the other runners thought I'd brought my personal trainer! She kept me going and although I did stop to walk a few times (stupid hills!), she helped me beat my other time by 6 minutes!

Just starting
(L to R - Christina, Rebecca, Reecy, me and Angela. Mom H and Katherine ahead.)

Me and Reecy

They had a 1/4 mile fun run for the kids. I was passed out on the grass somewhere...or running around trying to get pictures of all the kids...I didn't do very well!

Our family picture


A (partial) Hunt family picture

Love our shirts? "Hunt Family Cycling Team 2009"
While the Hunt women ran a 5 K, it was only 1 week from the boys riding The Triple Bypass.
Post and pics to follow.