Susan experiences her very first triathlon

As a spectator, that is. I am SO not a competition grade athlete--especially when it comes to swimming, running or biking. Well, I actually like to ride bikes--as long as it's on fairly flat surfaces and I can take all the time my little heart desires. But to do all three sports one after the other on the same day? In really hot weather? That's just freakin' nuts.

My sweet baby boy obviously takes after his daddy's side of the family, because he competed in the Grand Columbian Olympic Triathlon last Saturday. It was held at Grand Coulee Dam in eastern Washington (or east of the mountains as we Washingtonians call it). That's a very pretty area in a stark, minimalist kinda way. Nowhere as green as the west side of the Cascades, it's nevertheless majestic with its miles and miles of coulees dug out by glaciers several millennium ago.

My son's class of the event started with a-hair-under-a-mile swim in Banks Lake. Coming out of the water, the competitors shed their wetsuits, changed into their biking clothes, shoes and helmets and were off on a 25 mile bike ride. They had special permission to ride across the Grand Coulee Dam, which fed them to the last long hill, which they flew down to the end of that portion of the race, changed into their running shoes, and either drank or poured the water they were handed over their heads as they took off for the final leg of the race, a 10 K run. (six point something miles)

The soulmate's and my favorite son (okay, only son) did all this in 3 hours and 35 minutes. Now this is nowhere in the top contenders' time, but I frankly can't even imagine. I tried to think if I have ever challenged myself to that extent and had to say. . .no. Not physically, at least. I walked a half marathon once in hot weather and that took me four hours. I strolled it. Much more my speed.

Susan's sweet baby boy catching his breath after crossing the Finish Line. He's already making plans for next year's race.

What sort of things do the people you know do that you simultaneously admire and find incomprehensible? Or if you're the adventurous type yourself, what challenges do you impose on yourself?