Jenn was slated to head to London for work at the end of July, so we decided to plan a summer vacation to tie into her time there – so we did!  Not content with just work and our usual busy vacation plans, she managed to find a triathlon to take part in while there – the Virgin Active London Triathlon, boasting a reported 13,000ish participants in all the events over the course of two days (slightly bigger turnout than a Bermuda tri).  This go round she opted to do the sprint distance instead of the full.
Jenn’s triathlon day was the Saturday, so that was the first thing that the kids and I did after flying in from Bermuda.  We got to the flat to meet up with Grandma and Grandpa Boys, chilled out and got some lunch and then took the Tube for the first time over from the West side of London to the East side where the tri was taking place, at the Excel Center.

We hadn’t seen Jenn yet as she was working all morning and then had to be at the tri to set up, etc. a few hours before her 3:00pm start, so we decided rather than everyone rush around we would all just take it easy and would see her there!

With so many participants in the race over the weekend, it was all done in stages, as you would imagine.  Jenn was able to borrow a bike from a coworker in the London office, which worked out great.  You can see here how big the transition area is (this is a BIG building) and as well a ‘heat’ of swimmers all lining up for their turn to walk to the start line outside alongside the water.

While not exactly a picturesque setting, it was certainly an interesting place for a race as it was surrounded by old buildings (as in apparently disused factories) and shipping facilities. And of course there was that lovely brown-ish tinge to the water from the Thames river.  It was all good, however, as were still in the ‘honeymoon phase’ of just being in London for the first time!  The kids, Grandma & Grandpa and I managed to get there just as Jenn was starting her race – not that we could pick her out in the water in that crowd!

I managed to see Jenn zip by on the bike from afar from our high vantage point nearby (I yelled at the last minute and she said she heard me!), but that was the only time we saw her on the bike.  As Jenn hadn’t seen any of us in a week it was a very happy and joyful high-five and hug for the Roo with some big waves and all that for Josh and the rest of the family along a stretch of road where we could actually get to the front and the kids could see her!  We saw her a few more times during the run and then we gathered at her charity’s tent after the race for a proper reunion.

This charity I speak of was ‘Cure Rett‘, who had a great setup there.  The initial reason Jenn was running for the cause was to actually get into the triathlon (registration had closed by the time she wanted a spot, some charities just get a block of entry spots and had a few open ones left).  So after a few emails and some research, she had a spot with Cure Rett.  (Rett Syndrome is a genetic disease affecting young girls, which Jenn most closely related to, having Ryley, as compared to other charities with open spots).  Fully behind the effort, Jenn did some fundraising (£795 worth – thanks to friends and family!) beforehand, and as part of the deal they gave her a nice bright red t-shirt with her name on it to run in.  She said she loved the shirt as so many people could cheer for her as they knew her name!

All in all it was a great experience for her she says; a few technical difficulties aside she performed admirably and pulled off a 1:37:13, good for 16th of 99 women in her age group and 116th of 734 women who did the sprint triathlon in total.

Way to go, Jenn!  As always, we’re all very proud of you and were happy to be there in sunny London to cheer you on!