I've missed my calling as an "event's cheerleader".  No, not the kind of cheerleader who is tan, has amazing hair and can do back flips, but more of a motivational cheerleader for people out challenging themselves on the weekend.

This all came about as Mrs. Speedy (note:  I am adding this against my will....she is Mrs. Speedy because of how fast her hubby is on the course....aka Mr. Speedy...see below....she is modest and doesn't want anyone to think she might be a good competitor on her own so I needed to add this disclaimer)  and I decided to head out and cheer for our friends (and her hubby, Mr. Speedy...see above) participating in the Boulder Peak Triathlon.  This is an Olympic distance event, twice as long as a sprint, and the bike route requires riders to navigate a grueling hill on Old Stage Road.  If you are in the area you know of this hill. 

So we donned our 1970's shorts, matching tube socks, pom-pom's and cow bells and headed to the hill.  After stopping to write encouraging words and names in chalk in the middle of the road we assumed our positions.

 Lots of people were out on the hill to await the riders.  We met the Devil....just in from an Iron Man competition in Idaho.

But most of all we got to encourage our friends....Mr. Speedy, Bob, Kat, Madeline, Alex, Dawn, Dr. McIronman, Karl and Tanya as they rode up the hill -  I got my interval training in as I ran along beside them.  Believe it or not I could actually run faster than most people were pedaling up this nasty climb.

Here's a shot of Alex (on the right, white jersey) and Tanya (black outfit) looking strong.  Just a mere coincidence that they were at the same exact spot on the hill where we were cheering.

One of the final cool things (cool is relative....it was pushing 100 degrees yesterday) was the chance to see the pro - elite racers at the finish.  The pros go off later in the morning....after most other athletes are in.  We got the pleasure of watching some of the best Olympic Distance athletes race...including a number who are headed for Beijing, including Boulder's own Matt Reed!  GO MATT!  GO USA!!