Keenan Clark Ironman Louisville 2010

My Daddy is an Ironman!!

Andre was super excited to learn that we were going on vacation to "tucky" (Kentucky) with Papoo (PawPaw).

He got his very own red cow bell to cheer Daddy on in his Ironman race!

Every pit-stop when we would get out of the car he would say, "Yay Tucky!" and we would say, "No. This isn't Kentucky yet..." He'd say, "Tucky? Are you?" ("Kentucky, Where are you?")










We finally got to Tucky and had a day to make our signs and get the cheering section ready to go.

We even had a streaker!! Just kidding. But Selah was ready to cheer with her enormous Ironman foam finger.

Nanny and Papoo where there to help get the Ironman party started! (and help mommy not to completely lose her mind on the trip. )









Finally, the big day was here! We hadn't seen much of Daddy since we were in "Tucky"because he'd been getting ready to race. He even slept in Papoo's room to ensure a good night of sleep. (Good idea dad. )

We loaded our signs up in the baby jogger and headed down to the river. Andre held on tight to his cow bell and we gave Selah the Ironman clapper hands. (She thought they were especially tasty.) Andre enjoyed being as loud as he could as we cheered Daddy on. Mommy saw him get out of the water but did she get a picture? No. Look, I was doing good to just be there- alright? :)








After the 10 second clip of Daddy, we powered back to the hotel room in the baby jogger, Mommy wishing she had sprung for the front swivel wheel.

Back at the room for diaper changes, snacks and naps.

5 hours later the Clarks emerged to once again try to catch of glimpse of Daddy as he suffered in the heat of the day.

Andre clapped as loud as he could but you could barely hear him in the deafening crowd.








So....we got out the trusty cowbell and Andre rang that thing as loud as his little two-year old hands could ring.

The sound of Selah slurping of the clapper hands went unnoticed.

But then....











We saw him!!! Looking mighty fine as he ran over the bridge. We kept looking for a red shirt, green hair, blue viser and black socks. (harder then one might think actually)

Daddy reached out to give Andre a high-five and just like that he was gone again. Off to run a marathon after swimming and biking. whew!














Andre thought that he had tagged him in so he took off!

Mom had to intervene and put him back in the dreaded jogger to fight through the swarms of people back through the streets of downtown Louisville in 95 degree heat. (Did I mention the stroller doesn't have a swivel wheel?)











Well there may not be alot...a few....ok there's only one picture of Keenan racing but at least we have his video of his finish! (above)

We were so proud of Keenan! Andre and Selah were both asleep in the room minutes after this picture was taken. (and Andre might actually be sleeping here.) It was a long day (for all of us):)

Keenan did it. HE IS AN IRONMAN!!!








It is a little known fact that actually the Ironman is a 4 part event: Swim, Bike, Run, Tattoo.

So off we went to cheer Daddy on in his 4th leg of the race. Ironically thats where he chose to get his Ironman tattoo-his leg.

This was Selah's first (AND LAST) trip to the tattoo parlor.










TA DA!

Not many people can sport THIS tattoo. But not many people can swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 and run 26.2.

I thought the tattoo would be about 1/24th of this size-but thats not how Keenan rolls. ;)











Well is was hard to explain to Selah that she couldn't have a tattoo when her Daddy and Mommy have one.

At least she went with something conservative:

The flaming-tribal-angel-wing. nice.














"Tucky" was fun, but the Clarks were glad to be home!

Back to our beautiful home and back to our normal activities- like playing at the park.

This was Selah's first time in a swing!












WEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!