Many were surprised when I stated about 3 weeks ago, I was going to attempt my first open swim triathlon. While I wasn’t fully trained to push for a certain time, I was training hard for 2 weeks on endurance. Andrew and I had been working out 3-4 days a week since we’ve been married and all I needed to do was make my workouts longer. I seriously have the MOST AWESOME husband (pardon my double positives) but he pushed me all the way and even did 2 run throughs with me!!! While I may have wanted to marry a pro athlete since a young girl, I certainly have the self-motivated, sincere, caring husband who wants a healthy lifestyle as much as I do. I’ve always dreamed of doing triathlons or sporting events with my husband, family, and getting my future kids involved with health and nutrition and I’ve got it!!! I can’t even express how proud I am of him for all that’s he’s done not only for me but even for himself. He says often, “I’m in better shape than I was in High School!”
Friday night, Andrew got us a hotel just to be closer to Collierville, TN – which by the way, is a beautiful part of TN!! It reminded us much of Versailles, KY. We loved just driving around to see all the Mansions and I mean mansions as in the biggest houses we’ve ever seen! We counted 6 air conditioned units around one of the homes and I thought one was a contemporary church! So we planned a weekend in Collierville. That night we ate at a family-owned, authentic Italian restaurant in the Town Square called, Pasta Italia…pricey, but SCRUMPTIOUS. The chef even came out and introduced himself!!! He didn’t speak much english but we had a great waitress who later gave us dessert liquor as a compliment! Bedtime was early for us that night since our Saturday was to start at 5am!
Race time was at 7am and we got there while it was still dark. Music was playing and they had Dunk ‘in Donuts and coffee for all the spectators. I loaded my station which was surrounded by hundreds of bikes. Two kids’ park next to me in pro gear – aero-dynamic helmets, shoes attached to the triathlete bikes, pro suit, and the whole she-bang! In fact, I had the only non-triathlete bike…but I didn’t care. I had a brand new Trek bike and it’s the brand of most triathlete bikes. I’m just doing this for fun and not showing off any skills ;-) To be honest, it’s part of goals I set for myself to stay in shape, healthy, and be a role model for others to do the same. If I don’t have any competition, then I don’t have a drive to push myself.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." ~Phil. 4:13...a favorite Bible verse since my high school sporting days that has never failed me!
After swimming ¼ a mile and ingesting some lake water, an 11-mile somewhat hilly bike ride, and 2 miles of running on a hiking trail, I finished before my 1hr 30 min goal…I finished at 1:20:28!!! Whoa-wee!! Andrew pointed out I got 3rd on the posted results…of course, I didn’t believe him. But he was right, then I thought well, it’s probably 3 out of 3. So that means we had to stay for the rewards which was good ‘cause they fed us a full buffet of Corky’s BBQ (the famous Memphis BBQ), coleslaw, corn, red potatoes, and watermelon! They called out 3rd in my division (ages 25-29) and my name was not mentioned, so I felt a little disappointed. BUT….they called out 2nd place and it was “Tiffany Dill!!!” I was the only one running and screaming to get my award and what do you know…it was a belt buckle with 2 shotguns on it (for Showman Sharp Shooter Triathlon). Haha!!
Andrea, our preggie sister-n-law, wanted to come watch but we didn’t want them to have to get up that early, plus she was having some contractions (that have been going on for weeks now). So they met up with us after the race for some walking, dining at Cheeburger Cheeburger, and a long car ride out in the middle of nowhere (we were going to show them the park and mansions). Well…we made it just shy of the neighborhood we wanted to show them and they had to stop. Andrea was in LABOR!!! I panicked and drove to the hospital as fast as we could through all the curvy, hilly, long roads. It took us about 45 min to get back into town. Andrea’s mom was following us and taking her time trying to distract her “Hey honey, look at the porch on that house” and she responded with wide eyes like, “get me outta this maze!” .
After nearly 10 hours of labor to find the baby stuck and emergency c-section...she had the most beautiful, handsome, healthy baby boy at 7.2 pounds...Thomas Christopher Dill!!
Baby Thomas Christopher's 1st Glamour Shots ;-)
After being up 22 hours on Saturday and getting 4 hours of sleep - although, it's nothing what mommy and daddy had to go through...Thomas Christopher's arrival rejuvenated us all :)
He was just too cute and already getting spoiled by Uncle Andrew and Aunt Tiffy!
Andrew and Chris were having so much fun playing puppet with him while sleeping...poor thing just doesn't know what's in store with Daddy and Uncle Andrew!!
Andrew just had to be the first to get him stuffed animals while in the hospital...so cute!
The proud parents!!! CONGRATS to Chris and Andrea!!!
Baby Thomas Christopher's 1st Glamour Shots ;-)
After being up 22 hours on Saturday and getting 4 hours of sleep - although, it's nothing what mommy and daddy had to go through...Thomas Christopher's arrival rejuvenated us all :)
He was just too cute and already getting spoiled by Uncle Andrew and Aunt Tiffy!
Andrew and Chris were having so much fun playing puppet with him while sleeping...poor thing just doesn't know what's in store with Daddy and Uncle Andrew!!
Andrew just had to be the first to get him stuffed animals while in the hospital...so cute!
The proud parents!!! CONGRATS to Chris and Andrea!!!
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