Our friend Tom participated in the Topeka Tinman Triathalon today, and the Smith girls were there to cheer him on. We missed the swim, which started very early this morning, but we did see him from afar on his bike.
We stationed ourselves near the transition area, where the athletes ditched their bikes and started the run. Tom was definitely in the head of the pack of more than 150, and he took a few seconds to give Ava a high five as he passed by.
We spent the rest of our girls’ day out playing at the park, having brunch at Lulu’s Cafe, riding the train at the zoo and hitting the mall.
UPDATE: As we expected, Tom did very well yesterday! He finished fourth in his age group, and was only two minutes behind second place. He placed 34th overall. Way to go!
Smith Family Weblog 
Posted by Laura on June 20, 2009 at 3:03 pm
I think you and the girls had the better role in this triathalon, as fun as I’m sure it was for Tom. Love the sign!
Posted by Doug on June 20, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Great job, Tom!! Did he win?
Posted by Double L on June 20, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Great job, Tom! This must mean that you successfully fixed your bike.
Posted by Karyl on June 20, 2009 at 6:02 pm
I love the sign Ava is holding! What a fun day for all of you. Too bad Bryan had to work!
Posted by Rebecca's Mom on June 20, 2009 at 6:44 pm
I hope the local TV station was there. The cute little girl with her clever little sign surely made the 6 o’clock news!
How nice of Tom to take the time off his finish to give Ava a “High Five” which, no doubt, put her on “Cloud 9!” I would have loved to have seen the expression on her face!
Posted by Tom the Tinman on June 21, 2009 at 4:44 pm
Indeed the bike is back in one piece and yesterday was the first opportunity I had to race it. Thanks again to the Smith girls for their much-appreciated support (both at Lake Shawnee and getting to race, for which purpose Rebecca generously lent me her car). It was a wonderful day that was topped off by playing a special variation of speed Scrabble with B+R in which bonus kudos were awarded for the spelling of either Yeoman or any word from any song title of Steve Perry’s prodigious body of work. Hard to top that.
Posted by Mom Rutkoski on June 22, 2009 at 4:16 pm
Tom,
Great job! Love your cheerleader and her sign! It was great talking with you on Saturday. Jenn and Dad filled me in on news during food prep time. Corn bread was delicious. Thanks for the pics.
Love,
Mom
Posted by Eugene Rutkoski on June 22, 2009 at 5:00 pm
TOM,
Great cheering crowd. Great time.
Dad