twosmallcones

Three years! Whoa! Robyn and I wanted to do something memorable for our three year anniversary so we started brain storming. What about a triathlon?! Well, neither of us swim much these days, and organized events are so expensive. Plus it would be fun to do it ON our anniversary, so we made one up! The “3ATHLON” was born.

Robyn rinsing off after the first couple miles of our run. Most of the run was along Clear Creek which meanders through town across the street from our house.

Robyn leaving the Clear Creek Trail to cross the bridge, grab our climbing gear and jog up to the crag!

Of course we wanted to make it fun and attainable after work so carrying on with the theme of three’s we decided on a three mile run to a nearby crag, climb three pitches, and finish it off with a three mile bike ride! The night before we shuttled our bikes and climbing gear up to the crag and walked home. The stage was set!

The running leg of the 3ATHLON. We left from our house (flag) and did a loop through town before heading out along Clear Creek to the crag.

Climbing gear on, we jogged along the old canal to the “Canal Zone” crag to get in some pitches.

Getting ready to put up the first pitch.

Robyn roping up.

Robyn on the first of three climbs on our climbing leg of the 3ATHLON.

The Canal Zone is a super popular crag at the mouth of Clear Creek Canyon. It hosts a bunch of moderates on solid rock in a pleasant setting perfect for a quick burn after work. We chose three routes at the end of the crag we hadn’t done yet: Buckets of Rain (5.9), Levada (5.8+), and Lambada (5.10-). After the climbs we were feeling good, knowing the two hardest legs were out of the way. The only portion left was a relaxing bike ride through town that finished with a huge mile long downhill coast right to the front of Barrels and Bottles Brewery!

Climbing all done we ran down the hill and grabbed our bikes!

The bike leg of the 3ATHLON. A steep uphill to the northwest side of town was rewarded with a long downhill coast at dusk right the the front of Barrels and Bottles Brewery. Success!

Robyn riding down the Clear Creek Trail back to town.

Cruising down the street back to our house to drop some gear and continue on the bike ride.

The finish line! In exactly 3 hours! No joke! We rolled down the final leg of the 3ATHOLON into Barrels and Bottles Brewery for a celebration beer.

It’s an amazing feeling to have Robyn to share my life with. Every passing day, week and year I feel more and more grateful to have her in my life. With each new shared experience our love and common memories continue to grow. Here’s to next year and the QUADTHON!