This past Sunday was my and Amanda’s first wedding anniversary, and we spent it at the Ironman 70.3 at Buffalo Springs Lake in Lubbock, Texas. To clarify, Amanda (she’s the one smiling, in the pink and blue) participated in the triathlon, and like any proud husband, I went for support…and to take photographs of the event! In fact, Amanda and her teammate, Lindsey Putman, won the female team sprint portion of the race! So, not a bad way to start an anniversary, I might say!

Again, like any proud husband, I thought I would post a few photographs of the event. Amanda participated in the swim and bike portions of the sprint, and I think she surprised herself. I couldn’t even make it to the first buoy in the swim if I wanted to! Of course, she’s no stranger to this kind of competition, completing an earlier triathlon and several marathons before we were married. She has staying power, and I suppose if she’s going to be married to a hard-headed traveling photographer, she ought to have it!

The Buffalo Springs Ironman qualifier race is actually one of the more popular races in the nation, and many of the pros appreciate the fact that it combines a hilly ride and run, which if you were to come to Lubbock, you would ask yourself, “Hills? Where?” Thanks to folks like Mike Greer, the race here is a gem of a competition for more than 1,500 competitors each year!

Every year sees some of the top athletes in the field compete at Buffalo Springs, and this year didn’t disappoint. Chris Lieto (pictured above), a U.S. Ironman Champion, and one of the top athletes in the business took home the men’s top spot, while Magali Tisseyre (below left) and Angela Naeth (below right) finished out the top two spots, respectively, for the female 70.3 race. It’s impressive to be where records are being broke, and world-class athletes compete alongside those just starting out!

Amanda said it best when she mentioned that the atmosphere around triathlons is one of the best in sports. You see everyone from teenagers to 70-year-olds competing, and everyone is encouraging the next to have a great race. Even the spectators are an integral part of the performance, providing vocal support to ALL the racers that pass by! It reminds me of high school cross country…ahh, the golden days, ha!

I was certainly impressed by the performance, from the sprinters and 70.3 triathletes, to the 70.3 aqua bikers and hand cyclers. You want to talk about determination. These guys and gals will make you feel like a pile of unfit bones. I can’t imagine doing the full 70.3 miles, water and land, by hand! Kudos to these folks for showing everyone up!

That was my first year anniversary, and I couldn’t imagine not being able to spend it with Amanda. As it would turn out, I got a few good photographs out of the day as well! I really am blessed to be with a extraordinarily driven, supporting, and loving individual! Thanks for letting me share this with all of you!