Kids' Run

Today was a first for our family - a very COOL first.

We ran a race together.  All seven of us!!

It was America's Kids' Run, for kids ages 5 - 18. 

Yes, some of us don't fit into that category, but we somehow managed to sneak in anyways.

The way the breakdown works, 5 - 6 year olds run 1/2 mile, 7 - 8 year old run 1 mile, and everyone else runs 2 miles.

We had Jacob and Lanie running the 2 miler.  They are experienced runners and had no trouble.  Jacob finished in third place with a time a bit over fifteen minutes.  Lanie's time was 18:10 - a personal record for her!!  James ran, not really to race, but to help Lanie out and try to pace her.  He stayed with her the whole time and cheered her on.  (And this is where I would go on to tell you about what a great kid he is, and how I'll never let him move out because what in the world would I do without him, blah, blah, blah, but I won't do that).

I signed Abby up for the 1 mile even though she was really too old for that category, because she had never run for distance and I expected she would have a hard time.  Which she did.  I think it was more mental than anything because the kid runs a lot more than that back and forth on the playground, and jumps on the trampoline for HOURS (no exaggeration) without getting tired.  But she was a trooper and kept at it, and it was actually kind of a nice thing to be doing together.  I love taking opportunities to build nice memories, and to reinforce that I am there to cheer her on and help her get through things. 

Mr. Josiah and Daddy ran the half mile together.  Or half ran, half walked.  I'm pretty impressed with him doing it and not running the wrong direction to head for the playground!! 

We all had a great time, and are so excited about more runs together through the years!!  Ms. Abby will be joining me and Lanie at the track a couple of times a week from now on.  I plan to have her run one lap at whatever pace, and then she can walk while Lanie and I finish our run.