Piggyback

Last weekend we signed the whole family up to run a 5k (well not Jackson --although he was with us - just not running). Sam and I have done them but the girls have never run them except for running the last leg with me and running thru the finish line with me. So this was a big deal. They were SOOO excited about it. We got them some new running shoes and picked out their little outfits and set them out the night before. I kept trying to prep them by telling them to take it slow. I told them that they would want to run really fast at the beginning but if they did that it would wear their little bodies out.

Well the race started -- and all my tips flew out the window. There was no jogging for Gwen -- it was either all out sprinting or nothing. Addie did a better job at pacing herself -- but she still was pushing herself pretty hard. They did awesome for the first mile -- AND in that first mile there was a HUGE hill that lasted forever! So just with that I was extremely proud of them.

A little after that 1st mile Gwen was really struggling. She said her legs and feet were hurting so bad. So I threw her on my back and we walked. Sam pushed Jackson in the stroller and I had Gwen on my back -- but my little Addie stuck it out and finished the whole thing without ever being carried or stopping. Great Job to Addie. And great job to Gwenny too -- I really am proud of what her little body did do. One mile for a little 4 year old is a long way to go -- especially while running your heart out.

** Funny side story: As we ran there was a little over weight kid -- he was probably 10 or 11. Well I guess he must have been very competitive because anytime my kids would come close to him -- he would block their way. The girls got pretty frustrated with this. So Sam and I helped veer them around him and Sam even teased him by blocking him back. This went on for a long time. It was funny. But the chubby kid won out in the end since I ended up carrying Gwen and there were a few stops to adjust clothing -- he finished before us. But he was there to give each of us a High 5 at the finish line. It was cute. :)

Pre-race excitement........................

stopped to pose for a family picture.............
if you click to enlarge this pic - you can see Gwenny on my back :) ..............
Addie running thru the Finish!! (you can click to enlarge to see the chubby boy reaching out to High 5)...................
Gwenny got off my back to run it in ( again notice the boy giving 5) ...........
After the race they provided us with a pancake breakfast. The kids each had 4 and Sam had 5!! guess they worked up an appetite................