The Son Runs a Race

What an exciting day! We have a guest blogger today! The Husband has agreed to tell the story of The Son running the untimed 1 Mile "Fun Run" on Saturday. I'll add the appropriate photos...

After watching Citymomma/Countrymomma leave with the pack of other 5K timed runners and then the 5K untimed runners depart, The Son and I got into to position and waited for the official announcement to start the mile run. (Incidentally, both CCMomma and I predicted an early exit from the run by The Son with the standard, "I'm tired, please carry me on your shoulders Daddy!" Note the plaintive whine that's implied.) While waiting for the official announcement to run, The Son tried various starting poses to best facilitate a quick start.



Someone with a clipboard and whistle -- official race-starting equipment -- directed everybody to turn around and run down the hill in the opposite direction of all the other runners. Before I knew it, the Son was off down the hill running full clip like the god Mercury after three espressos. I had to quickly speed down the hill after him. At the bottom of the hill, the runners were directed into the woods where various race supporters had gathered along the stone gravel path, cheering on the milers. The Son soaked in the adoration of the applauding onlookers and acknowledged their praise with a big smile and a thumbs up. If a bigger kid attempted to pass The Son, he would grit his teeth and run harder. (I'm assuming the "gritting of teeth" since for the most part my view was of his backside leading away from me.)


He stopped occasionally to soak in the outdoors and to allow me to catch up. At one point, he stopped in mid-stride to pick a dandelion to give to a Mom who was ambling along with her daughter. She thanked him with a smile and, "Aren't you sweet." (Even in the midst of heated competition, he's still a charmer.) The Son jogged along and rounded the final turn toward the Finish line with me trailing (and thanking God that it was almost over). The final stretch toward the finish line reminded me of the marathoners entering the the stadium with the throngs of people cheering the olympians to the end. (I was hoping that I didn't look like that "agony of defeat" runner stumbling and drooling toward the Finish line.) Meanwhile, the Son looking as refreshed as when he started the race, ran on ahead of me crossing the Finish line with much zeal in under 12 minutes. I followed him by thirty seconds. As we walked to the resting area to get a cup of water and to catch our breath, The Son looked up at me and asked, "Do I look thinner?" "Yeah, I guess you do," I replied, thinking that CCMomma and The Husband had utterly failed in their predictions of The Son's running prowess.



So, there you have it folks! The Son is a runner too. Who knew? It was funny that he woke up the next day and while rubbing his little thighs says, "Momma, when I bend my legs and do this, it hurts right here." I told him that I had just complained of the same thing and that it was from good exercise. He was very proud. We are proud of him and love that we can add another sport to his growing repertoire. He's growing up so fast... Thank you sweet Husband for writing this for me. I love to pawn my "work" off on you. really appreciate it since I wasn't there and wouldn't have been able to do this story justice.

Have a great Tuesday everyone. It's an exciting day for me, I am heading over to The Sister's house and cooking dinner for them AND meeting my new niece for the first time! Hooray!