Last run

Running, for the time being, has come to an end. 

Kids had their last race a little over a week ago. 

This what what they call a "fun run." Not sure what kind of lunatic calls any run "fun" but you know runners are crazy like that. Fun run means basically anyone can run it, you don't have to have a physical form filled out, and it really doesn't count for anything.

This also coincided with the marathon that THE REALLY CRAZY runners were running that day, so there were loads of kids and people everywhere.

Parents could run along side their kids, so Paul told Hope they would run it together.

I kept asking Paul, "are you sure you want to do this?" He was like, IT'S A 2K GRETCHEN I THINK I CAN MANAGE.

I got my timer

And my place.

First kid had already run in, but I saw Pierce shortly after.

He was in a battle.

He was either going to end the race in second or third.

He didn't have quite enough to pass, and ended his last race in third place. THIRD! I was really impressed.

So Hope and running club. It's been a battle.

She was the one who decided she wanted to try running club, but it wasn't long after joining that she regretted that decision. There were tears at many races, and even some begging to not have to do it. We always said the same thing, Hope you never have to run again, but you must finish out the commitment.

She joyfully ran this race, because she knew it was the end.

I screamed her through that finish line.

 I knew she must have been feeling relief.

And I'd imagine Paul was feeling relief too, even it was "only a 2k."

Once it was over, with a pizza slice in hand, she told me she actually enjoyed it, SO WHO KNOWS. It's a definite love/hate thing for her. Later she even said she may continue with running, so I guess the high at the end makes up for all the misery.

Pierce on the other hand loves all things running. When he crosses that finish line and literally is almost in tears and looks like he might hurl, I'm always sure he will tell me he wants to quit the whole running gig. Never. He loves it. I would imagine we will be watching him run for years to come.

Until next season....

Why I love running

I am not a runner. 

But I love running. 

I love the people and community of runners, and once I share a story about this little girl I'm sure you will understand why. 

Pierce ran his last race for the fall season on Sunday.

As with all his races, there was plenty of time to kill.

Seems there is always a lot of standing around to accomplish before every race.

But the kids don't mind it, they just enjoy being together.

Can you spot P?

Front and center.

Always out the gate with a bang!

As soon as he's out of sight we scurry on over and wait to see his face.

His PAINED face.

Poor thing got a side stitch.

I'm not sure what causes them, but I think it has something to do with his breathing.

 But despite the pain he pushed through to the end.

And no side stitch will keep him from a piece of pizza!

His coach was great and I am so happy he decided to give running as a sport a try.

Because what I've learned about running is what a supportive sport it is.

You can always count on other runners and their families to cheer you through.

And this last race was no different.

We all lined up waiting for a special little girl to make her way through.

I stood by this little girl as she started out her race and I listened to her tell her daddy "I can't do this, this is hard." Her daddy firmly but sweetly told her, "you can do this, come on." The mom in me wanted to help her, but her dad knew better, because she did do it.  She did the entire race with her sweet daddy by her side.

At the end of the race her dad became emotional, and well, you know I did too...

It was one of the most powerful things I have ever witnessed.

Her dad stepped to the side and let her have her moment at the finish line, alone.

The crowd clapped, screamed, and cheered this little girl through.

And that is why I love running.

A little offspring update

I know of about eight certain folks who would like an update on some certain little ones. It's been pretty much the usual around here, with a few exciting things thrown in. 

Like, HAIR. 

Hope's hair specifically. 

Hope is all about wanting to let her hair grow, but the longer it gets, the stringier it gets. I went searching the internet and found this little inspiration. Time for a few layers. 

And oh my, it's adorable. And she absolutely ADORES it. It's just a sass-fest up in here with this hair.

Never fear, she doesn't just spend all her time flipping her hair around, she's also doing awesome in school.

As is Pierce.

And as pained as this child looks in this picture, this was a fantastic race for him.

Previous race Pierce had placed 38th, which we of course were pleased with, we just always tell him to try and beat his previous time.

This race he placed 18th out of hundred or more runners.

He even received a medal for placing in the top twenty. He was so proud.

I'm pretty proud too.

Of them both.

Best week ever

VH1 used to have this show called, Best Week Ever. Maybe they still do, I don't know? But the whole premise of the show was to talk about the previous weeks happenings and talk about who had the "best week ever." 

That show would pop in my mind every so often when I would think about Pierce's week and I could almost hear them announce: "And for that reason, Pierce you are having the BEST WEEK EVER." 

Immediately following Pierce's baptism, he was nominated by his classmates to be the Leader of the month. Before when he has received this award it was always his teachers decision, but now they let the kids in the class decide, I think he felt pretty proud about his classmates thinking he's a leader. 

He also had another race.

Did you know Cross Country is such a big thing? Well I sure didn't. Which I guess isn't all too surprising seeing as I'm not exactly an athletic gal, well unless you qualify dancing as a sport WHICH I TOTALLY DO, then yeah I'm athletic. Anyways, so there are like hundreds of people at these races, with tents set up and people just camping out waiting.

And that seems to be what we do a lot of, just hang out and wait.

Things of late have sort of revolved around her brother, but her time is coming.

She has jumprope tryouts soon and she is thinking she wants to get back into dance soon.

 Besides when we are sitting around guess who pouts and then gets treats?

LOOK AT THAT FACE. Spoiled I tell you.

So this race was in the crazy heat, which was UGH. We are all over the heat.

But heat can't stop these guys.

PUSH ON!

He said with the heat he really struggled this time, but he finished strong.

And to conclude his best week ever? He was able to wear an Under Armour shirt to church (thanks Neena!) you know things like that are important to a nine year old boy. :-) Great week!