No pictures, Just memories.
Nathan took the Stroller with Zach and Aurora in it. Hailey Sierra and I headed over to the Starting line, the group was HUGE. we were at the back of the pack. before we knew it we were running!
We started kind of fast, and I stuck with the girls for quite a while. I was wheezing for the first 1/2 mile of the race, I took a drink and it eased up and disappeared. that was about the time the girls and I just paced ourselves and didn’t overdo it too much. but we jogged FAST and kept moving. even when it was time for a sip from our Water (Grape Propel) bottle we walked and kept moving. We did not veer towards the 2 water tables we did not need the stop and it seemed to put a lot of people behind us , so that was a good thing.
We made it to the 1 Mile Marker of the 3.1 Mile race. Sierra had complained of her neck hurting a couple times, but we were still doing well. Hailey would take a little walk and sprint ahead like a champion, so Sierra and I ran and caught up and kept the fast pace again.
We headed down a street where we could see who was in front of us. The people kept coming but mostly in single file running fast! We made it to the turn around point with the next water station, and headed back. that’s when we saw loads of people behind us then it got to groups of people, then the stroller pushers – We Saw Nathan pushing the babies and waved to them. We gave ourselves goals of people to pass and succeded a number of times. Sometimes we would hear a Father talking to his Son, “look your letting a Girl” beat you – (He was also letting a 30 year old – old woman beat him too)
Before we hit the mile 2 marker the girls got 3 sprinkler/hose soakings, and Hailey had forgotten to pee before the race so she HAD to go really bad at about 1 3/4 miles We walked a bit trying to figure out how we were going to fins a place to pee. we walked her thru it and started jogging again with a bit of encouragement I was able to get them to mile marker 2 without wet pants! and suddenly the feeling went away and we were booking again. Then after the 2 mile mark. Sierra said her legs felt like they were going to break. I was huffing and puffing and only spoke to encourage, offer water etc when I slowed down a bit. We made it up a hill, and passed a few people round the next few turns. I was impresses with How much spurt Hailey had in her when she wanted to kick in a sprint, But she would wear out pretty quick after it. So instead of being the “Tortoise” from the “Tortoise and the Hare” She was the “Hare”, that needed more breaks than if she were a tortoise keeping a steady pace. We kept it well after a bit and headed to the home stretch.
We tried a “Fast Finish”, but we all ended up in a little jog with Hailey falling behind very worn out and very pink in the face. We slowed down, I held Hailey’s hand for the last part the front of the school and around the bus zone(even though no one gets bussed in unless they are handicapped?) Anyways I held her hand and encouraged her and we all finished strong!
We did it in 37 minutes!!! that was 4 1/4 minutes off the time I sis on the treadmill 2 days before (practicing) My 1st time was 41:83.
I had fully expected Nathan to be there. I expected he would have taken the straight road to the school instead of turning in and out of the neighborhoods. However, he was NOT there. So we waited and had a cold water. visited with some people. I was surprised we weren’t all laying on the ground begging for death 
we were fine! Then at 51 minutes into the race we saw Nathan with the stroller coming down the sidewalk in front of the school. Only a few jogging strollers had come before him, so he was in the front of the “Stroller Brigade” and he had a DOUBLE Stroller with squeaky wheels and a heavy load! We ran over to him and helped him RUN that stroller thru the finish line, He was worn out and his feet were killing him (shoulda loosened the laces). HE DID IT! I was so proud of him for doing the WHOLE thing! and as fast as he did 51 minutes walking a big stroller with up-hills, turns, he was funny saying the only person he beat was an old grey haired grandma with a cane What a fun Dad! What a great evening.
I was too exhausted to think about cooking dinner. We went to the carnival at the school for a few minutes and decided not to spend the money on it, and just let the kids play on the playground for a bit. Got them cotton candy and limped to the car. Then Nathan took us all over to Arctic Circle for dinner and playing.
When I plan things for the family to do they don’t always work out well. Like the Free Food at KFC last week where they gave us vouchers to mail in our coupons and we ended up at BK frustrated that we even left the house. Those times happen far too often.
The times I look back and thing MAN that was Awesome, are things like This 5K with Nathan there and Letterboxing last summer with everyone, and making zucchini boats and going to the park, taking a kite to the park. It seems that when Nathan is in a good mood and happily goes out with the family its a million times better than when he dreads the outings. I have a HORRIBLE-RETARED memory, but those are the ones I keep. We need more positive outlook I guess. We need more family nights where we actually do fun things like those. Monday is just around the corner. Maybe a walk thru the park feeding the ducks and flying a kite is just what we need, dodge ball in the back yard, its’ always so much funner when Nathan gets into it. The Race was awesome, I’m so proud of everyone for doing it and FINISHING!
‘Cept Zach whom FELL asleep in the stroller! =)
sadly it took 41.38 minutes to run the 3.1 miles my HS time was around 30 minutes. I have a LONG way to go. I’d love to be a runner, but my body is not shaped for that – or for being pregnant. thye are both terribly painful and with a lot of practice I still don’t see it getting any better. So I will do this 5 K race and maybe the one next year, but you will see me roller blading, or riding a bike before I run a 1/2 marathon. 
