Run to Read

Ever since Jon and I started training for the Chicago marathon, our boys have really gotten into running.  When we get back from our runs, they always ask us how far we went, how the run went and which one of us ran faster?  I think its pretty cute.  They are embracing our hobby and the idea that it takes months of training to prepare (what a great life lesson!)

A few weeks ago when I was talking to the boys about the future, I said something about how they would grow up and leave us and it would just be Jon and I in the house.  Andrew informed me that it wouldn't be empty because his kids would be there when he needed us to babysit.  James chimed in that we'd be babysitting his children while he and his wife trained for a marathon.  Ha ha!  I love it!  I'll be honest, a big part of my motivation to run is to set a good example for my kids, so I love that they are getting so into our training.

In the past few years, we've had the boys participate in several toddler dashes and kid races. 

This is from the twins' first race back in April 2008, they were only 21 months old.

 They did a 1/2 mile race back in June and have been begging to do another one, especially Andrew.  I think he was a little disappointed by how short today's race was.  Afterwards, he asked if we could find a 1 mile race for him to do sometime in the next year.  Maybe we have a cross country athlete in the making?

Aaron decided that he should stand in the middle and put his arms around his big brothers all on his own.

Today our school district had a "Run to Read" 5k and kid races.  So we signed the boys up.  On our walk to the start line, we ran into James' teacher, Miss Grady.  He was so excited to see her.

A few minutes later, we also ran into our school's principal, Mrs. Stochl, who was there with her son.  The boys were shocked that she recognized them.

Before the race, a few gym teachers had the kids do stretches and jumping jacks to warm up.  I got a few pictures of it.  Aaron took this part very seriously and did a really good job (he's on the far right int he black hoodie).

Aaron went first for the 100 yard dash which was for 1st graders and younger.  I thought they'd release all the kids at once, but they were really smart and did separate heats for the different age and gender groups.  Here is a shot of the 4 year old boys' heat. 

You can't even see Aaron, just a touch of his head peeking out to the left of the boy in the red hoodie.

Jon took Aaron to the start line and I was waiting for him at the finish.  I'm not sure what went wrong, but by the time he got to me (halfway through), he was crying.  I'm not sure if he was confused about the start or sad that he wasn't running with his brothers.  At any rate, I hopped in and helped him finish, so I have no pictures of him running.  At the end, he received his medal and I guess that made whatever was wrong all better.

Next up was the 400 yard dash which was for 4th graders and younger.  The twins wanted to run this one and were probably the youngest kids out there.  Here's Andrew (who would have been faster if he hadn't had to stop briefly to hike up his pants that were falling down).

Andrew is focused.

And here's James bringing up the rear.  He told me several times that he wasn't the last as there was at least one person that finished behind him.

Here are all three post-race with their medals.

And here is a quick shot of me with the boys before we loaded them into the car so we could pass them off to Grandma & Grandpa and go do our 15 mile run for the day.

And a quick one of a bundled up K who was a sweetheart during all of the above chaos.

We woke this guy up, dressed him in a hurry and strapped him into the stroller for a chilly 30 minutes outside when he didn't really understand or see what was going on.  I promise it will get more fun Caleb when you can participate too (maybe in another year or so).