Turkey Races

This week was a big running week for our family.  James & Andrew did their second youth one mile race on Thanksgiving morning.  It was called the Fox and the Turkey Race.  The previous race they participated in only included 12 kids total.  The race this time was over 300 kids under the age of 12.  There were 90 kids (boys and girls) in their age category of 7 and under.  Many of them finished in under 8 minutes.  Seriously Amazing!

The boys had a great time.  Andrew definitely has more of a natural push when he runs (at least right now).  James looked like he was just out for a leisurely stroll so its no surprise that he finished after Andrew.  That being said, they both had a blast and that's really all that matters.  They both had smiles on their faces when they took off and when they returned to the finish line.  In a funny note, they started out together, but got split up from each other within thirty seconds because it was so crowded.  I think if they had been able to stick together, they would have finished much closer together in their times.

Here are a few pictures I managed to get.

Playing it cool before the race begins.

The start line.  You can't see the boys at all as there are over 300 kids and they are in the middle of the crowd.

The Fox and the Turkey were there.

Andrew coming down the homestretch.

James finishing.

Got their finisher's ribbons and a quick congrats from the Turkey.

Then on Saturday, I got to do a Turkey Trot Half Marathon with my dear friend Jaime.  It was her very first half marathon and we've been running together lots this summer and fall, so it was fun to share in it with her.

This was taken right when we arrived and before we were totally frozen.

We nearly froze to death before the race started as it was 25 degrees at start time.  We had running tights, 3 layers on top, gloves and ear bands to keep us warm during the run.  Before the gun went off, we stayed warm with some lovely fleeces that we left next to a garbage can when it was time to start running.  Our feet and hands were numb for two miles, but then it was fine.  Neither of us wore music and instead we spent the whole time chatting, which in my opinion makes the miles tick by much faster.

We did also have some pretty awesome little fans who cheered us on at the 10 mile mark.  Apparently, they also really enjoyed cheering the other runners on who were before and after us.  If you give them a high-five, they will cheer for you.

My superfan

I have no idea who that guy is, but those are my three kiddos with their superhero gloves out cheering on the runners.

All my race pictures are this same bent down pose giving my kids high-fives.  Its not pretty but it is what it is.  I'm kinda annoyed at how cute my friend Jaime looks in the back.  You shouldn't be that cute when you're running.

Ready for high-fives

Bundled up against the cold.

Then our fan base switched to the other side of the path and waited for us to come back.  It was 12.5 miles when we passed them the second time. 

Our good friend Chris Grigson getting ready to give his daughter (in purple) a high five.

Smiles on our faces as we see our men ahead cheering us on.

We finished under her time goal and did the race with basically no walking (just two very short breaks while we got down some chocolate energy gels).  I'm super impressed with Jaime's first time out.  I'm amazed by her ability to squeeze all the training into her schedule (she works two days a week, volunteers at church, bakes amazing treats, and is a great mom to her kids).  And the last two weeks of training were during a major remodel of her kitchen which turns life upside down for a family.  So many congratulations to her for an awesome job done!  I'm gonna give her a full week before I start talking about spring races with her.

Here we are about fifty yards from crossing the finish line.  Yay! 

Here we are after we finished, caught our breath and got our medals!

Me and my adoring fans.  Aaron decided he should be held by mom even though she just finished a long run.

Clearly the littlest fan is not impressed with my running.