Mike's Mad Dash to Beat Cancer 5k

Jonny pushing Julia and Gabe (20:28), Melody (21:59), Grandma, Mom, Dad, Amber

This was our third year running this race at the AF Hospital. The course is a simple square, but it never seems too long. This year Grandmother was outside of her house cheering us on! I'm sure the kids loved that.

Jonny ran a super fast one, even though he's had an awful cold for the past two weeks. He came in third in his division and eighth overall. (298 runners in all, 10 year divisions.) I also came in third in my division and nineteenth overall. Grandma was second in hers, (Out of 6 60 and older women. She is 79. Wow.) Dad was second in his. And Mom was third in hers. Amber scored a raffle prize so we all came home winners! (See official results here.)

I knew I was running a pretty fast race when my first mile was 6:45. There was a girl running my pace, so I decided to try to keep up with her. As we ran I learned that Alexis, the speedy 10-year-old, is a fellow Manila Mustang. So we had a little to talk about! We ran together off and on until the last mile when she sped ahead and there was no catching her. But if it weren't for her, I don't know that I would've run my new PR. Jonny's cheering at the end also helped me to really sprint at the end. I usually don't have very much left by then, but when I saw that I could beat 22 minutes, I surprised myself by running quite fast through the finish line!

Hey, wait a second. I just realized Jonny set a new PR in this race too. This is his fastest 5k while pushing the kids to date. I guess he really didn't let a cold hold him back. Way to go, Love.

I've been looking at past races and noticing that my times are significantly faster this year- even when pushing the double stroller. I credit this to my half marathon training. Because I had worked up to running longer distances, I have tried to maintain some longer runs since the race. I run five days a week with the kids and do 3-4 miles most days and at least one 5-milers each week. I remember only running 2-2.5 daily miles with Julia a few years ago. So I guess it makes sense that my 5k times are faster. It feels good to set a new PR that is comparable to my Cross Country times. And Jonny just might get back under 19:00 one of these days...

Alexis, my Manila Mustang friend:

Beat Beethoven 5k

Jonny (19:08), Melody with Julia and Gabe (23:32), Dad, Amber, Cami, Drew, Julie, Mitton Family, Mike Baird

We did it! We all beat Beethoven. This is our third year running this race and it's still definitely one of our favorites. We love the music, the nice course, and the small crowd. Last year Rudi watched the kids so Jonny and I both ran solo. So I didn't quite remember how half the course is slightly uphill - something you definitely realize with a double stroller. But I had a goal to run this one a little faster than I thought I could. And I did! It wasn't easy, and I am even a little sore. Throughout the race there were two girls I thought I could catch up to. With that as my goal, I really picked up my pace at the last half mile, passed both girls, and kicked it into the finish line. It was quite exhilarating to run so fast with the kids. They may have even been a little surprised at our accelerated pace at the end! I placed third in Women 20-29 and fifth in women overall (out of 85 women). See the full results here.

I'm sorry I don't have Jonny's entire race story to record, but suffice it to say he came speeding in at third place in Men 20-29 and third in men overall (out of 66 men). Funny, he ran the race in the exact time he did last year. Now if he can just take a few seconds off he'll be under 19 minutes. Maybe next year, huh?

Lots of family and friends ran this one as well. It was so fun to see the Mittons at this race again. (Last year we were surprised to see them. And we had to much to talk about with Em's triplets being born that morning and all.) Todd, Mckay, and Abby ran while Allison, Alex, and their dog Molly cheered us all on. They were on the side of the road just as I started to really push myself. What great motivation! I love those Mittons.

Gabe loved the Mitton's dog Molly:

Mike's wife Candice and his twins came to cheer him on: Dad's first First Place
(So what if it was only out of two guys?!)

Julia took this picture of Daddy. I like it.