Eagle Mountain North Stake 5k and 1k

Jonny (19:36), Melody (21:29), Juila, Gabe

This race was part of our Stake Family Fun Day. We left the kids with a neighbor while we ran, then picked them up in time for the 1k. Julia ran/walked that with Jonny while Gabe and I ran/walked a shorter version!

The local HS cross country team joined us for this race, so a couple of those kids beat Jonny, as well as two super fast guys. I was first in women, followed closely by two CC girls. My time is comparable to my HS running times, so that makes sense that I might compete with those teenagers! Anyway, I ran pretty hard to keep my first place position. At one point I was about to pass a teenage boy. He said, "There's no way..." and sped up to keep ahead of me. I laughed out loud.

The race was scored like a CC meet, and our ward dominated! One of our top 5 runners was 9-year-old Mason. He came in only a minute after me. Amazing. It was fun to run with people from our neighborhood and run fast on the roads where I usually don't go my race pace. 

Julia and I had fun at the fair festivities later that day while Gabe napped and Daddy worked on the basement.

Alpine Days 5k

Jonny (20:14), Melody with Julia and Gabe (23:18), Dad, Mom, Cami, Jake, Drew, Julie (It should be noted that this course is actually 3.15 miles.)

This is actually the first race this summer in which I pushed the kids. I haven't been running with them much at all. With them being so big and Gabe not loving to be stuck in the stroller, I've been opting to run early and alone before Jonny leaves for work. (Plus, I did my half marathon training without them, of course. I think that's when I started waking up early to run and it stuck.) But I decided to run this one together for a kind of final hurrah. It was, after all, the first race I pushed Julia in four years ago. So it seemed fitting that it should be the last. Naturally I had a goal to beat my current loop course PR with the kids, 24:55. (Alpine Days last year.) All week I was wondering if I could do that. I decided I'd push it my hardest but not be disappointed if I came in after 25. But I was pretty hopeful of setting a new and final record with my buddies.

Okay, enough background, here is what happened. I did push myself beyond what I thought I could do and we did set a new record. I was very pleased when I read the clock as we came around the corner. It was certainly not an easy race, with the heavy kids and hills. I had to continually remind myself to run faster, as I don't run with a watch so have no concept of my pace. But Julia really cheered me on. And Gabe was a good sport. We did it! And pretty fast too, coming in first in women 25-29 and fourth in women overall. 

Jonny ran a great one as usual, placing second in men 25-29. Dad, Mom, Cami, and Drew placed as well. We love these small town races!

Now on to the Toddler Trot. It was Gabe's first race. He and Jonny walked/ran it together quite behind Julia and me. It was so funny to see Gabe start running as we cheered him on at the end, then straight to me instead of the finish line! As for Julia, she's been looking forward to "the lollipop race" ever since last year. She was super excited to run it, but only a few second into told me she was tired and ready to stop. I cheered her on and she picked up her spirits and her feet. She really sprinted it in at the end when her family members were cheering for her. Hey, she cut off a minute and a half from her time last year! And yes, she was awarded a ribbon and a lollipop. Phew.

 Gabe didn't like the big number on his shirt. Check out his frustrated faces as he tries to take it off.

 Stretching:

 Champions!

I will probably still push the kids once in a while for my workouts, but they are really just growing too big for our team running. I have loved it though. I will miss running with my babies. Surely I will run with babies who join us in the future. But it is strange and a little sad to realize my Julia is in fact a "big girl," as she reminds me every day. And Gabe, well, he's been big since birth. He won't be too sad to see our strolling days come to an end. But I will miss his silliness. And how he always points out the "astru-tion!" (construction) I love you, my little friends!