Running Gives You Wings

I am now in the final stretch of half-marathon number two with only 19 days left to train– Yikes!

This training is going much better than the last time around.   I stuck to my decision to train more outside and I think that has helped with distance and stamina.  Running in the wind on different terrains definitely helps you prepare for race day.  I even had a chance to train in the rain last week.  Like any typical Florida day, it went from sunny to cloudy in a matter of minutes.  I found myself a few miles away from home and then suddenly it was pouring.   Thankfully my hair was already a curly otherwise, Houston, there would have been a huge problemo.

I also ran into a huge snake once and almost had a heart attack.  Thankfully,  he was already dead.

I am now running nine miles for my long runs and will run ten miles this weekend.  I am especially motivated since I have decided to run for a reason and help raise money for  Liam’s Land Organization (LLO).  It feels good to run for a purpose.  Though I usually train alone for my race, the last few weeks I had some new running buddies.  My kids.  They’ve been  “training” for their first race.  A one mile zombie chase hosted by a local radio station.  The race was for kids only and included zombie chasing adults along the route.  While I worked on increasing my stamina for my six, seven, and eight mile runs, my six year old practiced running to the corner and back.  My five year ran and did P90x with his dad.  Yes, he’s the most competitive of the three and was determined to win.

Meanwhile, my oldest worked out a strategy on how to outrun the zombies (zigzags and speed).  He strategy also consisted of trying to convince us that this was the perfect excuse occasion for us to buy him a new pair of running shoes.  (Umm, no.) 

We arrived early on race day to pick up their race day shirts and running bibs.  There were also fun family activities for the family;  music, food, games, and more. Not to mention zombies and more zombies.

Picking up our running bibs.

 

Quick picture with a zombie.

Finally, it was time for the nearly 900 runners to line up at the start line and I wiggled my way in with the kids.  I didn’t plan on leaving the little kids alone among 900 kids so I went dressed ready to run.  When the horn went off, the mad dash began.  I thought I was going to just stroll along the kids but of course, I was wrong.  I  don’t know if it was race day adrenaline or all of their hard work, but my kids were sprinting and decided to do so the entire time.

About half a mile in my youngest realized he wasn’t going to win the race which made for one unhappy runner.

Despite the little snafu, we arrived at the finish line with red faces and sweaty foreheads and picked up their first race medals. Gold medals with funny looking zombies.  We also picked up some Puma inflatable wings that turned out to be a big hit for my five year old.

The kids were so proud of themselves they wore their medals all weekend long.  It was great to see them stick to their training and commitment to run!

 

Running gives you wings!

Intrested in helping to give another child wings? See how you can help me raise money for Liam’s Land Organization (LLO) – a 501c3 non-profit foundation that gives hope to thousands of individuals with lymphatic malformation (LM) around the world. Check out the details here.  Thank you so much for your support!