The 5K

The runners: Phoenix, Shona, Mary, Brian, and Audie.
The cheerleader: Griffin.

Well, the day finally arrived, after one postponement due to a hurt knee, I finally ran the 5K I had set for a goal this year. It's been 9 years since I ran an organized race so I was a bit nervous. After all I am carrying scores more pounds than I was back then, and although I was not nervous about running in general, I was more worried about my pride. I just did not want to be last. Phoenix decided she was going to run the 1 mile run in conjunction with my 5k.

We woke up at 4:45 AM so we could get to Downtown Atlanta by 6:30. We had plans to meet my workout partner Audie and her friends Brian and Mary. Now those of you who know me well know I am never on time, so I had a very restless night worried I would oversleep, but I did good. When I woke Griffin up, he promptly went to his window and yelled out to me "But Mommy its still dark and I am still sleepy". Phoenix woke up ready and rearing, she slept in the clothes (all pink of course) she planned on running in so she just had to roll out of bed and put on her shoes.

We met Audie and Brian and Mary and waited for the race to start. The race organizers actually had a gym represented there and one of their aerobic instructors warmed us up, which was very cool. We lined up at the starting line and the gun popped and off we went. Now, I do all my training on a treadmill because I either work out in the morning before work at the gym, or more often then not during lunch. Now, let me tell you its much easier running on a treadmill, knowing your pace, having the fans blowing on you, etc, etc. I had a hard time finding a good pace. I did have a goal to run the entire 3.2 miles under a 15 minute average mile (mind you I run walk intervals right now). At every mile they had people with stop watches sitting there yelling out the times. At mile one I was a 14 minutes, at mile 2 I was at 29:44 minutes and at the end of the race I was at 46 minutes, which comes to a 14:37 minute mile, so I beat my goal and set a personal best, and I was not last (thank God). So that is out of the way. Now Audies bright idea is to run a half marathon in November, we started the training program two weeks ago.


Shona approaching the finish line.


Audie approaching the finish line.

Phoneix's fun run started after our race. I was worried about her getting upset if she did not "win" or if she had to walk a little bit. Let me tell you, nothing phases that little girl, she is not afraid of any challenge. She started really fast and got a pretty bad side stitch but she worked through it by walking a little bit. She finished strong too. She was so proud of herself, as were me and Chris. She told us all that she thought the 1 mile was too easy so she wants to run 3 miles with us next time.


The one mile fun run starting line.


For some reason she thinks she is in a fashions show for every picture.


Starting the race.


Finishing the race.


Finishing the race.


Shona, Audie and Phoenix.

AHH--SCHOOL STARTS

Well its hard to believe its been since Memorial Day since I have had a chance to post to this blog. Since memorial day we have had vacation, fourth of July, Chris's birthday, my mom stayed with us for 6 weeks, Phoenix has spent 2 weeks at summer camp, Griffin had a camp weekend with mommy and daddy while Phoenix was gone, and finally, yes finally school started. Man, even though we as parents seem to have to be a tad bit more responsible, like having to get up every day at 5:30 am every morning so that Phoenix does not miss her 6:45 am bus (no more sleeping in for the heck of it), its somewhat of a relief to be back on a very predictable, reliable schedule. Granted with the beginning of the school year comes after school activities, which makes it seem like we are gone every night of the week between church and the two kids activities, but at least we know what is expected and when. No more slacking.

Phoenix started second grade today. We are very fortunate that her first grade teacher looped up to second grade so she has the same teacher and the same class with two more additions who happened to be in her kindergarten class. Her teacher is awesome and Phoenix is truly blessed to have her. As usual Phoenix was ready and rearing to go at 6 Am. She carefully put together the outfit she planned on wearing today (right down to matching unmentionables) and carefully laid it out the night before. She decided to take her lunch and made sure mommy had it prepared the night before to her specifications and had her backpack carefully packed. She could not wait for the bus to get here so she could see Miss Regina (her bus driver who spoils her rotten). She was our predictable happy go lucky Miss Phoenix this morning.




Griffin on the other hand. Well he did pick his clothes out the night before and seemed excited then 5:45 am arrived and well, lets just say he is not a morning person. First he wanted his hair spiked like daddy's but then decided he hated it and threw a temper tantrum because of it. Then he decided he did not want to go to pre k quite yet. Well you get the picture. He was the polar opposite of his big sissy.

So mommy picked them up after school and the roles reversed. Go figure.

This weekend we will all be participating in a 5k as a family. Mommy and Phoenix decided to run it. Daddy and Griffin will walk it, and be there for Phoenix if she decides she cannot make the full 3 miles with mommy. So wish us all all luck.