The day dawned dark, gloomy, and frigid. Typical it seemed . . .but not necessarily cause for joy and excitement! As we loaded ourselves and our baskets of winter paraphernalia and blankets, in the predawn light, we wondered again, just why we do these things!!
Because there just is something fun about it!
It was a family affair this year - we'd all do a tad bit of running.
Karter was not a happy dude right from the start. I'd like to think the cold -feels like minus five degrees celsius had a lot to do with it.
We picked up all our running bibs, shirts etc. etc.
Karter is still not excited.
As we did these pictures, somewhere in the background we heard the microphone telling all 1km participants to follow him. But we knew what we were doing. We did it last year after all.
As we did these pictures, somewhere in the background we heard the microphone telling all 1km participants to follow him. But we knew what we were doing. We did it last year after all.
As I walked towards what I thought was the start line, I quickly realized they had changed things. So now to find out where we were supposed to be!
Needless to say, we missed the start of the race. Everyone was off and running by the time we arrived.
I sent Kylie on ahead and Karter and I began our trudge.
Karter pretty much refused to run the whole time. So between starting dead last, me carrying him most of the way, his pins that kept popping open threatening to poke us both, and him throwing off his hat and mitts . . . I was doing my very best not to come in last place. It was tough. But I think we succeeded - we may have been third or fourth last, but I"m pretty sure there were at least two more set of mom/toddlers behind me.
Good thing they don't time you and it's all about the fun!
Then it was Kade's turn - 5km!
He did amazing - beating his time from last year by quite a bit. He ran the 5k in 22 minutes and 32 seconds coming in 56th out of 919 runners!
He was happy. We were all impressed!
Then Jonathan and Kevin got ready to go for the 10k. And the rest of us tried to remember what warmth felt like.
They both ran a good race and neither looked especially winded at any given time.
The race is a double loop so we spectators can see them pass by 4 different times if we are in the right place. Jonathan was even able to give us a wave this year! (last year I think he was just trying to breathe at this point!!)
Jonathan ran a personal best finishing 10th out of 503 runners!!! with a time of 40 minutes and 30 seconds. Proud:)
And Kevin was significantly slower this year than last year, but still ran well and finished 33rd out of 503 and second in his age category! (time of 46 minutes and 10 seconds)
He was really giving it at the end here trying to pass this other runner - and he did!
Warming up after the last race in the tent with some soup and fruit!
Jonathan and Kevin both came in second place in their age categories and got an extra medal to show for it!
Kylie with her medal.
It was a good day. In hindsight, we should have left Karter behind. It was just too cold even with all the layers and blankets.. As we watched the snow flurries fly off the lake while we watched the races, I felt really bad for him. But it is all quickly forgotten and the day brings a sense of accomplishment for these runners of mine. I think EduDeo raised a great amount of money too, so we are thankful for that too.
Thanks Denise! Your family ran very well! I tried to find you guys, but there was way to many people there.
ReplyDeleteWay to go guys! That is an awesome thing to do together! I didn't know you were running again this year.
ReplyDeleteChris.
Wow way to go Van Dyk family! What a fun thing to do as a family. Next year let Karter have a playdate with Dennis that day and baby can come to as long as he/she takes a bottle ;)
ReplyDelete