The Family That Trots Together

The family that trots together stays together.  Or, in our case, comes home with a free turkey.

Actually, Caroline and Craig trotted together; I ran a separate 10k race because I'm cool like that. 

I started my morning with a pre-race Sudafed.  I'm experiencing sinus issues that were really tame for the past few days, minus my froggy, raspy, smokes a pack a day, voice.  Last night, however, the sinus pressure started to rear its ugly head.  So now I have a headache AND I sound like Bart Simpson's two aunts, Patty and Selma.

Despite the sinus issues, we were all ready for a great race this morning.  Caroline especially.

Notice our Lindsay Lohan house arrest timing chip anklets.  For the record, I do not like this type of timing chip; either does my bloody, scraped up ankle.

Caroline was in excited race mode and was also surprisingly cooperative for the camera. 

The two races started at the same time and in the same direction, but veered off shortly after.  We both encountered the same steady, climbing hill at one point, but Craig said that Caroline was a trooper and stuck with it.  In the end, she ran a 27:37 5k, which is 2 minutes and 24 seconds faster than her first 5k time back in May.  Best of all, she won her age division and a free 14 lb Butterball turkey.  We're so proud of her!

My race went well for the first five miles.  It was a little tough with my sinus issues, but my legs felt pretty good.  Unfortunately at mile five after sailing down a huge hill and running by the glistening Potomac River, the 10k runners were faced with hill number two.  Except this wasn't just a hill; it was a mountain.  Mt. Demoralizer is what I will forever refer to it as.  Seriously, it was huge, painful and demoralizing.  I did something I've never done in a race or on a training run for that matter:  I walked.  I just didn't have enough gas to climb that hill.

Unfortunately for me, once I walk, it's hard to get my running legs back.  I got a little mad at myself for giving up, walked a little more, gave myself a quick pep talk and then took off running for the last 3/4 of a mile.  Last Wednesday I ran a practice 10k in 54:21; I hoped to match or best this time, but with that walking break (and Mt. Demoralizer), I knew that goal wasn't going to happen.   Even so, I ended up running a 56:02, which is still (but barely so) a sub 9 minute mile average.  I guess I shouldn't complain about that!

Caroline couldn't stop checking out her time.  I can't say that I blame her.

While we waited for the remaining participants to cross the finish line, we drank some Gatorade and I rehashed my account of Mt. Demoralizer.

and then we gathered around for the awards ceremony.

That little blond haired boy in the bottom right corner won his age division in the 10k.  He's 10 and ran it in 63 minutes.  His mom was so proud; she was just bawling when he went to grab his turkey prize.

I didn't cry, but I sure was beaming with pride when Caroline went to collect her prize.

Best of all, I don't need to buy a turkey for Thanksgiving now.   Yee haw!

Oh, and I also won a raffle prize:  a $15 gift card to Subway.

All in all, we had fun time.   It was a great way to spend the morning. 

Caroline did fabulously and Craig didn't make her cry, which thrills me beyond measure.  He's a tough coach!  But Caroline is an even tougher cookie.

We were supposed to visit with Craig's friend in Maryland this evening, but I'm feeling less than stellar right now.  Craig went, which is probably for the best; he'll have more fun without us there.    Besides, they don't have any children and Caroline would be bored to tears, I'm sure. 

I'm thinking a nap sounds mighty appealing right now.

Happy Saturday!