In 2010 Bailey came home from school excited that she had run a 8:10 minute mile. I was pretty impressed seeing as I've never been able to run that fast. She came home a few weeks later even more excited that she had run a 7:40 minute mile. At that point we thought it would be fun to enter her in the Swiss Days 5k run. She did well. She took second and we were thrilled. However, we wanted to see what she could do if she actually ran a little before trying a race. Caleb and Easton wanted to try it as well. We didn't think Easton was quite ready for a 5k but signed Caleb, Bailey and Mat up for a 5k in January of 2011. Easton ran the mile for that race and surprised us with a time of 8:09. The kids were excited with how well they each did. Bailey noticed that there was a half marathon going on at the same time as the 5k and asked if she could run the half next time. That's when the gears started turning...
It had been a rough morning getting the kids wanting to actually race and truthfully they had only run once or twice with Mat before it. They loved it though and wanted to run more. Mat and I asked them if it really was something they would like to pursue and they said yes. It was with some hesitation I will admit. That's when we initiated a challenge for the kids. They each needed to run one race each month for a year and work up to a long distance and they would receive and ipod or something comparable in value. The minimum they could run was a 5k. We went home and looked up local races in the internet and found that they would easily be able to participate in a race of some sort each month.
Easton backed out pretty quick. He wanted the reward but did NOT want to keep running. We said ok. He continued to run a few 5k and mile races throughout the year but only if he asked to participate as well. Bailey and Caleb both completed their goals. With Bailey completing (and taking first in the 14 and under divisions) two half marathons and Caleb EASLIY finishing a 10k.
Races our family has completed this year include:
St. George 5k in January
Race for Jace 5K & Dogtown 9k in February
Run for Kids 5k in March
Spectrum 10k & SHAC Tri in April
Midnight 5k in May
Mud run & Summer games 5k in June
Bryce Canyon half marathon and 5k in July
Pine Valley 15 miler and 5K in August
Swiss Days 5k in September
St. George marathon & Save a sister 5k, 10k, and mile in October
Snow Canyon half marathon, Turkey Tri and Lava Ridge geckathon in November
We took the month of December off since the only races we could find were during the weekend that we would be on our cruise. Plus, the kids had completed more than one each month so we figured it was ok ;). Placing first or top three in almost every race completed I was admittedly proud of my little gazelles. What made my heart soar was the early mornings during the summer where Bailey met up with the high school cross country team at 6:00am to train or the many hours each kid spent with their dad training at nights. It was a big commitment by everyone. Everyone met and exceeded their goals. I can't believe the kids that I have been blessed with. Yes, there were plenty of arguments about running and there were certainly "off" race days. They pressed on. I wish running came as naturally to me as to my kids but they still worked their tails off training and deserve every medal hanging in their rooms. Most of all I hope they continue with running. As much as I LOVE playing soccer I haven't since college. Running is plain and simple something they can always have. The memory of running beside their dad I can only imagine will be a highlight.
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