Run, Run, Get Some (Pt II)

 
"What should we do this weekend?" is a recurring question in our house. It turns out that we are a family of runners.

In this family we do Disney. We watch everything Star Wars. We travel once in a while. However, what we are really good at is running. I have been running for over 35 years. Lisa has multiple marathons and a couple of Sprint Triathlons under her belt. TJ is an emerging distance running star. Also in a surprise turn, Grant is faster than anyone realized. We only hope that Sam gets her ankle fixed and starts running again!  

With TJ driving on I-40, this past weekend we went to Wilmington, NC for the Half Marathon and 5k races. With good running weather and positive attitudes we all lined up at our respective races and took off.  TJ blew the field away with a PR of 18:06 for the 5k. He finished third overall. Grant finished sixteenth overall and second in his age group. Not only was Grant fast, he was faster than his brother's 5k time when he was 12ish. Lisa set a strong time and finished second for her age group. I ran the Half Marathon a little slower than in the past. I came in fifth place for my age group.  All in all we won $80 in gift certificates, four Bundt cakes, and a growler of beer.  

This is who we are. Running can take you to some fun places. Every race we have been to is a supportive community event full of encouraging people; Disney, NYC, Nashville. Only the very elite runners compete against one another. Everyone else is merely running against their last race and hoping that there is free beer and good music at the finish line. When I look at the wall of our medals and the medals hanging in the kid's rooms I realize that we need to do this more. In a few weeks we will head back to Disney for the Toy Story Ten Miler. However, in the meantime we can sign up for more races as a family.  

Just one final note about this picture; my finish line tradition. Lately I have taken to charging up the crowd at the finish line to get them loud and excited. The crowd always makes the race more fun. As a runner I am truly appreciative of the people who come out to the side of the road to cheer, cowbell, and high-five runners - often complete strangers. A race without spectators is just a run. I like to give a little back to them at the finish line even though my kids roll their eyes at my antics.