Run Forest Run!

Labor Day weekend was wonderful! Lots of sisters from the best ward ever planned on running the 5k for 'Run for a Child'. We've been training (with varying degrees of intensity) for this for a few months. To be honest, I had only worked up to 2 miles the weekend before. It should be said, however, that without Mark I would still be quitting at the stop sign where the deer family lives. (Think I'm joking?) I've got proof:

The close up:

Remember! Turn right at the fauna!!


Once Mark got involved, I started stepping it up big time. Who wants the man they love to think they're a wimp? The Friday before the race I finally did a 5k around my neighborhood. It wasn't to bad! Sunday night I was feeling a bit anxious. I don't really know why, I had no intention of trying to win anything. I just wanted to do the whole thing without stopping. The stars did not align. Laney felt it necessary to nurse at least every hour and Daphne (our dog, for now) kept barking and barking and barking. We've discussed shock therapy.

Devil dog
It was not a restful night. Neverthless, Monday morn arrived and we congregated at Pinnacle Promenade. Carin Christensen organized this whole effort and made matching 'Sole Sister' shirts for everyone.


I started the race feeling pretty perky and I thought I was trucking along okay. About 2.5 miles into it, I was thinking that possibly we had miscalculated the 5k around our neighborhood. I'm just sayin...one of us was way off. I'm guessing it was me. As we entered the mall area, I kept thinking "okay, the end is just around this corner. I'm good! I can do this!" Not true! We kept weaving around the shops. I was thinking how embarrassing it would be to have the ambulance come a get me in front of Build a Bear. I knew Mark was waiting at the finish line, so I just kept moving. Here I am almost to the finish line with that 'I'm in pain' runner's face.

I'd also like to say... before we started this blog, Mark ran his first 5k and got 2nd place in his age group! He's a maniac. His second 5k he got first place! I think he's so foxy in his running clothes. I'd also like to give a shout out to Joel Rownak for coming over to sit in our dark house so we could run together after the kids went to sleep. You are a true friend...for this you will receive a lifetime supply of cucumbers and green onions (when they're in season, of course). Oh, not to mention fabulous blessings from heaven.

Mark...foxy.