A couple weeks ago my coach suggested a little change of pace and had me sign up for a few 5K runs to help get some more speed work into my routine. I said sure and was kind of excited about getting back to the roots of endurance sports. So he had me bike an hour and a half before hand, then run the course hard before the race and then race followed by a two mile cool down. It was a good race and was for a good cause "Tots for Trykes." Raising money for kids with handicaps that can not ride bikes. They have to special trykes made custom for them so they can ride outside and enjoy the outdoors. So this was to raise money to provide children with these special bikes.
After the race they had a "Kids Fun Run" and my two daughters love to run. They completed there first 1 mile fun run a couple of weeks ago and absolutely loved it. My son I felt was to small to do the 1 mile loop so we kept him in the cheering section. So after this race my kids were so excited to see that there was a fun run, and my son had a glimmer in his eye, that said, "just gimmie a chance dad." I bent down and asked him, "do want to try." He looked at me with a big smile and shook his head. I signed all three of them up and headed down to the start line to set them all up. I explained to Boo Boo that he was going to run until they told him to turn around and then he will head all the way back. He was licking his chops, he was ready to tear up the course and I thought look out here comes my 3 year old terror. The whistle blew and they were off. Boo Boo's sisters were off now, pros at this stuff since they have one under there belts, and left him in there dust. I was watching and saw his little legs motoring as fast they could move and he started to lag pretty far behind at about the 200 meter mark so I ran up to him to help him out. I get up to him and the glimmer was gone in his eye and was replaced with hot rosy cheeks and tears. I said whats wrong, he looks at me and said "They all left me." I said, "Its OK lets do this together." So we held hands and tackled the rest of the one mile course together. We did the run walk combo and cheered on all the other runners that passed us, and really cheered when his sisters came cruising by. We made it the turn around and headed back toward the finish and Boo Boo's spirits were turning up. When we rounded the final bend we could see the finish line and the crowd noise picked up which really motivated him so I slipped my hand from his and let him finish by himself. After I let go of his hand, his two sisters slipped in and ran next to him, yelling words of encouragement to him. All three crossed the finish line together, with a final time of 15:08. Isn't this what all this is for, moments like this. As a parent I could not have asked for more. I was the proudest father there on Saturday. My son completed his first mile run, I was apart of it, my daughters were there rooting him on, and he ended up really enjoying it. They were talking about it all the way home. I hope this was the first of many races we do together. GREAT JOB SMITTIES
4 Comments
What a great story, thanks for sharing! I have many fond memories of running races with my dad growing up. Though I also have many memories of him leaving me in the dust :) Now the tides have turned and I can give him a taste of his own medicine, and it's all in great fun. But, those early races are what got me hungry for competition now. Give your kids a high five for me!
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Chrissy
4/17/2012 04:08:40 am
What a great story, Kenrick! And what a great day for the Smiths! Thanks for sharing. The mental picture made me smile from ear to ear! Keep training hard and good luck!
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John
5/8/2012 02:35:51 am
Priceless kenrick! I know exactly how you must have felt watching your kids, money can't buy that. Thanks for sharing!
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Brendan
5/17/2012 12:43:29 pm
Kenrick, this put a little lump in my throat. Really nice story and so cute that the girls were so supportive!! You have a wonderful family.
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