Racing Wrapped Up!

Honey enjoyed the short season of cross country running! Well, most of the time anyway. In one race she got a stitch part way through and had to walk the rest as everyone else passed her. She was so upset to finish last that she skipped the finish line altogether and didn't even want to collect her ribbon. Her other races went well and she improved her standing most weeks. The last race was so bright and sunny (not usually a problem during cross country season!) that I couldn't even see her to take a picture. The photo just below here is of her last race. If you look closely, you might notice her bangs flying in the air behind the girl in the orange shorts. The photographer in me hangs her head! thank goodness this wasn't a paid gig!

One of our post school/pre race picnics. So thankful for nice weather this fall that allowed us to eat outdoors and not have to run home for lunch in between!


So many racers! This was the "stitch" race.

Honey heading for the finish!

Honey's Cross Country Running Debut

Since Honey has been practicing for the 1K race coming up, I suggested she try the cross country team at school too. I wasn't sure if she would, or if she'd even be interested in it. One day she came home and told me she'd signed up. I said "You did?" She responded "well you told me to!". This instantly made me nervous. This could go either way. If she went and hated it, this was now going to be all on me! Luckily that didn't happen and I can now claim all the glory!

Her school had a meet with several other local schools at a park downtown and it was a mob scene. Kids and parents everywhere! It was hard to tell who was where or what the instructions were or where the course was. It was a pretty small loop so we only saw her take off and then again at the finish. It was divided by gender and grade. She started at the back of the pack but managed to pass quite a bit and was near the middle at the end and came in 35th place which she was really happy with.

I love the smile on her face here, so happy and proud!

and in other news today, Sweetie was working on her "treasure box". She has to bring in a decorated box of things about herself, things that are important to her and present it to the class. She wanted a picture of herself for the top of the box so we took this last night in her room.

She has caught my dreadful cold that wiped me out for 2 days but she's looking good so far! I spent most of yesterday sleeping and am pretty much recovered now. I'm crossing my fingers that Murray doesn't get it. He's got a half marathon coming up this weekend and will NOT be impressed if he gets this!!!

Off to the races!

With all the talk of running around here lately, Grandad thought he'd take on the challenge. He was pretty sure he could beat them... for 30 feet. and he was right! he gave most of the credit to his special foot wear with the nice strap on the back! Yep, those are Crocs folks! I was a little concerned that the race might not even last 30 feet but he made it there & back and then back again! All that golfing must be doing good things for his cardiovascular strength!

After the "races" we went to check out his new ride at the golf course and took it out for a spin. Good thing there weren't many golfers on the course because these girls don't know the course etiquette yet and were having waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much fun on the tour! Honey & Lovey each took a turn steering on my lap as I worked the pedals but Sweetie wasn't too sure about it so she just held Bunny and enjoyed the trip!

Spring Training Has Begun!

The girls got talking about the 1km race coming up this summer and asked if they could do a practice run  Even Sweetie decided to give it a try. (could have knocked me over with a feather when she asked if she could practice too).

Of course everyone took off like a shot as soon as they hit the road. Sweetie was gone, almost out of sight in no time. Honey was achey and out of breath in no time. She was so discouraged when she realized how effortlessly Sweetie was zipping along. Lovey had no concerns and no big ambitions. She paused frequently to dance, twirl, flap her ladybug arms and buzz as she ran along, completely content to be out with us and having fun.

Honey had run too hard starting off and quickly had pains in her shins and was taking her "defeat" awfully hard. The kicker? "Sweetie doesn't even care about being fast!!!!!! Not FAIR, NOT FAIR!!! Why is it easy for her? How come her legs aren't hurting? She doesn't even CARE about running!"

She was right. Sweetie was just pleased to fly along enjoying the thrill of the speed. She did feel bad that Honey was so upset  and slowed down for the next 1km run a few minutes later so Honey could pass her for a few minutes but in the end didn't hold back and blazed on ahead. I explained to Honey that Sweetie doesn't want to race but is naturally gifted with good running legs. I told her that Sweetie would be a great help to her while training, that running with someone who is a bit faster would benefit her. She'd be more likely to increase her own speed by having Sweetie run with her. She seemed to like that idea, until Sweetie mentioned that she might actually go in the race too. Instant panic & despair: "I don't WANT Sweetie in the race!!!!!" (she stands to lose her 1st place standing in that age category and now feels quite threatened but wasn't feeling much heat from Lovey apparently!)

 Sweetie checking on her lead.

 Honey should probably ditch the hat, too much drag!

 la la la buzzzzzzzzz, la la la... oh take one like this Mummy!

 The last leg of the 2nd km and Honey takes the lead for awhile!

 The ended up going for a 1km run for a 3rd time that night, although Lovey never completed a full km after the first one. She tires more easily and stops and waits for them to hit the turn around. Once she can see them coming, she turns around and starts walking back. Sweetie was quite concerned and kept yelling as she approached "She didn't go all the way!!! she didn't do it all!!!! Muuuuuuuummmm!!!!!!!!!!" LOL so much for not caring about racing huh Sweetie???

Could be an interesting couple of months! They ran a total of 3 km's each, on two different nights this week. Sweetie asked to go out again last night but we had shovelling to do instead!

The Big Race!

Lovey & Honey had their race recently and did well, all things considered. The week prior, they both came down with a touch of the flu and had fevers and were exhausted all week. Neither of them got a single practice run in before the race. Twice that week Honey was in bed by 6pm! We weren't even sure they'd feel well enough to enter.

The morning of the race, they managed to get out of bed and get dressed and once they were fully awake, they were excited to go. Sweetie was holding firm on not participating so everything was normal :)))

Honey didn't get a new PB but when she started practicing, she'd hoped to be able to finish in under 7 minutes and she achieved that and was happy. Lovey hadn't gotten many practice runs in so hadn't set much in the way of a goal and was pleased with her medal haul! Hopefully they'll be in better health for next year's event!

Even with being under the weather, all my runners placed in their age categories and came home with trophies which was pretty exciting for everyone!

Honey's New PB :)))

She & Murray went for a quick run before supper and Lovey decided she'd like to try the 1km too so she joined them. Honey blasted right off and soon left Lovey behind. Honey got a new PB of 6:03 (she got 6:11 yesterday) and was pretty excited!

We went back to meet Lovey who had gotten a pain in her side and had to slow down. She didn't realize how long 1km really was and had thought it would be much easier. She bolted out of the driveway thinking she'd show Honey how it was done. I think Murray will be working on pacing with her! She's worried she doesn't have enough time to train and get ready but we're pretty sure she can work her way up to it by race day. :))) She can do anything else once she sets her mind to it, so this should be a snap!

A Walk in the Park!

Well, not so much of a walk as a leisurely sit! Teena & Boo met us for our first visit to the park this year. I can't wait to be doing this regularly soon!

As I picked up the kids, I noticed Honey had worn rainboots to school that day. Not cool for climbing monkey bars and walking balance beams! of course we didn't have a single pair of sneakers in the car, only a pair of heeled church shoes which were no better than the boots! We made a quick pitstop at the dollar store and found some knock off crocs that hopefully aren't full of lead paint and the blood sweat and tears of underage foreign workers.

I brought some watermelon & juiceboxes for a snack and Teena surprised us with homemade cherry popsicles (holy Martha Stewart Batman!!!). The kids were off & running in no time but made regular visits to our blanket so we couldn't get too engrossed in our conversation. Lovey even decided to curl up with Teena and have her read to her! Ummm hello??? get your own friends kid!!!!!

This picture of Honey running reminded me that she set a new "PB" tonight for running 1km. Previously she had a time of 7:33 and tonight did it in 7:11. She was conscious of her time the entire run. She kept asking Murray where she was at & when they were halfway and she was less than 4 minutes, she knew she was going to beat her old time and really put the pedal to the metal!

Runner In Training

Murray does a few races each year, mostly 10K's now. Honey & her sisters have participated in the kids' race that they have just before the 10K starts. It was 100m and for up to age 5. Last year they still went in it but we told them they couldn't do that one again. Honey decided she'd try the 1K this year, which is for ages 6-15. Murray took her out to get proper sneakers and she's been doing a few practice runs. She can now run the full distance! Unfortunately tonight we had Swedish Meatballs for supper and she had to take a break on the way back as she was too full!

These are her first lace up sneakers (I've been cheating all this time with Velcro & stretchy openings!) and she's been trying to figure out how to tie them. Tonight she got one of them done herself!