Running moments to remember

"Running is a big question mark that's there each and every day. It asks you, 'Are you going to be a wimp or are you going to be strong today?'" 
- Peter Maher, Canadian marathon runner

Yesterday my husband, my daughter Rachel, her roommate Amanda and I all joined in the 30th year of the Buckshot Run in Eau Claire.  I have been attending the race for 7 years.  Vance has been joining me for the last 5 years.  We run the five mile and while this is our favorite run of the year, the last hill in Carson Park is always dreaded.  We were a little concerned when we took a glimpse at the route for this year.  Due to construction being done on the normal route, this year's event took a new "old" route.  The original route from 30 years ago.   This meant an added hill at mile approximately 1.5 miles into the race and the dreaded hill at mile 4.  As we drove to the race we decided we weren't going to compare our running times between years because we knew that it wouldn't be better due to the added hill.  Aren't we clever at rationalizing?   We were pleasantly surprised at the headwind breeze at the top of the last hill, a much needed boost and that hill didn't seem as bad as the first hill.  Much to our surprise, we came in faster than the year before and we were pleased with our "recovery" time after the race. We weren't wimps after all and it was fun to have a new route.

30 years of this race, helping over 1000 Special Olympics members, what a great tradition to be part of.  It was fun to hear the comments during the race by one of the people who has run every race for the past 30 years.   I don't know who he was, but as he ran past people, he thanked everyone for being there.  It was an inspirational race in more ways than one.

We finished our race in time to join Rachel and Amanda prepping for their first 2 mile race ever.  We can always count on Amanda having something clever to say.  As they are pinning on their race numbers I pulled out my camera to capture the moment.  "Oh...it's just like prom."  3 years of capturing prom picture flashbacks raced through my head!  My how they have grown up over the years.  Watching them during the race filled our memory bank with another proud moment seeing the girls accomplish another event in their lives.  One that they have done all on their own.  It was exciting to see them come in faster than they had anticipated, and to hear them say.  "We want to do the Harvest Hustle race too!"  

Just like prom pictures - Amanda is
so clever in her comments!

The proud dad standing behind!

Right in the center - Amanda with her thumbs up and
Rachel waving, waiting for the race to begin.  

Here they are on the left side of picture - doing
well at mile 1

Should have used the sport setting - they passed
by so fast you can barely see them!

Testing out the sport setting - Vance and I
always feel just a wee-bit jealous when
the little kids and the people with strollers
pass us.

Here they come (just behind the lady on the left)

Almost to the end, to the left of the lady in blue

Finishing strong, they are both still running!

Loved Rachel's shoes, made it easy to spot her.  The
Sports setting on the camera worked!

Found them catching their breaths under a shade tree.

Wow - awesome time girls!

Time for pictures - after prom they were sweaty too

Adorable runners!

I'm so proud of these girls!

Celebration lunch at the Livery!

Lunch nourishment - Pulled pork and
the best Sweet Potato Tots in town

Asian Chicken Wrap (more tots ;-))

Fish tacos 

We had to model our T-shirts later in the
day - We're smiling, it was a great day!