John's Run 4 Kids 2016

For the 4th year straight, we entered the kids in the John's Run 4 Kids to benefit Backpack Beginnings. The difference this year is that we qualified for the "Brady Bunch" discount, so Emma could run for free if she was willing to run. Sadly, Rebecca had class this year so she wasn't able to come, so her Dad came up to help me manage the herd while I ran with each of them. 

Olivia was first up.

She ran well to start, but after going up 5 flights and back down, she took to walking here and there.

She did well on the obstacles.

Even the balance beam was no sweat for her. 

A running high-five. :)

And she finished in about 12 minutes. 

Once she was done, I had less than 2 minutes before the boys were on the go!

Ezra was quick out of the gate.

He was in the lead after the first trip over the parking deck.

Gabe wasn't far behind.

He took the hurdles like a veteran.

and Gabe was no slouch, either.

Ezra took advantage of a helping hand

But Gabe powered through...

By the time they reached the second time over the parking deck, Gabe had passed Ezra.

After all those stairs... whew!

the slide was a relief!

Gabe finished in about the same time as Olivia

and Ezra was only 10-15 seconds behind him. Once again, 2 minutes for me to rest before the next race. I just had to ask Emma if she was going to run it.

And she did!

She was a champ.

She kept running ...

all the way over the parking deck...

through the Cultural Arts Center...

Around the fountains...

over the hurdles...

under the nets...

across the balance beam...

back up the parking deck...

over the top and back down...

past her cheering section...

down the slide...

through the garden...

and across the Line! I could not have been more proud! She never complained, kept a smile the whole time and had so much fun! I can't wait to see if we can convince Irene to do it next year. :)

My racing team!

John's Run 4 Kids - 2015

For the third year straight, we brought the kids downtown to run in the John's Run 4 Kids, organized by the same folks that do the Mudbug Run, Running With Horses. The course was slightly different this year. The park where they held the festivities previously is undergoing renovations, so they had to move the start/finish/party over to the library and Children's Museum. This year, Grandma and Grandpa came to cheer the the kids on.

 As usual, since she's older, Olivia's heat was first. She was really excited.

 Nick, the race organizer, had to do some running of his own to keep from being trampled. :)

 The park being closed also forced them to change the route and have a new obstacle: the parking deck. They made you run up 5 stories, across the roof of the deck and back down 5 stories. It was exhausting!

 Olivia made it through in just over 10 minutes.

 There was a little bit of time between Olivia's and the boys' heat, so the silliness helped pass the time. :)

 Finally, the boys were off! Rebecca ran with Gabe to help motivate.

 Ezra, however, was off like a shot and never looked back. It was tough catching him. I would get a pic of him at an obstacle...

 and the wait for Gabe to come through. 

 Then I had to sprint ahead to catch Ezra at the next obstacle...

 and wait for Gabe to catch up. :)

 After doing Olivia's race and knowing I'd have to do the stairs again, I cheated and took the elevator. I was glad I did because I just barely caught up to Ezra as he crossed the roof.

 Gabe and Mama weren't too far behind. 

 I next managed to catch up to Ezra at the plane in the Children's Museum.

 The I waited for Gabe while Ezra ran through the garden outside. 

 Fortunately, I had just enough time to get over to the finish line to catch Ezra's finish.

 And Gabe finished strong just a minute later.

 I was proud of both boys for really sticking it out and doing their best. I think next year, tho, we'll enter them in different heats so I don't die.

 Once the race was done, it was time for fun. Irene had a blast in the bounce house.

While the rest just about wore the slide out! :)