The 3.21 Dash for Down Syndrome

It may be the off-season for Cross Country, but that's no excuse to slack! We entered Olivia into the 3.21 Dash for Down Syndrome to keep her moving until the season starts back up.

Usually a 5K race is 3.1 miles, but the 3.21 Dash adds an extra .11 mile fun run at the end of the course, bringing the total mileage to 3.21 miles in honor of the third copy of the 21st chromosome that makes individuals with Down Syndrome unique.

Olivia's New Sport

Olivia started a new sport this spring: Cross Country Running.

We put the boys in a homeschool running club back in the fall and it turns out that the same women who run that club also coach a Cross Country team for homeschoolers. This seemed like a great thing for Olivia to try. They do a 10-week spring training session where kids 12 and over run twice a week at different parks and trails around Greensboro. They run anywhere from 2 to 6 miles, getting themselves in shape for a late-summer season starting at the end of July. 

Her coaches say that she has the perfect build for it and has the potential to be really good at it if she wants to be, so we are encouraging her every way possible. 

Our Kids - Too Cute

 We took advantage of a break in the heat to go for a walk through the Arboretum near our house.  The kids really appreciated to opportunity to run around and be silly.

Gabe loves to dance, and when he does, it's hilarious to watch. he usually makes horns like a bull and runs in circles.

Olivia will often get into the act as well.

We love to see the differences between our boys. Gabe has the funniest running stride. He's very forward with his chest and runs with his elbows locked.

Ezra, on the other hand, looks like an aggressive marathon runner

Ezra found a huge leaf but it was wet, so he threw it back.

Then he spotted some ants and kept trying to squish them.

Ezra's Run

Ezra is getting into running now, probably because he has to to keep up with the other two! His run is so cute! I said it reminded me of Winnie the Pooh.