The 5K

Race Day!  For three months I have been working up the courage to run a 5K, to push Brayden.  I signed us up and then recruited anyone I could for support (running and cheering).

Our amazing group, missing a hand full of people and had some that couldn't be with us but signed up as virtual runners, a total of 35!  Lots of love to this crew!

A very early start, getting Brayden up and ready means we have to get up quite early.  But no worries, he slept (and slept through most of the morning).  The morning was truly so much fun.   Lots of excitement and joy.

The course was a loop around Purcellville and on the W&OD trail.  I had help in pushing Brayden, my lovely assistants, Jenn and Cindy, my sister even jumped in for a bit.

 The race started.  Carter and Luke were off, determined to crush this 5K.

I had help in pushing Brayden, my lovely assistants, Jenn and Cindy was are amazing friends, my sister even jumped in for a bit.

The race went by extremely fast, it almost felt like we didn’t even run that much.  We made it to end.

Luke really did crush the 5K.  Friends and Family were waiting at the finish line. The first runners started to come in.  In the pack was a little green runner with white hair.  It was Luke!  He came in 6th overall, 1st for 1-15 yr olds and finished in 22:46.

Carter was not too far behind, apparently he made a pit stop to toss his cookies from running so hard.  He finished 10th overall, 3rd  for 1-15 yr olds and finished in 25:46.

Crossing the finish line with smiles and still having fun.

Everyone did amazing!

My brother and Jeremy's dad

We received our medals and other fun treats.

How did Brayden do?!  He enjoyed every second of his nap...pushed on a cool fall morning, puts the guy right to sleep.  He was peaceful.

These three cuties went to preschool together, love them.

We may have to try this again...

Let me tell you how all of this started...God planting little seeds along the way that lead up to the race.  Placing several friends at the right place at the right time.

Several months ago, my wonderful friend Susan hosted a yoga class at her home.  I went, looking to try it, hoping to get back into working out (I haven't done much in several years).  Turns out, I love yoga, still do it.  Then a couple months later, a fabulous gal, Cindy, set up a weight-loss challenge amongst a big group of friends.  I signed up for the challenge, to motivate me to get back to working out.  A fear of public humiliation is a great motivator when the challenge included weigh-ins.  I did get back in shape.  The challenge ended and Jeremy challenged me to look into this Ainsley's Angels race that a friend forwarded him information about.  Ummm, I have NEVER run a race for anything.  In fact I loathe running, I will try any other work out.  However, this could be for Brayden.  There is nothing more he loves, than to be pushed around.  How was I going to run a 5K, let alone push Brayden and run?!  I was contemplating race for a couple of weeks, I truly was terrified to try.  I ran in to an old friend (whom I rarely see and basically just see through Christmas cards over the years), Jen, while out shopping one day.  She was pondering new kitchen chairs, while I rambled on about trying to do the 5K.  She gave me such encouragement to do the 5K.  A couple of days later I signed Brayden and I up.  Then I sent out emails and posts about the Ainsley's Angels race.  So many wonderful friends and family joined, supported and sent amazing encouragement.  And I had several friends offer to help me push Brayden.  I truly felt blessed to finally be at the race, not nervous, feeling lots of love and excitement.  All of the past several months, leading up to this day.

Now I still need to learn to like running...I am doing better, I am learning to tolerate it, if I have a little goal for each run.

And a big Thank You to EK Screen Prints who made and donated our team t-shirts!