Nix's 5K

So you want to hear about my 5 1/2 year old running a 5k? He did awesome! He finished in 33:18, those are 10:45 minute miles. They competed in the 14 and under category, and he finished 17th out of 23. He was more concerned with staying with his cousins than doing his best, especially in the beginning, he kept stopping to wait for one of his cousins that was behind, two cousins took off ahead in the beginning. Funny thing, the little ones finished in the opposite order than they were in the beginning. There was some competitiveness, some crying, some blocking. But in the end, they all finished strong! Which is most important. They are strong kids, I am amazed by this accomplishment! I love them all!

BMX

Well, Nix is back at the BMX racing. He didn't want to do it anymore for a good 6 months, then out of no where, "I'm ready to race my bike at the BMX track mom." Really? Let's do it. So a couple weeks ago he won his first 3rd place and tonight he won his first 2nd place. Every time I ask him if he wants to ride he says YES.

His next feat is a 5k. Let's see, we need to get some new running shoes!

May 27th, he has his running shoes, he is signed up for a 5K with me...

and he has won his second 2nd place trophy... since I originally wrote this post.

Mud Run

We were a little disappointed with the event, but Nix still had so so much fun participating, so it was worth it. I wish that the distance was more accurate and I wish they timed it and gave out participation medals. I know, I ask a lot, but I've been to a lot of races and events and they are always a little competitive, not completely for FUN. It was called a Kid's Fun Run, so there you go, it was just for fun. Why did they get a number then? Probably to make sure they paid to participate. Hmmm... This dirty boy didn't keep anything that he is wearing except the blue shorts. The rest of his clothing was thrown in the trash. The shoes already were thrashed with holes, nice timing. I really enjoy the Kids run that they hold for the OC Marathon. We couldn't do it this year because of wedding conflicts.

So Nix woke up with me at 6:30am to register for the run at 7am. Then we went back to the event at 11am for the race. He ran the race, then after he finished, he said, "I want to do that again." It was too short, so I said, "Go for it," so he ran it again and again, until he was very muddy and they were almost done cleaning up. Tino wouldn't go in the mud, he had fun running around the weeds. We had some gatorade, showered Nix off, then headed home. It was a fun afternoon, and he has a muddy number souvenir.

LA Marathon

This is me at mile 15.  My friend Heather and her family, were the only people I saw who I knew along the course.  Everyone else I knew was running or waiting at the finish line.  It was fun to see her two times during the run.  Thanks for the picture Heather!

04:06:59  My official time!  I was 56th place in my division.

04:14:23  Brett's official time!  270th in his division.  Marathons are so much more competitive for men.  What an accomplishment!  It was really a great experience like none other.  As we approached the finish line we both become emotional.  I can't tell if I was crying cuz I was in so much pain or if I was crying cuz I accomplished something so great.  Maybe it was a combination of the two.  Brett was ahead of me for most of the marathon and somewhere at the end I passed him, and neither of us knew it.  I was looking for him the whole time.  I would have ran the end of it with him had I seen him.  We both hit the wall around mile 18.  His knees buckled on him about mile 20.  And for about 4 miles for me my pace dramatically decreased.  The strong people around me were my only motivation to keep trying and keep pushing, so I did and the last 4 miles my pace increased slightly till the last .5 miles, I was running so hard with the people cheering and the adrenaline surging through my body.  It was an amazing feeling.  I don't think I will run another marathon, although my sisters say if they do one they will pressure me to do it to.  We will see.

Our first marathon, we didn't stay together, but we were running it together, and we finished.  My mom was out there too, her time was 04:46:02 and she placed 30th in her division.

My running partners

Training was a time commitment.  But when I failed to wake up early enough to run before Brett went to work, the boys would come with me.  They really liked to come with me too.  I was more limited in the distance and direction of my runs with them, but we had a good time.

8 miles

Yesterday, Brett and I had our last long run before the marathon. We hesitantly bought inserts for our running shoes at Sport Chalet.  We bought Super Feet, and were nervous that running 8 miles in them wouldn't be the smartest idea, especially with the marathon only 8 days away, since they need to be broken in.   Surprisingly we survived the run with no problems, and they didn't feel like new shoes.  We both agreed that we should be fine running with them on marathon day as long as we are consistent running with them on our short runs this next week.  If anything, they really made my shoe more comfortable.  At least my knees and feet will probably be better off with them.

We only had to go eight miles, so we decided to take the boys along.  Last week I took the boys on a 4 mile run, so I thought they would be able to do it as long as we had enough water and snacks.  We pushed Tino in his stroller and Nix strapped on his helmet and rode his bike.  He has been riding his bike a lot this week since his razor was taken from the sidewalk Tuesday morning.  I accidently left it there (thinking I had put it in the car) and it was gone when we arrived home that afternoon.  

We ran I nice flat run, with a few slight declines and inclines.  We had a good time, and we all made it.  There were times in the end when I thought Nix wouldn't make it the last mile; but he did.  We are so impressed with his achievement.  (Sorry no pictures).

Nix's first race

We signed up the little guys for the OC Marathon Kids Fun Run, 1 mile.

I trained Nix for a few weeks to run .7 miles.

During the excitement of the start of the race Nixon took off which didn't last long, he walked for a little right after that, then while we were walking he looks at me and said, "I'm not going to walk anymore." And he didn't. He ran the whole way to the finish without stopping again. I didn't see him race, but he looks like he did well from these pictures and from his time. 3 years old, my little racer.

up to 12 miles...

We are RUNNING!!  We run so so far.  I've never thought I would run so far on multiple Saturdays.  Well, I've never thought about running a marathon until now.  In my family, it's me, Brett, Sophi and my mom training for this sucker.  Sophi had a bout with shin splints and now Brett is suffering with them.  I've been on the verge of having them, but it never seems to get to that point, so I'm crossing my fingers.  This Saturday we will run 14 miles, and our goal pace is 10 minute miles, which will take us over 2 hours.  Tino will be 10 months old.  I'm so lucky that he will be over a year at the marathon date, so I don't have to fuss about being away from him too much with training and the over 4 hours of constant, steady running on May 25th.  I sure enjoy getting back into shape again, but I eat so much.  Especially at dinner, I can't seem to ever fill up this stomach of mine.  I miss the feeling of being so full that I can't eat another bite!  I know that is a terrible feeling to miss, but I do.

Marathon anyone?

We have decided to run the LA Marathon this year.  So the training has started, my first run was 1 mile long.  I didn't get up early enough and Brett had to leave for work in 10 minutes... so I ran 1 mile.  I had to walk twice and when I got home my lungs were on fire!!  I have never been in so much pain after 1 mile before.  Later the same day I walked to the store with Nix on the razor and Tino in the stroller. Then this morning my shins were sore so I did the elliptical, ugggh.  I hope I can get in shape fast enough without injuring myself.   Nix's legs were sore today too... he kept complaining about his legs hurting.  The store is about 1 mile away, so he rode his razor roughly 2 miles yesterday.  What a tough little man.  I called him a little man and he told me that he wasn't little, he is big.  So I explained that he was a big boy, but a little man. He didn't agree.  He insisted that he is a big man like his daddy.  When he created a Wii Mii, he made himself tall and  fat.  I tried to make him shorter, but he said, "No, I am tall" and fixed it.