A Special One Mile Run

Today was a great day in our running journey... Jenny and I were able to run with our children (minus JJ... he's still a little to small :o). Kendal, Madison, and Erick have been training the past few weeks for the Disney 5k taking place in September. The opportunity to take the kids to their first "race" presented itself... The kids were very excited and ready for their first challenge. 5am came very quickly this morning for 3 little runners but they ate their breakfast, dressed in their running gear, and headed out the door. 

As 8:05 drew closer the kids grew more excited and ready to start their run, we could hardly control their energy! Finally, the horn sounded and we were off holding hands and smiling as we crossed the starting line. The pride in my daughters at that moment was at an all time high. As we ran we smiled and laughed and really just enjoyed the time with children. At about .50 miles Maddy began saying her leg was hurting, Kendal, Erick, and Jenny went ahead while Maddy and I tried to work the kinks out. We continued running with a few more "moments" only a six year old running her first one mile race could have we crossed the finish line!! The kids received their very first medals.... a very very proud moment for all of us! 

Today... I learned that while running is somewhat of a retreat; a time to clear my mind and very much a personal experience at times it is also about the connections we create.  I know that my love of running and my daughters desire to run with me will only make our connections stronger and my journey that much more meaningful. 

~Kristy

The Beginning- according to Kristy

Moving to Florida I had one friend; this one friend I met only once and talked to a few times on Facebook. Around September (2011) I decided I wanted to participate in the Race for the Cure 5K. I sent my new friend a message "So do you want to do the race for the cure with me" she said yes, to which I replied... and I want to run it. Like a true friend she said OK let's do it.  So we ran; during the week and on the weekends, we mostly ran on our own. We went to the mall and bought new running gear for our first run together (a pattern we continue today). Early in the morning on October 1st we drove to St. Petersburg... How was I feeling... nervous, excited, and ready to just run... in public (more about my fear of running in public later).  So we did it... we ran, only our second time running together and we finished faster than we ever thought we would. I think it is safe to say after that run we were hooked... 

And so our running journey began, since that day we have run in three additional race... three unforgetable races.

~Kristy