Sylvania SuperKids

We rose early on Saturday morning to make it out to the beautiful Olander Park in Sylvania for Will's third kids' fun run of the summer. The event was called Sylvania SuperKids and the main highlight was actually a kids triathalon/duathalon for 7-14 year olds. But they also featured a kids 0.4 mile fun run for 3-7 year olds and that's what Will participated in.

Registration took place from 6-7:15 and I thought Will's race started at 7:30.

I was afraid I'd have to wake him in the morning because we needed to leave at 6:30-ish to make the 40 minute drive and I wanted to get him a light breakfast first. 6:30-7 has been his typical wake time lately. But, low and behold, the boy woke on his own at 6 that morning (he probably heard me up a little before that) and was very cooperative and excited for his race. He ate a yogurt cup and a banana before we left and we packed a water bottle and some dry cereal for after. Then we picked up my mom who asked to come along and left a sleeping Sophia and Craig at home.

Well, we made it out there in time and got checked in only to find out that the kids race wasn't going to be until after the final heat of the tri/du was finished, which they thought would be around 9. I was a little bummed because I didn't plan on being there that long and I wasn't sure how Will would do with the wait. But I'd also never witnessed a triathalon before and it was so fun to see how hard these kids worked and how much heart they put into it. I know you're going to laugh at me, but on about three occasions, I got teary-eyed just watching all these kids I didn't know in action. Especially the younger heats. Wow! I was so impressed! And the family support that was evident and present there was astounding. I think that's why I love doing organized races for both Will & I. Sure, I could just go out and run a 5K on my own and save myself a few dollars, but I just love being a part of that type of "community" and organization. It's inspiring. The people are so dedicated and interested in health and family and I always leave feeling inspired.

Will & Nana watch one of the swimming heats set out.
We also watched a little family of ducks waddle into the pond as well.

Kind of a serious face, but Will wanted to put his number on his shirt pretty early. :) He had fun playing on the playground and watching some of the races, but he really just wanted to run NOW. Towards the end, he was starting to get tired and not even excited about his race anymore. Poor guy.

After the swim, the kids run up to their parked bikes and some make a super fast wardrobe adjustment (lose the swim cap, pull shorts over suits, change shoes, etc.) and then off they go! There were lots of people stationed to keep the kids on track.

Look at them go! Aww, shucks. I'm getting teary again. I'm going to be a weapy sports mom if I don't start sucking it up. But if I saw my kid doing this, I'd probably need a couple tissues. :)

In one of the older heats, we watched the son of my mom's good friend finish pretty high in his age group. Good job, Ben! Ben's mom, Tracy, is an avid runner and she's very inspiring to me. She has four active kids, has completed the Boston marathon and even did a triathalon while pregnant with one of her kids!

Getting ready to run and stretching it out! This is supposed to be a lunge. It looked better before I took the picture. :)

Doesn't he look sleepy?

Finally, it was 9:30 and the little kids were getting their turn. You can see Will about third from the left - he's the shortest one. At first, I lined up with him. I've run the other two races with him and I just assumed I would today. But NO other parents were out there - keep in mind, he's probably the youngest - and they were only running a straight out and back on a paved running path. So you could see them the entire way for the 0.4 miles. As is expected for Will, he didn't seem nervous to be by himself at all, so I stood off to the side and just ran in the grass alongside the path to cheer him on.

Aww. Look at my little dude there in the middle. The girl to his left in the orange and pink is Katherine (a little girl we met there) and she and Will talked before the race started, which sparked his motivation to run again.

Off they go!

There he goes, turning around again. But in this picture, some of the bigger kids had already made it to the halfway and were on their way back to the finish. He did stop a couple times, but mostly ran the whole way and did very well.

On the way back, he tripped and fell and looked on the verge of tears. But he got back up and kept going with a little cheering from me. The closer we got to the finish, the crowds of family saw that he was the last and littlest finisher and boy did Will love their cheering! His smile was huge! At one point, he started to run towards Nana, who was cheering too, but I rerouted him and he crossed the finish and got his ribbon.

Good job, Will!!!

Proud of my guy.

Refueling with Nana as we headed for home.

More races are on the books for the next couple months.

Next up for me is the women's 5K this Saturday.

And Will's next race is a half mile in early September. He may even get to run with a friend this time!

Some day, I'd love to organize a community kids fun run at our local school. I've talked to my brother in law, Wes, about it and he thinks that would be fun too. Maybe in a few years when the girls are a little older...