I love our little tradition of running a Halloween race
in costume. B and I have been doing this
since our first race in 2010 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with me pushing B
throug a hilly 10k race.
This year, we ran the Brecksville 5k Trick or Trot race and B was amazing. We both made our costumes this year - she was Batman (Batgirl!) and I was Robin (oh, the irony, I know). Best of all, she scored her first PR by besting her
previous 5k time by 2 minutes! So next
year, the goal is to break 39:xx!
Showing posts with label halloween race. Show all posts
Showing posts with label halloween race. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
Monday, October 28, 2013
Her First 5k: The Great Pumpkin Race
When I started this crazy race-all-50-states thing, I wanted to find a way to get my girls involved in the races as well. For Bridget, that meant using the jogging stroller for many races, but this year was different. This year, she raced a full 5k ON HER OWN!
The first year we decided that Halloween races would be our thing was 2010. We raced our first 10k together in costumes. Her favorite book at the time was Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy. So she picked the costumes with her starring as Ladybug Girl and I was Bumbleebee Boy (errr Girl). We raced in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the Day of the Dead 10k. Thanks to United, our stroller didn't arrive in time for the race (it actually was delivered 2 hours after the race - thanks, but no thanks). Fortunately, Greg secured us a rental (he made the arrangements from Ohio - what a great man). We totally rocked the course and ended the day with a visit to the Children's Discovery Museum.
In 2011, we added Megan to the mix and raced in Savannah, Georgia around beautiful plantation homes. B and I went as witches complete with tons of tulle and witch hats. Meg dressed up as a cheetah and even won her age group!
Last year, we ran in Seattle and braved the drizzle that Seattle is well known for. This was B's first race solo and she ran the Kid's half-mile fun run. We dressed as draculas, but she made her dad carry her cape while she ran!
This year, we ran side by side in her first full 5k. She dressed as a cheetah and I went as Robin (Batman's sidekick). We held hands crossing the finish line. The best part was hearing her tell me as soon as she saw the Mile 3 sign that she didn't think she was going to be able to finish the race when she started. But now she knew she could do it and was beyond excited. When she finished, she told her dad that her legs didn't even hurt!
The first year we decided that Halloween races would be our thing was 2010. We raced our first 10k together in costumes. Her favorite book at the time was Ladybug Girl and Bumblebee Boy. So she picked the costumes with her starring as Ladybug Girl and I was Bumbleebee Boy (errr Girl). We raced in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the Day of the Dead 10k. Thanks to United, our stroller didn't arrive in time for the race (it actually was delivered 2 hours after the race - thanks, but no thanks). Fortunately, Greg secured us a rental (he made the arrangements from Ohio - what a great man). We totally rocked the course and ended the day with a visit to the Children's Discovery Museum.
In 2011, we added Megan to the mix and raced in Savannah, Georgia around beautiful plantation homes. B and I went as witches complete with tons of tulle and witch hats. Meg dressed up as a cheetah and even won her age group!
Last year, we ran in Seattle and braved the drizzle that Seattle is well known for. This was B's first race solo and she ran the Kid's half-mile fun run. We dressed as draculas, but she made her dad carry her cape while she ran!
This year, we ran side by side in her first full 5k. She dressed as a cheetah and I went as Robin (Batman's sidekick). We held hands crossing the finish line. The best part was hearing her tell me as soon as she saw the Mile 3 sign that she didn't think she was going to be able to finish the race when she started. But now she knew she could do it and was beyond excited. When she finished, she told her dad that her legs didn't even hurt!
 |
| She's still moving at Mile 2! |
 |
| Top left 2013, top right 2012 in Seattle. Bottom left 2011 in Savannah, bottom right 2010 in Albuquerque |
Monday, November 5, 2012
Bridget's First Race in Seattle
Exhausting getting here, but loving it once we got some sleep. Kimpton hotel did not disappoint! Great location, fantastic modern decor and amenities that always appeal to us.
Thanks to not being able to adjust to the 3-hour time change, we got up early and headed over to Pike Place Market. We enjoyed little pastry puffs and cafe au lait at Le Pannier for breakfast while B enjoyed a coffee macaroon and hot chocolate (although she drank more of Greg's cafe au lait than her hot chocolate-that's my girl!).
Wandered around some shops, darted in Mountain Hardware for a rain jacket since MY rain jacket seems to have taken up temporary (or permanent) residence at Miami University. To escape the drizzle, we lunched at the Taphouse Grille and enjoyed a couple of yummy Pints from good pacific northwest brewers. This place had 160 craft beers on tap. Wow!
After lunch, we headed over to the Space Needle. What an amazing view! The Space Needle was originally designed for the 1962 World's Fair and has such an interesting history with the design starting out on a napkin. And besides, this was one of those must see sights while in Seattle.
After wandering around various neighborhoods and enjoying the cool vibe, we found our way back to the hotel for a short rest period (thank goodness because Seattle is very very hilly!). Dinner was supposed to be Brouwer's, but they have a 21 age limit so off to plan B. We shopped a bit while in the Fremont neighborhood (which actually reminded us of our own Tremont) and found the most amazing cycling lifestyle shop called Hub and Bespoke! There were SO many items I could have bought here! Dinner ended up being at Norm's, which is also known as a Canine Pub. Yes, owners and dogs. We had the best time petting dogs, drinking great pints, and I had the BEST CHILI EVER. They use cocoa powder and peanut butter instead of flour to thicken the chili. It had black beans, corn, tender chunks of chicken, stewed tomatoes. The bowl of chili and a pint of Manny's Pale Ale warmed me up nicely on this cold, rainy day. Bridget even told the waiter it was the BEST grilled cheese and she ate ALL of it. Back to the hotel to rest before Bridget's big race morning.
Although it was windy and chilly race morning, there was no rain-phew! The packet pick-up was easy and, while we waited for the race to begin, Bridget was beyond excited to play on the playground, which had one of the best zip lines. This year, we went as Vampires. Don't we look scary?
As we lined up at the start, the race organizers treated us to pre-race stretching and exercises set to fun music. And then we were off! The first quarter mile started flat, but that wouldn't last for long. About a third of a mile in, we were greatest by a really steep hill. Ouch! Ok, ok, I survived that one with a nice shuffle. I no sooner caught up with Leonardo, Raphael, Michaelangelo, and Donatello (the best group of running Teenage Mutant Ninja Turles) that I had to tackle nasty hill #2! Ok, this will not result in a PR, but the scenery made it all worthwhile! Mile 2 flattened out as I passed a few super heroes, a family of explorers with their kid as a lion, and Wayne and Garth (who would pass me in the last half mile). The space between mile 2 and 3 was mostly along the water with some wicked wind, but amazing views. And then it was time for the final stretch to be greeted by Bridget and Greg at the finish line.
Next up was Bridget's turn at the Kids 1k Fun Run. Bridget was so excited to start her first race. When they said GO, she took off with lightening fast speed. I couldn't even catch up with her! My guess was she was clocking in somewhere between a 6:30-7:00 minute mile!
She finally stopped at the turnaround and I was able to catch up. She was so excited in the final stretch, but nothing compared to the look of pure joy when she received her finisher's ribbon! When she ran to Greg, she told him that she finished her first race and got her first ribbon! I love this kid to pieces! And that's how Bridget helped to check off our 47th state!
We were also treated to some very clever costumes, including:
Honey Boo Boo
Running of the Bulls (one guy as the bull and 5 others dressed as Pamplonians)
Wayne & Garth
Pac Man
Family with husband as dog on leash and jogging stroller
Popcorn kernel
Gangnam Style
Bane from Batman-scary!
Unicorn
Greg, who is the BEST travel explorer of them all, found us a wonderful Sunday brunch spot at Skillet. Afterwards, Bridget got her "promised" stuffy for being so good on this trip, I got a new Lululemon running top and a warm infinity scarf, and a cool scarf for Meg (who was stuck back in the dorm). Greg indulged us with a trip to another coffee house, then time to relax, have dinner, pack and return back to our day jobs.
Seattle, we will be back. Thank you for your hospitality and coffee!
Thanks to not being able to adjust to the 3-hour time change, we got up early and headed over to Pike Place Market. We enjoyed little pastry puffs and cafe au lait at Le Pannier for breakfast while B enjoyed a coffee macaroon and hot chocolate (although she drank more of Greg's cafe au lait than her hot chocolate-that's my girl!).
Wandered around some shops, darted in Mountain Hardware for a rain jacket since MY rain jacket seems to have taken up temporary (or permanent) residence at Miami University. To escape the drizzle, we lunched at the Taphouse Grille and enjoyed a couple of yummy Pints from good pacific northwest brewers. This place had 160 craft beers on tap. Wow!
After lunch, we headed over to the Space Needle. What an amazing view! The Space Needle was originally designed for the 1962 World's Fair and has such an interesting history with the design starting out on a napkin. And besides, this was one of those must see sights while in Seattle.
After wandering around various neighborhoods and enjoying the cool vibe, we found our way back to the hotel for a short rest period (thank goodness because Seattle is very very hilly!). Dinner was supposed to be Brouwer's, but they have a 21 age limit so off to plan B. We shopped a bit while in the Fremont neighborhood (which actually reminded us of our own Tremont) and found the most amazing cycling lifestyle shop called Hub and Bespoke! There were SO many items I could have bought here! Dinner ended up being at Norm's, which is also known as a Canine Pub. Yes, owners and dogs. We had the best time petting dogs, drinking great pints, and I had the BEST CHILI EVER. They use cocoa powder and peanut butter instead of flour to thicken the chili. It had black beans, corn, tender chunks of chicken, stewed tomatoes. The bowl of chili and a pint of Manny's Pale Ale warmed me up nicely on this cold, rainy day. Bridget even told the waiter it was the BEST grilled cheese and she ate ALL of it. Back to the hotel to rest before Bridget's big race morning.
Although it was windy and chilly race morning, there was no rain-phew! The packet pick-up was easy and, while we waited for the race to begin, Bridget was beyond excited to play on the playground, which had one of the best zip lines. This year, we went as Vampires. Don't we look scary?
As we lined up at the start, the race organizers treated us to pre-race stretching and exercises set to fun music. And then we were off! The first quarter mile started flat, but that wouldn't last for long. About a third of a mile in, we were greatest by a really steep hill. Ouch! Ok, ok, I survived that one with a nice shuffle. I no sooner caught up with Leonardo, Raphael, Michaelangelo, and Donatello (the best group of running Teenage Mutant Ninja Turles) that I had to tackle nasty hill #2! Ok, this will not result in a PR, but the scenery made it all worthwhile! Mile 2 flattened out as I passed a few super heroes, a family of explorers with their kid as a lion, and Wayne and Garth (who would pass me in the last half mile). The space between mile 2 and 3 was mostly along the water with some wicked wind, but amazing views. And then it was time for the final stretch to be greeted by Bridget and Greg at the finish line.
Next up was Bridget's turn at the Kids 1k Fun Run. Bridget was so excited to start her first race. When they said GO, she took off with lightening fast speed. I couldn't even catch up with her! My guess was she was clocking in somewhere between a 6:30-7:00 minute mile!
She finally stopped at the turnaround and I was able to catch up. She was so excited in the final stretch, but nothing compared to the look of pure joy when she received her finisher's ribbon! When she ran to Greg, she told him that she finished her first race and got her first ribbon! I love this kid to pieces! And that's how Bridget helped to check off our 47th state!
We were also treated to some very clever costumes, including:
Honey Boo Boo
Running of the Bulls (one guy as the bull and 5 others dressed as Pamplonians)
Wayne & Garth
Pac Man
Family with husband as dog on leash and jogging stroller
Popcorn kernel
Gangnam Style
Bane from Batman-scary!
Unicorn
Greg, who is the BEST travel explorer of them all, found us a wonderful Sunday brunch spot at Skillet. Afterwards, Bridget got her "promised" stuffy for being so good on this trip, I got a new Lululemon running top and a warm infinity scarf, and a cool scarf for Meg (who was stuck back in the dorm). Greg indulged us with a trip to another coffee house, then time to relax, have dinner, pack and return back to our day jobs.
Seattle, we will be back. Thank you for your hospitality and coffee!
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