May Race- The Modesto Classic

May was an adventurous month for the family....birthdays, vacations and lots of projects! It only seemed fitting that the race would be too. I signed up for the Modesto Classic while we were in Florida but I forgot that Bryan was working and I would have the kids OOOPS! I didn't want to back out so I figured the only other option was to run with them.

We had given up our double BOB (the greatest stroller EVER) a while ago since Chris is huge, but luckily my friend Julie has one. The kids have really loved coming to all the races with me the past few months so I knew they would be excited. I got them all bundled up in the stroller and loaded them with snacks. You would have thought that with the amount of snacks I packed for them I was running a marathon, not a 5K.....but hey, I needed to keep them occupied.

The kids loved all the free food from the vendors. They made sure to hit up each one to add to their food stock pile before the race. Kaiser was one of the big sponsors and the had a free Kids Run, it was a 1/2 mile and I knew it would be a great first race for them. Right before the race I told Chris that he was going to be in charge, that if Dani needed something, he needed to help. He takes jobs like this very seriously.

During the race the kids were great....heavy but great. They loved watching all the runners and the pretty scenery along the Tuolumne River. At the end Dani kept saying, "Faster Mommy, faster!!!". Then right when the finish line was in sight Chris raise both hands above his head and yelled, "Yeah Mommy, you did it, we finished." What a true statement, pushing 100lbs of kids in the stroller was not an easy task but I finished in 28 minutes so I was pleased.

My race buddies fueling up on Doritos and Gatorade before the race.

After my race it was time for the kids. They had a 1/2 mile Fun run that the kids wanted to do. I knew Chris would do fine, but was not sure about Dani. But I think the lure of getting their own race numbers and a medal at the end was enough to get them to do it. I knew Chris would be fine on his own so I told him to run as fast as he wanted and then to wait at the Finish line for us. Dani and I would run this together. I think this was one of the Top 5 experiences as a parent. they were both so excited at the start and took off running. Chris was gone before I knew it and Dani just chugged right along. About half way into it she looked at me and said; "Mommy this is awesome." She smiled and giggled her way through. We were able to wave to Chris as he looped by us and headed for the finish line. As Dani and i neared the finished she loved hearing all the people cheering for her and then seeing Chris waiting there for her at the finish. They both got their medals and had the biggest smiles no their faces.

I can not even tell you how proud I was of them both for finishing the race and enjoying it as much as they did. Half a mile may not seem like a lot but for my Dani girl and her little legs, it was. I think we may have some runners on our hands because they are already asking when the next race is.

Here is Chris pre-race munching on the chips that the Frito lay sponsor had.

Dani was busy fueling up on Gatorade

Here are my racers at the starting line ready to run!

Dani running up the little hill!

Here comes speed racer!

Chris and his medal.....he ran it in 4 minutes :)

Dani and her medal.

So we are looking forward to the June race and the whole family being able to run again. For any of you out there that have ever thought of getting your kids in these races, I would encourage you to do so. They had a blast.....plus I got some great naps out of them!