Swamp Run 2010

For the second year in a row, our family participated in the Okefenokee Track Club's Swamp Run. The run was held this morning at Laura Walker State Park. Like last year, I competed in the 10K and Olivia did the 1 mile fun run. Owen made his running debut this year and competed in the fun run with his sister. This is a great race for families because it is in a state park (playground equipment) and because there is a pancake breakfast for all participants after the race. The 10K race was first. I really like this course because part of it goes onto the trails of the state park. I have come to like cross-country and trail running and I'm thinking of trying to do more races that have those elements in them. Anyway, I finished with a time of 54:42. This beats my previous 10K time of 58:25. The picture above was taken as I approached the finish line. I took my headphones off because I saw Brian and the kids cheering for me. That was just the motivation I needed to give the final push to the end. My time was good enough to give me a first place finish in my age group (and, yes, there were other people in my age group- so I didn't win by default). I received a pretty decent-sized trophy which was immediately commandeered by Olivia and will probably find a permanent home in her room.



After the 10K race was over, it was time for the 1-mile fun run to begin. Both Owen and Olivia were competing. Well, I don't know if "competing" is the right word here, maybe I should say "participating". Olivia was super-excited about running in this race. She has been "practicing" for about two weeks now. In case you're wondering, "practicing" consists of putting on her new running shoes (given to her by Granny Mel), running up and down the hall, and having me give her one of my old medals at the end. All of that practice paid off today because she did really well. During the fun run, Brian ran with Olivia, and I ran with Owen. Once the horn sounded, Brian and Olivia were off, and I didn't see them again until Owen and I finished. So, all of the details that I have of Olivia's race come from Brian. He says that Olivia did a great job and actually ran most of the mile. She only stopped a few times to walk, and then she started running again. Right before they got to the end, Brian told her to run hard to the finish. She did and was rewarded with a medal for completing the race.

Owen's race almost ended before it even got started. Gigi had come to watch the kids run. Once the horn sounded, Owen started running...toward Gigi. I managed to get him back on the road, he took a few quick steps, and then made a bee-line for Gigi again. Gigi had to end up hiding so that Owen would begin the race. Once he got started, he actually did pretty well. I took a stroller with us so that he could get in it when he got tired, but he never got in. Every few minutes I would say, "Owen, do you want to get in the stroller?". He would say no and begin running with renewed vigor as if the mere suggestion of the stroller offended him. Although he tried really hard, his little legs just couldn't keep up with everyone else. We were way behind. As you can probably guess, a member of the Sanders Famiy finished dead last in the 1 mile run for the second year in a row. I hope this doesn't become a tradition. Even though he was last, this was a big accomplishment for Owen. He got lots of cheers when he crossed the finish line. I guess Olivia didn't realize that Owen would get his own medal because she ran up to him and tried to give him hers. Needless to say, the kids were exhausted after the race and fell asleep quickly. This was a great morning, and I'm so glad that the kids had a good time.