Run for Daddy

10/16/2010 - The Dragon Invitational. This meet is a big challenge between the two rival schools systems North vs South. Today was nearly perfect conditions for running. With Mark in the hospital I didn't know how much the kids would focus on running. Mark told them all to run hard for him. Everyone had to leave the house and be at the meet by 8:45 am since Mark was in the hospital and Jessicawas injured at home. Devon wasn't too happy about going so early (and later on the little ones weren't too happy about staying late - but it all evened out in the end).

The first race of the day (for our family) was the middle school girls at 10:10. This course is actually a little longer than a true 4K (which explains why Marissa's times have been higher at this race).

Go Marissa!

Here she is taking her head band off to throw at me.

Good thing I went around the course

Most of this course is back in the woods - here comes Marissa on the last 1/4 mile stretch.

And here is Marissa at the finish line (on the track)

Marissa finished in 18:11 which converted to a true 4K equals 17:59

She wasn't happy with her race because she came in behind another girl (Kelsey Hall) but she ran a GREAT race.

Here is Marissa with Gracie, Hannah, Shelby and Maddie

And our fast runners are:

Marissa, Emma, Kelsey and Erin

Next up is the middle school boys at 10:55 am. Robert is really excited.

Robert ran a strong race from start to finish.

Here he is on the first incline

Robert on the straight-away before heading into the woods

Robert on the the last 1/4 mile stretch.

He ran officially in 16:36 but it adjusted up to be a new PR

A group of the guys after the race:

Mason, Robert, Danny, Aaron, David, Chris, Luke G., Trenton, Luc B.

Top Runners this race -

David #1, Tenton #2, Mason #3, Danny #4, Aaron #5, Luke G. #7, Robert #9

Both the middle school girls and middle school boys took 1st place this race!

The boys have been 1st place every race (I think) and the girls have been 1st or 2nd every race

Next up is the high school JV race (both girls and boys) at 11:35 - perfect time.

Devon on the straight away. He 5K course was different from the 4K so there weren't as many opportunities to get photos. They were in the woods the majority of the meet.

Devon on the last 1/4 mile stretch. He is just about to enter the track.

Devon had a fabulous finish, but then collapsed into this guys arms. He really ran - giving it everything he had - passing Zach Mitchell at the end to take tenth place overall.

Amazing race, but it always makes me worry to see him so weak after the race.

Devon finished with 18:36 (this course is probably longer than a true 5K)
Marissa and Devon after the race. They both helped hand out water bottles to other runners. Devon is very thoughtful that way. He is never asked to help, he just steps in to lend a helping hand.

We are so proud of their hard work and effort. My kids amaze me.