Runners on Your Mark

Get Set! Go!

{Powered by rain boots}

Best Works

Our best works

after 9 years.

Happy Anniversary, love.

I got you some fingerprint smudges

on the front window ...

maybe a little slobber too.

Let's do something really romantic tonight

involving the boys' chariot,

your best running shoes,

and a few dozen sweaty strangers.

I love hanging out with you...

{and our two best works}

no matter what we do.

Pit Stop One :: Lynchburg College Track

800 Miles from CLT to SYR

used to be possible with 2 quick stops for gas and a potty break

over the course of 12 long hours.

Our first roadtrip to NY as a family of four

took considerably longer

and was luckily split up over the course of two days

and a few fun pit stops.

The first pit stop was at Lynchburg College.

Most places you leave behind are remembered through 

rose-colored glasses, and upon revisiting them,

reality sometimes disappoints.

The exact opposite happened when we arrived at LC.

We both had fond memories separately,

but after walking the campus and letting our boys play on the track,

LC is better and more beautiful than we ever remembered.

Certainly a lot has changed in the last 10 years,

but being back at LC made us so proud to be Hornets!

What started as "Stack" and some nerdy Westover with 
a crazy freshman crush turned into a blessed family of four 10 years later!

 Make that a crazy family of four.

While Anderson ate, Alekzander used up some of his energy 

by running a lap around the track.

It was so fun to watch him run on the same track 

that his mama did!  Look at that form!

Not to be outdone, Anderson had to try out the track too.

Two little boys must have paid attention at MS track meets 

to know how to come out of starting blocks!

 Racing Daddy - his favorite running role model.

If Alekzander ever gets bored with running,

soccer may be his game.

He dribbled the ball {quite skillfully} down the entire field.

Little brother also had to play.

Sign him up for goalie!

Track Star

Pre-Race Line-Up              ::            Untimed 50M Halfway

 Untimed 50M Finish!

Since Alekzander has been an attendee since he was 4 months old,

he is definitely at home at a track meet.

As a competitor, however, he was a little unsure.

But with Mommy and Daddy cheering at the finish line

and the promise of {a bite of} a protein bar 'treat',

he ran fast, he ran straight, and he finished both races!

Daddy ran two races {fast!} as well 

and the next meet date is already on the calendar.

Mommy might need more than a bite of a protein bar

to resurrect my inner track star,

but with a cute four year old cheering at the finish line, 

there could be three Swistaks on the track next time!

Kids 100M 

 Practicing his approach into the "sand jump pit"

{He probably ran more than 150M running and jumping!}

Proud boy sporting his finisher ribbons at

Run for your Life Summer Track Series

Fit Family

I am a sucker for contests. 

How amazing is it to win something?!

I am an even bigger sucker for fun with my family.

Even if our fun means running, sweating, and chugging up neighborhood hills.

We are part of Charlotte Parent's Fit Family Challenge.

Nothing has really changed as far as our lifestyle except we log our daily activity.

Maybe to win something. Maybe to stay motivated to move.

I have to admit, it is fulfilling to type in 120 minutes worth of Spartan-like activity, 

or 75 blissful peace-filled minutes of solo running.

Even 15 minutes of hot and humid balance biking is an accomplishment.

Last night we logged a total of 52 minutes of running together as a family.

Andrew finished {and won} a 5K in 20:09 

and then looped back to run the rest of my 5K with me and the boys.

I refused to let him even put a finger on the stroller, 

because if I pushed the stroller 2.1 miles up and down hills by myself,

by golly, I was going to push it by myself for the final mile!!

Stubbornness and strength helped us finish...

and set an example for our own two little kiddos

as well as the hundred other kiddos 

that came out to run last night to raise money for their school's playground!

 Anderson stayed awake the entire time

until I crossed the finish line!

Alekzander quickly claimed Daddy's trophy!

Race Day Juxtaposed

Running :: One foot in front of the other 

... repeated 10,000 times.

A hypnotizing cadence peppered by belabored breathing.

Step, step, step, step, breathe.

For any race, one can expect the same nervous anticipation, 

impending pain and sweat equity, encouraging onlookers,

and finish lines that evoke feelings of pride and accomplishment.

Andrew and I each 'raced' on Saturday,

but had very different experiences.

Pure Religion 5K 2014

Charlotte Spartan Sprint 2014

Ran alongside these little running warriors

{in their chariot driven by Daddy}

 Ran through these Gladiator type warriors

Post Race :: Sharing a sno-cone with my little love!

Post Race :: Finisher's Medal + Mud Cakes

Alekzander sound bites ::

"Mommy, I think you are winning!" 

{though clearly dozens of people are in front of me}

"Daddy, you're as messy as a dirty hog!"

Love Your Runner

Cheering on Daddy at his first official marathon 

{St. Patrick's Day at McAlpine Park}

Proud of Daddy ::

Faithful,

Determined,

Tough as nails,

Strong enough to carry his biggest fan

 through the finish

at 26 miles ...

First place individual finisher!

Love your runner...

Struggling to process the events of 4.15.13 in Boston at the end of the marathon.

Praying for all those affected.

Hoping for justice.

See You at the Finish Line

More often than not, Alekzander runs rather than walks.

While we were hiking at the end of October, 

he ran ahead on the trail and yelled,

"See you at the finish line!"

We don't know where he comes up with half of the stuff he says, 

but this one stopped us in our tracks and made us laugh.

He said it in a tone similar to

"Eat my dust!"

I suppose the next few years will be a big {fast} game of chase.

On your mark,

Get set,

Go!

 

Uwharrie 40 Photo Finish

 

Elmo and Daddy went on a 40 mile run...

Nothing big.  Just running up and down some mountains... for nearly 8 hours.

We made it in time to see our hero finish the 2012 Uwharrie Ultra.

Watching Daddy finish 

{Photo by Lauren Taylor}

 Yay Daddy!  40 miles ... You made it!!

I'd like to think that arms outstretched like that are better than any other award.

{Thanks to Lauren Taylor for this awesome picture!}

{Photo by Lauren Taylor}

... and the aftermath ...

RICE and some Alekzander initiated TLC.

Free Bananas

One-half of the "Mama" cheering squad.

Thankful for my loyal supporters during my first 8K 

even though Alekzander was just along for the ride ... 

and the free bananas.

Bunker Hill Monument on Breed's Hill

 Andrew's up-close views of the Bunker Hill 

& Col. William Prescott monuments

on Breed's Hill

{Did you know that the famous Bunker Hill battle and 

"Don't shoot until you see the white's of the enemies' eyes" tactic

actually took place on Breed's Hill NOT Bunker Hill?}

Andrew's view of Boston from the top of the monument 

opened to the public specifically and exclusively for/during Harbor Fest

{Did you know you can reach the top in just over 2 minutes?
Andrew climbed/ran all 294 steps}

My view of Breed's Hill

{Alekzander fell asleep during the 3 minute drive up 

and over two blocks from our secret parking spot on a Charlestown street}

Shelton Vineyards 10k

 A grownup field trip lead us to Dobson, NC bright and early yesterday morning.  We were on official business:  run 6.2 miles on the roads surrounding Shelton Vineyards, then explore the grounds, and taste some wine.  We were quite successful on all accounts.  Andrew finished in the top 10 overall and was first in his age group; I ran faster than I trained during any of my 115 training miles and finished under one hour.  The winery was beautiful, and the wine was poured generously and drank graciously.