FIRST RACE POST BABY

Today I had my first race post Squeaker (who turned 2 months yesterday).

Happy 2 Months kid!

(thanks to Debbie the Great Aunt for the hat and socks)

Today was also the Peanut's first official half mile kid's race. We have signed her up for kid's races in the past only to be met with a "I don't want to run" or "I am scared of the dressed up mascots chasing me." Now, at the ripe old age of  3 ... the Peanut was ready. She practiced earlier this week with me at our local track. Last night, she said she was ready and excited. Let's recap HER race first and then come back to me later because really, HER photos are much cuter than mine.

Before going to bed last night, I told the Peanut she needed to get a good night's sleep because we had to get up early and because she had a race. I pretty much jinxed myself right there. She woke up THREE times last night and for the first time ... she ended up sleeping in our bed. 12:45 am - I helped her go potty, 1:30 am - I snuggled with her for a few minutes, 2:00 am - she is eerily standing at my bed side freaking me out (this is where I just pulled her into bed with us) and then when I got up with Squeaker (who, ahem, can sleep through the night mostly) at 2:30 am ... the Peanut was STILL awake.

Needless to say when the alarm went off, three out of the four of us were exhausted but we loaded the car and headed to Sacramento's River Park for the Susan B. Anthony 5K run. I have done this run for years because I love the area and I love seeing my old running buddies from Buffalo Chips.

Van's dropped us off because we only had a few minutes to spare before the gun went off for the Peanut's race. Luckily, Van's caught the start to give you the following photo display of the race.

The start

I barely had time to get our goody bag before they started the race

Go Peanut Go!

(she wanted to hold my hand at first)

Vans was left with the Squeaker

On the home stretch!

She sees the finish and takes off!

Finished!

So proud of my girl!

(ignore the puffy sleepy mommy please)

Yea, I own that! I ran a half mile!

The rest of the morning she kept saying "I ran a half mile!" I think she's pretty darn proud of herself. Upon crossing the finish line however she noticed something ... her favorite "something" in the whole world ...

A FREE bounce house!

While Vans let the Peanut bounce, I headed to the start of the Women's 5K. I ran into a few Buffalo Chippers along the way. I love the running community, no matter how much time as passed, it is always nice to see old running buddies.

I had no intentions for this race. No goals other than to run and to see how hard I could run. Today was supposed to be my "tempo" run but I knew that I would probably just run and not focus on my pace. I knew that I was about 8 weeks post baby. Ironically, I ran my first 5K post-Peanut when she was 6 weeks old.

June 2008, 6 week old Peanut

5K 25:11/8:07 mile

Wow, that seems like ages ago but I would be lying if internally, I didn't have the same "wish" of sorts in mind. I had no idea what my 2008 time was until after I ran today's race but I knew how I felt running it and wanted the same for this race. When they blew the horn, all bets were off and I just started running.

The Peanut found a prime spot and just waited for me to finish.

I barely looked at my garmin. I only looked at it when I hit the mile markers which consequently looked like this:

Mile 1: 7:41 pace "What they hell!? Where did that come from? This can't be good."
Mile 2: 8:11 pace "Yup, that's what I thought. I'm dying. How long is a 5K again?"
Mile 3: 8:24 pace "Oh thank god, I see the finish!"

Go Mommy Go!

You did it Mommy!

Unofficial Results - 8 week old Squeaker

5K 25:10/8:02 Mile

The girls post race!

(man I look like I need more sleep!)

I still have a long way to go before I reach my 5K PR (22:27/7:14 mile) which was achieved almost a year after the Peanut was born. Still, I am happy with today. Considering the struggle to get back into running, the lack of sleep and having the two most beautiful girls in the world (I am a bit biased), I cannot complain about today's results. The end result was better than expected.

The Peanut was also extremely happy with her results. We stopped at Grandma & Poppa's house and she happily told them she ran a half mile today. I should have her run a half mile more often ...maybe she'd sleep better ... or maybe not ...

Seriously? How is this comfortable?

When we arrived home, just like this morning, 3 out of 4 of us were exhausted again ... the only one not exhausted was Squeaker.

Okay. We're home. Let's play!