running with angels 5k

We finally got to run this race as a family! Mark & I have wanted to do this for a long time. We've always had other commitments on this particular weekend, but somehow things worked out this year and we all had this weekend free. We ran in memory of Jordan and Cole. Ryan and Jared were on their own, Mark ran alongside Jacob (who ran the whole thing, BTW) and I pushed Matthew in the stroller. The course is actually one of the tougher 5k routes around, in my opinion (and that's not just because I was pushing a stroller!) because it has lots of hills, varied terrain -- asphalt, cobblestone, cement, gravel -- and lots of people squished together on the narrow trail. They've changed the course a bit over the years and it now includes a VERY steep (40 foot rise over 75 yards) hill on a gravel trail just 100 yards from the finish line. After pushing the stroller over all the cobblestone and then coming to that hill, I thought I might not make it. The hill was tough. I walked and pushed hard. There was no way I was stopping because I knew I'd never get started again. And then I made it to the top and ran to the finish! Woohoo! I think the organizers of the race like that hill because it teaches a life lesson. I would not be surprised if this route with the hill is used again in future races. We've all faced some tough hills (trials) in our lives, but we've made it! Even though this course is a "harder" one, it is one of the best races out there because there are lots of families (allowing strollers), everyone is there supporting a charitable cause, and 99% come to remember and honor their special angel babies. And if you're into goodie bags and finish line treats, this race can't be beat! There was one family there that had everyone from newborns to great-grandparents running the course (they all had on matching yellow t-shirts) -- you can't ask for more family support than that! The goodies included reuseable shopping bags, water bottles, t-shirts, chapstick, lotion, hand sanitizer, coupons, and notepads. The finish line treats included ice cream, popsicles, bagels, fruit, water, vitamin water, chips and who knows what else! This is the only time I can think of when I thought it was definitely OK to have ice cream for breakfast!
I asked some guy to take our picture and he totally left Matthew out of it! Sheesh -- he was wearing a number and everything, even if he was sitting in the stroller. Oh well.
Me, Matthew, and Jacob showing off our shirts!