Team To The Moon and Back

So today was the day that my "baby" officially became an Iron Girl.  Today my beautiful, smart, determined, and mostly competitive 4 and 3/4 yr. old little girl finished her first 5k.  She told me a few months ago that she wanted a "big girl" medal, so I signed her up for the Clearwater Beach Iron Girl 5k.  I wasn't sure what to expect other than to finish a fun run with my best girl.

The weather was terrible.  Quite literally, severe for the hours leading up to race day. I was up most of the night watching the weather as it jumped from tornado wacthes to tornado warnings.  The tornado watch expired at 7:00 am, which was good because our race started at 7:30 am.  By the time we got to the starting line, the weather was chilly, 70 degrees for Florida, and overcast.  As all runners know that equals PERFECT running weather.  We stayed to the back of the line because I knew we would be slower than most and I didn't want Sarah to be trampled by the PR driven runners. 

The announcer said go and we were off.  What a GREAT feeling to be sharing this experience with my only baby.  It was almost hard to hold back the tears as she naturally just took off running. 

As we were running through the streets of Clearwater, I reminded Sarah that if she ran up on someone that was going slower than her, she could go safely around them.  This was something that caused a collision for her and another little boy in the Creaky Bones race in October last year.  She did great.  She was weaving in and out of the runners like she had done it before.  And then we got to the Memorial Causeway.  Causeways are Florida's version of hills.  We decided to walk up.

After enjoying our view from the top we decided to run down.  Sarah had become VERY tired by this point and really wanted a drink.  I guess the sugary, gummy snacks I fed her on the way up didn't do anything for her thirst.  Thankfully the water station was at the bottom of the causeway so I used that as motivation and it worked.  :) 
We took our water break and pushed forward.  She decided that she wanted to sit for a bit, but I reminded her of the "turtle and the rabbit" and that we had to keep moving.  So, once again, my mom mind kicked in and challenged her to a "race" to the nearest sign or palm tree.  That kept her fairly focused...until it didn't and then we played tag.  She was ready to see the finish by mile 2, but still in good spirits.  I credit that to the many amazing women running/walking along with us that thought she was cute and kept cheering her on.  I can't thank them enough!

After mile 2, we were practically at the finish and we could hear the cheering and the music.  Once I told Sarah that the finish line was around the corner, she pulled all of her runner girl power out and RAN!!!  I was happy to keep up with her, especially after being sick for a week and still recovering from the cough, but somehow I managed.  We finished our race, her first real race, TOGETHER and it was amazing!!! 
I don't like to brag, BUT I'm so proud of Team To the Moon and Back's time, I just can't help myself.  We finished in 53:16!!! WAHOO!!!!  I was just so happy to share that "nice little run" with my daughter and then something hit me...pretty hard.  Four and a half years ago, when I ran my first 5k, I ran it in about 51 minutes.  I truly thought I was running and I was; just as fast as I could go. 

It appears that I have a runner!  Sarah truly is amazing and I am such a blessed mommy to have such a special little girl to call my own.  I'm looking forward to seeing her grow into her own runner girl. 
Thanks for reading and I'll see you at the races!!!