Just Win if You Want to Win

Saturday was the 1 year anniversary of my first half marathon. I didn't run another half or anything but we did take Olivia down to the race to see the expo and get her into the free Kid's Mini Marathon. Maggie would eventually call it 26.2 yards of pure determination.

Olivia loves my races, she gets caught up in the excitement of being a fan, the cheering, the noise, and seeing people determined enough to finish the thing. It doesn't matter if it's 26.2 yards of 26.2 miles; Olivia is a ball of cheering energy. This Saturday, though, she was the star; the runner; the racer; the winner of her age group.

Buffalo Marathon hosts a short, free, run for the kids. Generally this would be for the runners but we opted in for the nice day, free family fun, and Olivia's enjoyment. We got down there early and walked the expo (still underwhelming) and signed her up for the race. I guessed wrong about the crowd and we ended up bumping around downtown for about an hour.

Olivia pulling ahead of the pack.

Race time came and Olivia was determined. She did a few dashes to warm up, stretched, and did a few other odd things to get loose. She's such a goof and clearly has her own brand of fun. I took my place at the finish leaving Olivia and Maggie at the start. We all waited for the four-year old girls heat.

In the meanwhile, though, Olivia cheered on the younger kids in her typical exuberant manner. She loves to cheer (and I look forward to see her and Maggie cheering on my races) and she was probably the loudest in the starting line crowd.

The race director called for four-year old girls and Olivia lined up front and center. The RD started them and Olivia bolted for the finish line. On such a short course, I almost missed the shot.

Here she comes, determined, fast, and focused. She's a terrific runner and I'm glad she enjoys the excitement of races and running. Physically, she's comfortable run/walking about 1.5 miles. It is a good foundation, she's set a goal to run a 5K with Dad this Fall. We'll run/walk it together, but I'll be super proud to cross the line with her.

"Just Win if You Want to Win"


In Cincinnati's Flying Pig while Maggie and Olivia waited for me to come across the finish, Olivia took to cheering for all the runners with this encouragement, "Just Win if You Want to Win."

Well, Olivia wanted to win so she flew down the course. At the end she told me and Maggie how proud she was of herself. We were too. Her sense of self is developing nicely and what matters to her is how she feels about herself.

After crossing the line, she grabbed some hard earned cookies, a little hug and the obligatory race banana.

She runs again next week in another free event for kids in Delaware park. We'll wrap that up with a 1.8 mile walk around the park together as a family.