Jog-A-Thon

Today our three big kids ran in their school's annual jog-a-thon. In the past this has been quite the anticipated event. Cade would get very nervous about beating his lap count from the previous year and beating his classmates (both which he accomplished the last 4 years) and Gabrielle would also get a little nervous wanting to be the top girl in her class (which she has been since 1st grade). This year both Cade and Elle decided to take it a little easier. Cade's knee has been bothering him lately with tendinitis so he planned to walk it. And Gabrielle just decided she would run some and walk some because she had practice later in the day. Willem didn't say much about it (typical Willem). I was happy it would be a much more relaxed event without any kids stressing about it days and weeks beforehand and without me having to help pace the kids or even run with them.

Cade ended up walking but still did 18 laps in an hour (really 17 as they give credit for one extra). Gabrielle jogged much of it and also walked a little but still was the top girl in her class with 22 laps. 

And then there's Willem. He did not want me to run with him, he never complained the whole event and never even asked me how he was doing. He just ran and ran and ran. I was amazed he completed 29 laps in the one hour event! Without the 1st free lap, that's 28 full laps in an hour or seven miles for our little 7 year old! I asked him after if it was hard or if he got tired and he gave me an definite YES but you would never have guessed it watching him power through the hour running the whole time on his own. Way to go Willem!

 Willem cruising away in his indoor soccer shoes. Had I known he'd run so far, i'd have gotten him some running shoes. In the past Cade would stress about things like that but Willem just put on his soccer shoes and ran.

Gabrielle jogged with Kyndsi most of the time 

 Cade hamming it up for the camera

 Willem with some of his classmates after the run