My 7 y/o daughter and I went to a 5K for a mom/daughter bonding time. My son was suppose to come along as well but was unable due to a never ending cold.
The morning was brisk but we got there with plenty of time to sign up and hang out. My Saturday running friend Deb also came along as she was going to run with one of my kids while I ran with the other. So we all ran together. As we looked around at the small (200?) group of participants I was looking for any other girls under 10 and saw a sweet little girl we barely beat last weekend. This young lady was the only thing that got my daughter to stop whining and start running last race.
We let the main group of folks take off in front of us before we started our race. I had her doing the Galloway mathod with a 30/30 second run/walk. (Side note: Galloway's wife did 30/30 second ratio at the Calloway Gardens race marathon and finished faster than I ever had.) I digress.
As normal my daughter starts out with a bang. Her small lean legs will carry her at a 7:45 min mile pace (per my Garmin) for 30 seconds. She then spends the next 30 seconds sucking wind while walking. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Mile 2. Going full throttle has started wearing her down. She has gone into whine mode. Time to go to plan A - find a target and tell her to pass it. This normally works until the end of the race....not today
Mile 2.75ish. She has decided that chasing down other participants isn't motivating. She changes the target....my behind...no kidding. Watch says run and I'm now sprinting to keep from being smacked on the rear from my daughter. (Motherhood is not glamorous). Oddly enough, her last mile was her fastest. She found the little girl from the previous weekend and passed her. The little girl recognized my daughter and dropped the hammer as Madison passes her by.
Mile 3. The tall, lean, little girl is now hammering down on Madi. Madi hears her feet closing in, looks over her shoulder, and goes full throttle. The girls have an even pace. My daughter only 2 steps ahead of the other when they cross the line.
Post race: We find the other little girl and her family. We congratulate the young girl on her great race. That seems to help clear up her tears. Shortly there after Madison and Caroline are hanging out, playing, and seemly best buddies. Arrangements have been made to meet up this this young girl and her family once again on Tuesday at the track with our local running club.
Madison takes 3rd in age group. 12:18 min mile pace | 