So, Cheryl ran the Reed's Lake Run today. I should say Run(s), because she ran a 5 K followed by a 10 K. Supposedly there was not going to be a finisher's medal for this race, so if Cheryl wanted to get something for the trophy wall, she had to win an age group award. And that was going to be tough! Because there were quite a few decent runners at these two races. The Best she had hoped for was third place in the 10K, given last year's results.
So, with a little bit of determination, we headed out this morning and prepared for war! Or I should say: A really uncertain, hard race. Cheryl's Family was going to catch us for the 10 K, but the 5K stared too early. Cheryl and I were on our own. I should note that the first thing I noticed on the way to the start line were the Kenyans in the Superfly Nike shoes!
The competition was going to be tough! Any race Kenyans show up for means you can kiss the first couple of slots goodbye. Luckily, there were only 2 females in the mix. And they might not have been in Cheryl's age group.
As the race progressed, I managed to catch her at several points along the route. She was doing well and seemed o be near the front, though there were certainly a number of women ahead of her (including the two Kenyans!) I raced towards the finish line.
Upon finishing, she discovered that there was, indeed, a Finisher's Medal. She was very excited. at this same time, we linked up with her family and chatted about the 5K and all the little things that happened. Turns out, she had missed a new PR for the 5K by only a 10 seconds! She was fairly confident she was going to get some type of age group award.
About an hour after the 5K started, the 10K was supposed to kick off. This time, I had a small Cheering Squad to help me motivate Cheryl on. She though there was a high probability that she would not do as well running the 10K after running the 5K so fast. We all braced for her to crash and burn on the longer distance after burning up all her energy earlier. But we were wrong....
No only did she perform well, she finished near the time to actually win another age group award. She was very excited as we cheered her on near the finish line.
After finishing and gathering her second Finisher's Medal, Cheryl checked out the results from the 5K. Turns out she had, indeed, won an age group award. Second place! Second only to "Super Girl" The female who won all the awards last year.
After killing a little more time, they posted the 10K results and Cheryl discovered she had won another age group award! This time FIRST PLACE! Turns out, "Super Girl" had won the overall Master's and Cheryl went from second place to first place. Again, she was second only to "Super Girl" but this time she won the first place in her age group because "Super Girl" got promoted! Hey! First place is still a win in my book...
So, With the 4 medals ( 4 MEDALS!) , we linked up with the Fam at the only logical place to celebrate such an awesome performance: Krispy Kreme Donuts!
Cheryl was practically drooling and licking the glass as the freshly made donuts rolled by. To get in the festive spirit, we donned on the Krispy Kreme Hats. The entire Fam join in on the fun. We shared stories and did all that "family stuff" that families do after the Oldest daughter wins 4 Medals. ( 4 MEDALS!) and then we headed off to the next mark.
After a shower and change of clothes, we headed to Andy and Tonya's for some video games and kitten play time. ( Sorry, no pictures. but those cats are so friendly and fun.) and then back to Cheryl's Parents.
A cookout, swapping of the stories, wrestling with the "Smart TV", and general catching up of events pretty much sums up the remainder of the day. There were lawn darts, Nerf footballs, Burned s'mores, Burned Burgers, and room temperature food. Overall: a great time! And best of all, Cheryl won 4 Medals. ( 4 MEDALS!) to add to her "Most Awesome Wife and Oldest Daughter That Runs" wall. I can't wait to display them and tell everyone I know, including the total strangers I encounter in the HyVee later. I'm sure they will be impressed.
So that is all from Michigan. We not only cleared the hurdle of running the races and entertaining the Fam, we also are bringing home 4 Medals. (4 MEDALS!) when we thought there was a possibility, nay, a high PROBABILITY, that we may come home with nothing. But Cheryl pulled through and won us fame, fortune, and the highly prized recognitions that she so richly deserves. Chery's Dad says it's because she is "Iowa Corn Fed" Like eating a cob of corn will make all the difference... Who knows? Perhaps there is something in the water of Iowa... But chances are that will NOT improve your run. It could also be the shoes, but there were a number of other people wearing the shoes today, and Cheryl still managed to beat them all! Yeah!
Well, the Beer is gone and I'm exhausted! Time to wrap this up and get some shut-eye. There will be a long drive tomorrow, and I really want to be alert for the drive home. Thanks for stopping in and hopefully everyone is having an equally Awesome Weekend. See ya then!
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