Following in her mama and dada's footsteps….

 I have yet to post much about myself….and this one will only be partly about myself ;)  After nearly ten years of running at the same pace and mostly the same distance, I decided to actually train for a half-marathon last year and increase my speed.  Last year’s training was dream-like: I had a friend to run and chat with, I didn’t get injured, every new milestone fueled me to go faster and further (there was only one super hot and humid long run that my watch wasn’t working properly so we couldn’t even see how many miles we had been that didn’t go so smoothly)!! This year I decided to tackle the marathon….I am six weeks into the training plan and have gotten shin splints for the first time and feel like I am on the verge of getting blisters, and the runs aren’t quite as dreamy!  With that being said, I have also PR’d for 5Ks and 5-milers this year, which feels great. 

Most of the time I run in the morning before Little Roo wakes up, but on occasion I take her and the BOB stroller for a spin (a worthy investment for anyone who wants to run with baby in tow).  Yesterday I decided to run to the local high school track to do some speed work.  She enjoys riding in the stroller while I am running, even asks for more “running” when we slow down or stop.  The plan was to run there, then have her play, look at books, and have a little snack in the field while I ran around the track.  We had done this once before, when my husband was able to come along.  At first, she was content eating her snack.

Once her snack was gone, she was more interested in clapping for me and bringing me my water bottle. I think her "coaching" is one of the sweetest acts…when her dad was there, he was doing that and it amazes me that after seeing him do it once, she followed suit!  What a testament to modeling the behavior we want to see.  While I also realize I am modeling healthy habits, I would rather her see kindness in action and apply it than have her be a runner!

Eventually, she wanted to run, too!! Training for the next Kid's Fun Run?!