Touch the Tundra '08

Runner Boy has been training and looking forward to a spring 1/2 marathon for months. He and my sister-in-law (Auntie "Q" to the kids) have pounded the pavement, compared injuries and talked strategy along the way.

One of the highlights of the Green Bay 1/2 Marathon is running through Lambeau Field on the way to the finish...imagine circling the field while listening to the theme of Rocky and "We are the Champions" by Queen...exactly what you need when you're gasping for breath dreaming of a brat and beer at the finish...

We arrived Saturday afternoon in time to check out the expo, pick up Runner Boy's bib and time chip and make a sign to cheer family on!

Kate helped me make a sign and proudly displayed it inside the Lambeau Field Atrium. She loved the expo...she found a mat to practice her gymnastics, ate chocolate and found markers and stickers...can you beat that when you're 3 1/2?

Runner Boy got a pre-race pillow massage arranged by Kate. ...note the toddler in the background...he's working on the heating/cooling unit it our room. He jacked up the heat right before we went to bed, so Runner Boy woke up to our room feeling like dry sauna at 2:30 a.m. Thanks to our little maintenance man.

The race started at 7:00 a.m. and included a 5K, 1/2 marathon and full marathon. The kids were packed in our double jog stroller, so I ran around the course trying to catch glimpses of Runner Boy. (I love cheering him on!)

I love watching the elite runners and the ease in which they move...must be due to those great quads. (ever look at the quads on a distance runner...you should...it takes a long time to earn those bad boys.)

Here are 2 of the cutest fans on the course...Kate is looking at the runners (checking out their quads), while Sam studies the cop car nearby.

Here's another elite runner...if you look hard enough, you might see Runner Boy tucked in behind him to draft! Can't see him? look harder...

So, the quads start to burn, the breathing gets irregular and the miles seem endless...just then, Lambeau appears on the horizon. The crowds cheer on the runners, the music starts to pound and the end comes into sight.

Runner Boy and Auntie Q ran a great race. They kept their focus, ran through their pain and finished well! We are so proud of them. My dedicated little fans started to melt down as we waited at the finish line, so they didn't finish quite as well.

Sam pulled it together when a local jazz band started to play and he got a post-race cookie. He munched on his snack, swayed to the music and took in the sights. (Note...we have now switched to winter coats--tundra temperatures.)

The post race party was a great way to celebrate Runner Boy and Auntie Q's success. Auntie Q set a new PR and looked great. What a million dollar look! (Not only can she lay down the miles, but she's a rockin' Mom!)

Here's Runner Boy (cow juice in hand) and his Runner Buddy (fermented hops in hand) comparing race notes. What do you have a post race party in the Frozen Tundra, you ask? ...you know the classics...white, strawberry and chocolate milk...beer...brats...cream soda...cookies...and, oh yeah, the healthy stuff like oranges and bananas.

Runner Boy did fantastic and Kate and Sam were so happy to see their Daddy. He trained for this race while putting his family first, spending time with the kids and working hard.

Daddy you're awesome.