Saturday, September 16, 2006

5K Surprise

I'm not a runner, but Papa Rooster loves it--and he's trying hard to inspire his sons! He's been taking them running with him, on and off, for the last two summers.

So this morning Papa Rooster, Bantam 7 and Bantam 15 ran a 5K together--Bantam 15's first one, and Bantam 7's second. (It would have been Bantam 11's first one, too, but he had play practice.) Both boys finished very respectably, Papa Rooster thought, so they hung around for the awards at the end. He thought Bantam 7 had a very good chance of winning his age group.

As it turned out, a 14-year-old won the 14-and-under category...with Bantam 7 a close second!

Basking in the moment, they were all completely unprepared for the announcement that the winner of the 15-to-19 year old category was--Bantam 15!

We are amazed. (And thinking that probably many in his age bracket were running at the other 5K in our area this morning.) Bantam 15 has only run this distance (a little over 3 miles) a few times with Papa Rooster. Earlier this summer, he'd reluctantly go a mile or so with Dad and his brothers, then drop back and walk the rest of the way home. He's only run the whole way the last few times that they've run together, preparing for this race. Papa Rooster said he really just gutted it out in order to stay with him and Bantam 7. We are so proud of him...and thankful to God for the encouragement of this victory!

Bantam 7 finished in such great shape--hardly breathing--and so close to the winner, that we can't help but think Bantam 11 would have won that division. He's usually the first one to arrive in my kitchen after a run, red and sweating, with his well-earned can of Lemon-Lime in hand.

Oh, didn't I mention that we bribe them to run? Our kids aren't allowed to have pop very often, and there's not much they wouldn't do for their very own cold can of carbonated, sweetened something-or other!

Bantam 15, however, has agreed to lose a few pounds by eating minimal sugar, fat and bread (and exercising more)...so he's learning to acquire a more grown-up taste for sparkling water like LaCroix or Canfield's, which contain no sugar. We couldn't be more proud of him!

Way to go, sons!!

6 comments:

Spunky said...

Way to go. And I think your kids deserve a little ice cream with the pop! I

5KidMom said...

That is awesome! Congratulations to all!!!

Donna Boucher said...

Conratulations to your young runners!

Has your family watched Chariots of Fire? I haven't seen it in ages but it is about running and features a storyline about Christian runner named Eric Liddle.

At A Hen's Pace said...

Oh yes--we watched it this summer!

It's funny--I thought it would feel kind of dated (the synthesizer theme music kind of is now) and I wasn't sure how well the kids would get into it. They loved it, though, and not just because of the running.

To me, it wasn't as long as I remembered it.

Islandsparrow said...

I love the quote from "Chariots of Fire" Eric Liddell says to his sister "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure."

Congratulations to your boys!!

Donna Boucher said...

Oh yes!!! Thank you for remembering that quote. I can never remember it...but deep down I know it's there...a very special quote!!!