Let Freedom Run

This morning Kira, Calvin, Jeff & I ran the Provo Freedom Festival 5k. It was Kira's & Calvin's first 5k. They did great! We had to get up at 5:30am to get down to Provo in time to pick up our race packets and be to the starting line by 7:00am but that kind of made it all the more adventurous. (I had a YW in our ward come babysit at 5:30am, impressive for her, huh? Would I have done that at 15?) Anyway, we got our bibs & t-shirts and walked the 5 blocks to the starting line. It was one big party. There were people all decked out in red, white & blue in the craziest costumes. One guy even ran in an Uncle Sam costume on stilts! They had a flag ceremony & we did the Pledge of Allegiance and sang our National Anthem. It was quite a patriotic start. While we were waiting to start and beginning the run, they were launching all of the hot air balloons right above us. Another bonus: at the starting line, we were lined up right by Governor Herbert. I almost asked for his autograph. ;)

Calvin was determined to win his age division. When he started to slow down, he saw 2 boys about his same age and he absolutely poured it on. I could barely keep up with him while he weaved in and out of people to beat those two boys. About a half a mile later he slowed to a jog and the two boys pulled ahead. He turned to me and said, "Why do you only get a medal if you win?" He was pretty bummed. When I told him EVERYONE gets a medal, he perked right up and we started running again.

Overall, we ran a pretty slow pace (we averaged a 12 minute mile). The kids ran hard the first 1.5 miles but then they kind of got into a sprint/walk rhythm. It was hard to convince them to pace themselves so they could just run the entire time. Oh well. They barely complained and actually ran almost the entire time. I thought they did great for 2 miles of training.

The run went mostly along the Freedom Festival parade route so people were cheering for us (and the other 4500 people running) the entire time. It was a REALLY fun family experience. The kids felt great finishing. Once we got within a quarter mile or so of the finish, we could hear the band and cheering and the announcer so the kids really poured it on and we finished strong. The four of us crossed the finish line together holding hands & cheering. Cheesy, but fun!

They gave everyone medals which Calvin & Kira thought was pretty awesome. Of course they went straight for the food & drinks afterward. I, of course, ran straight to the car to get the camera so I could take some pictures. Pathetic, I know. 30 years from now I'll be happy I did, right? :)

I think one of my highlights was watching Jeff go out and dance by the band all by himself. He was gettin' his groove over by us and we "dared" him to go out in the front all by himself and go all out. He was laughing and a tiny bit hesitant. When I told him "I've got my camera!" that's all it took to convince him to go boogie down. The kids laughed, Kira started to get embarrassed. People laughed. (Nobody else danced before or after) :) How did I end up with such a performer? He is so funny!

And how could we leave Provo without a "well-earned" (5k, ha ha ha) stop at Krispy Kreme?

Pre-race at Kiwanis Park in Provo.

Jeff gettin' jiggy after the race. The band was pretty good. Good enough to dance to! :)

Click on the picture to get a larger view of Jeff entertaining the crowd.

Kira a little embarrassed by her Dad. Get used to it kid!

Calvin thinks Dad's dancing is pretty funny.

At the drive-thru at Krispy Kreme.