WIWS, Sunday Best, and a Race Recap

Happy Father's Day!!

We went to Mass twice yesterday, which never makes for a happy baby.  In the morning, we went to a funeral Mass for a coworker's mom, and then back again to the Saturday vigil Mass because we had some big plans for Sunday morning.  I wore this outfit, again.  The kids were actually very well-behaved except for Alexander who has discovered a new trick of trying to slide out of our arms on the way up to Communion.

On Sunday morning, Phil awoke to a table full of homemade cards and some new wicking Polo's (his fave) and we ate a simple breakfast as four of us were about to run in our town's annual Father's Day race.  We usually stand outside our house, which is right on the race route, and hand out water to the runners.  But this year we decided to actually be the runners!

Phil took Andrew and John-Paul to race in the 5k, and I headed out for the 10k by myself.  As much as I run, I don't race too often (one 10k and two half-marathons and that's all I've done) so my nerves and belly were not cooperating all morning.  Since I knew running 6.2 miles wasn't going to be an issue, I was focused on my time, and wanted to get below 54 minutes, but secretly hoped for closer to 52 minutes (8:30 pace).  

It was a sunny and pretty hot day, and I was thirsty before the race even started.  Not to mention unprepared for a monthly visitor who came literally ten minutes before the race was to start.  Thank God for the sweet lady He sent to be next to me in the bathroom line who ran all the way back to her car to get some supplies to help me out.  So it looked like it was going to be a long and hard race, and I seriously contemplated just running the 5k with Phil and the boys.  But I got separated from them in the beginning and just ran the 10k route.  

Once I got past all the parents pushing strollers (I know it's Father's Day but maybe they could line up at the back next time?  It's really hard to navigate through that maze.) I finally settled in at a good pace at mile 2 and with the exception of a couple hills slowing me down, held it for the remainder of the run.    I took water at every single water station, and ran through every hose.  It was awesome.  I kept thanking God for two legs to run on, family that supported my exercise habits, a wonderful babysitter who was watching the littles for us, a gorgeous day, etc. etc.  

At mile 3, I saw my sister and her kids and my kids in front of our house handing out water like champs.  I made sure to take a cup from both Eamon and Maggie so there would be no hurt feelings, and my sister captured these funny pics.

I finished the race with a sprint, and then completely forgot to turn off my garmin!  I walked around for a minute before turning it off, so I think my time was right around 52 minutes, which is a PR for me.  When I went to check the official race results, I'm not even on the list!  I think I will be emailing the racing company about that oversight and hopefully they can "find" my time?  At least I have photo proof that I finished!

I met up with John-Paul and Andrew and Phil, who ran their 5k in 32:36!!  Pretty great times for an 8 and 10 year old with hardly any training.  They did awesome, and were so proud of themselves.  We walked home and showered and then went out for a yummy brunch buffet.  

We run to eat.

Now it's rest time at Casa Martin, and so I'm going to take a quick nap while the baby daddy relaxes with the sports channel.  What a great day :)