Competition Anyone?

Saturday, March 13, the boys participated in the annual "Run for the Music." This is a one mile kids race that benefits the KU band. We have been gearing up for this race for weeks now. This is their third year running it, so they know what to expect and the excitement is free to mount. Weather and time permitting (and this is a liberal assessment, spring in Klamath Falls means snow, rain, sun, and wind -- sometimes all in the same day) in the days leading up to the big race the boys would ask me to drop them off about a mile from our house so they could run the rest of the way home as part of their training. This is an uphill mile, so it is a pretty good work out.

Race morning dawned clear, but icy cold. Containing the boys' excitement was difficult. I was still in the shower when the boys kept coming in asking if I thought these shorts, or these pants would be faster. They really wanted to wear "fast" shorts, but due to the temperature which would top out at 38 degrees on Saturday and wasn't quite past freezing in the morning I persuaded them to go for some "fast" sweatpants.

When we arrived, the boys were anxious to get themselves to the starting line. Both boys required some last minute bib number adjustments, but then they were off. I took my time getting to the starting line, chatting with friends, etc. When I got there my Oregon boys were really, really ready. They had both negotiated a position at the front of the pack. I took the time before the start to snap a few pictures, but the boys only begrudgingly participated. Perhaps they thought I was holding up the start? At last, with a blast of the trumpet, the racers were underway.

The race would encompass two extended laps of the KU track. C was in third place overall, second in his age division, as he completed the first lap. You could see the pain and determination written all over his face. His lungs were burning from the cold, but he wouldn't be giving up. I don't know where K was in the pack, but when he finished his first lap, he was clutching his side and his red cheeks betrayed the pain in his lungs from the icy cold air.

Near the finish line C was pushing hard, but had fallen back just a bit. He finished 4th overall and 2nd in his age division. K finished well before I expected him to. I was still busy snapping finish-line photos of C when I realized K was already in the finishing chute. So unfortunately I don't have pictures of his final sprint to post. But from the red faces I am assured that both boys worked very hard and tried their best.

K finished 8th overall and 1st in his age division! Congratulations boys, you are both great competitors. Here is a shot of K modeling his 1st place medal.

At the awards ceremony K claimed his medal and later won a cool Captain America wall sticker in the drawing. C won 3 free ice cream cones from Baskin Robbins in the drawing. A pretty good morning.