Running Cross Country

Pete and I try to make sure that the kids are always involved in extra-curricular activities, such as soccer, baseball, gymnastics, piano or something else which takes a lot of time and costs a lot of money. Or, as Pete puts it "they need to be doing something". For the past few months Jack has been participating in a cross country workshop, which has mostly consisted of learning how to warm-up, stretch, pace, cool-down, etc. while being a runner. Jack has been joining Pete on a few runs lately, and when the opportunity to participate in this workshop came up, Jack seemed excited about it, as were we. Cross country was one of Pete's high school sports , did I mention he holds the record at Upland High School for being the 14th fastest runner (in something) in the school's history (as of 1987)? I have the plaque to prove it, I'm sure his record still stands....

Anyway, today for the final class they held a cross country meet, the first one that Jack has taken part in. We all came to the chilly park to cheer them on.


Here's Jack getting ready to run, wearing a new white hat representing the LF (Lake Forest) which he has just won. (no, not in a race, but in a warm up game of Sharks and Minnows)

While waiting for Jack's division (aka the "orange" division) to run, the little boys play at the park

Jed just hanging out

Henry jumping

Jack's group was the last to run today, here they are ready for the starting siren

and they're off!

The course was about 2 kilometers, or about 1.2 miles around the park.
Jack was a steady second the entire time - well ahead of the rest of the group, but well behind the number one kid.

Coming into the final stretch, cheered on by grandpa and grandma.
It's all downhill from here!

Arriving second at the finish line, with a time of 11:14.
Great job, Jack!!

Getting a congratulatory hug and head pat from some of his biggest fans

with his proud mom and dad
(notice there are still runners coming in behind us)

the awards ceremony - getting his medal

a picture with his group
(the kid in yellow was the first place runner)

a medal, a new hat, and a slice of pepperoni pizza for a job well done