It's been two weeks since the Sailin' Shoes 10K race and with a raging wildfire, evacuation drama and my 41st birthday party in between, I just now got around to checking the official results. I was already aware that my 9-year-old son placed third in his age group due to his obsession and diligence in poring over the fresh, white sheets posted on the wall near the finish line. However, what I didn't expect was that my 11-year-old daughter, Ali, with whom I had run and encouraged along the route, managed to place first in her age group as the only female competitor in the 14 and under division! 

While being 1 of 1 isn't always a feather in the cap of some, I felt tremendous pride knowing that she could be rewarded for the exceptional effort and courage I knew she displayed. After all, Ali has never considered herself a runner and quite frankly, walked the majority of the course.  However, it was only the second 10K she'd ever completed, with the first being the Bolder Boulder only a couple of weeks before. With a personal record of 1:29, she hardly qualifies as even a slow jogger, but I firmly believe that success comes not in what you receive, but in what you give. In other words, it isn't about what fantastic time you can get from the clock, but rather what perseverance and effort you put into the cause. In this case, I watched her give her all - heart, mind and determination.  She overcame preconceptions about herself, learned to work through disappointment and most importantly, how to exude positivity and humor in even the most uncomfortable circumstances. I'd just bought her some real running shoes the day before (I know - BAD MOMMA), so she had that to deal with, along with the fact that her little brother was already nearly a mile ahead of her at the half (kudos to my little man as well, who finished with a 1:15 - GO ERIC!). Both of my kids ran with enthusiasm -- my son, with his usual self-generated confidence, and Ali, with a little assistance and entertainment on my part.  

When I noticed her struggling early on Cascade Avenue, I began a little game to get her going. I declared that all open intersections must be sprinted though, military style, as if trying to get out of an open line of fire.  I'd scream and run wildly each time, crazily waving my arms and taking her giggling and huffing through each one as I promised to embarrass her with a combat roll at the end if she didn't follow along. Later, I sang every song I could think of from Grease until she begged me to stop. "Run and I'll stop singing.  Walk and I'm belting it out" was my consistent threat. (I think my voice was actually beginning to get a little hoarse by the end of the race, but I love that movie, nonetheless.) 

As we passed the section where the 5K runners peeled off and headed back, she became aware that she was at the VERY back of the 10K pack, with only two people behind.  (One of them was my 8-year-old step-son, Tyler, who I must also brag finished the entire race almost completely on his own, without a personal cheerleader or assistance until his dad doubled back to accompany him for the last mile or so. GO TYLER!) She was a bit disappointed with this fact until I pointed out that there are many grown-ups I know that still don't dare to attempt a 10K without months and months of training and she was basically doing it on a whim with no experience whatsoever. 

As we made our last turn onto Tejon Street and saw the finish line looming ahead, I begged her to start running and even asked one of the policemen on the course if I could escape child abuse charges for dragging her the rest of the way, if necessary.  (He said it was all good - drag away!)  Ali laughed and began to pick up some speed. We crossed the finish line at a full sprint, a huge smile across her face and a demand for a chocolate reward immediately after crossing the finish mat (this is how I know she's my daughter). 

Although running with Ali put me very last in my own age group, I couldn't have been happier with the results.  Seeing my kids run is more than just teaching them exercise.  It is a lesson in confidence, perseverance and pride. Although I am in the midst of completing the Triple Crown Series for those very same personal reasons, I don't know if I'll do many more races just for me.  Currently, I am enjoying the brief phase where my kids are old enough to explore and still young enough to want me around to do it. I love taking them to races and watching them learn something about themselves every time.  

And one day in the future, long after I'm gone, I'm hoping Ali will remember her Sailin' Shoes trophy and perform a combat roll during a race, in my honor. :)