Hey friends, I hope you had a great weekend! I am really excited to tell you all about Ashton’s first race yesterday. There is a local race near us called the Worcester Firefighers 6k that started back in 2000 after 6 firefighters lost their lives battling a fire at the Worcester Cold Storage. Since it’s inception, this race has been a huge local draw. They also offer a Youth 1k race (0.62 miles) and I thought this was the perfect first race for Ashton. Not only would he get to race, but the money goes to a great cause, a win/win for me!
Yesterday morning we left the house at 10 am to drive to Institute Park in Worcester where we picked up his bib and shirt. It was a super quick process and everyone was really sweet. His first bib number was #792
Since we had about a half hour to kill before the race, Ashton requested some time in the moon bounce so he got nice and sweaty before we even started the race! It was getting HOT (in was about 90 degrees when we started the race) so I was pumping him full of water to make sure he was hydrated and I got him all sun-screened up as well.
We spent some time watching the firetrucks raise the flag over the finish line, which was really amazing to see!
Then, the MC called all the youth runners to the starting line and we made our way over there. I had to snap a few pics of him on the starting line.
The MC for the race was awesome, she was getting the kids to sing and dance while we waited for the horn to go off. Once it did, we were off!
I love that the race has free pics, I love that it captured Ashton’s excitement as we started the race. He wanted to hold my hand the whole time…who am I to argue with that??
He started off really strong but towards the turn around area, he was losing steam and saying how hot he was. We stopped and I was carrying water for him just in case which I was glad I did. He took quite a bit of water and then said he wanted to walk. We walked for a little bit and then he asked me to carry him. I didn’t want his first race experience to be a bad one, and it was SUPER hot out, so I grabbed him and started walking. Then of course he said, “Mama, run with me!” So, that is what I did…up a hill, with a 32 lb toddler on my hip. And…this is the picture of us crossing the finish line.
Ashton said he had a lot of fun and asked if we would do it again….music to my ears! I think we will wait until the Fall though, since running in this heat is not ideal. After the race, none of us we up to sit out in the blazing sun to have a BBQ, so I grabbed Ashton a little ice cream cup and we headed back to the car to cool off and head home.
All in all, this was a really special race and I am just so happy to be able to share something I love so much with my boy.
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Question of the day
For the parents–have you raced with your kids?
For non-parents–do you remember your first race?
