Free To Breathe

Lee and Holly have faithfully been getting up before the sun for over 6 weeks to hit the road running. Yesterday that training with dad time paid off for Holly.

They ran Holly's first 5K. A little more than 3 miles.

Holly was a bundle of nerves and excitement here before the race. She said she had several goals including but not limited to no crying, no puking and not finishing last.

And they're off.... some where in that crowd.

It was a beautiful day for a run if you enjoy that kind of torture. Evidently over 700 people here in Jax find it enjoyable. At least that many people turned out to run in the Free To Breathe 5K which benefitted lung cancer research.

There they are over on the left coming in to the home stretch. Lee reports that Holly was the official race cheerleader. Every time they would pass someone who had stopped to walk or seemed to be struggling she'd shout out some encouragement. "You're doin' great! or You're half way there, don't give up!" What a kid. She's mine... so proud! She also made several friends along the way chatting up strangers. At the finish line there were lots of hugs with people I've never seen before. I think running must bring out the best in her strangely enough.

Finished! Yatta!!!

Her goal was to finish in under 36 minutes. Her official time was 32:57 I think. Lee finished right behind her but Holly's new buddy was blocking him in this photo.

He's a great dad! He could have left her to run on her own and finished 8-10 minutes sooner but he trotted along right next to her the whole way. He did not even let getting passed by a few stroller moms get to him! What a guy, AGAIN....So Proud! He laughed later about thinking that Holly would need encouragement to finish strong. As it turned out she was the one doing all the encouraging to her fellow racers.

They finished 231 and 232 in a group of about 700.

My strong finishers

Me: So Holly, would you do it again?

Holly: Absolutely! When's the next one? I'm ready!

I think she's got the bug.