Another weekend with a race for Son & Mom. StephenvilleLions Spooktacular 5K & 10K. Almost 120 miles away from home, a good reason
to plan a full day trip and adventure spending night in a hotel.
There were also other couple special facts. Even previous
Son & Mom races could be included on the book, this particular race was
going to be first one with the fiction running book on mind; and last one
before mom’s surgery week after.
Departing time: Friday, Oct 24, 2014 at 5:24 pm. Mom knew
they were going to catch peak hours but important tasks such as checking out
and printing hotel information, race schedule, race location, race courses, places
to visit, eat and activities to do after race as a way to reward son for his
effort and company. Additionally, as running fiction book will be based on
Greek mythology stories, something running mom is totally ignorant about,
driving time was wisely be invested on listening and learning about Greek Gods
and Goddesses. So extra minutes added to get audio book into mom’s phone.
All set up. Time to leave home. Car engine turned on. It
took only few miles for Greek crew to fill the car. Gaia and Uranus followed by the Titans.
Cronus with his five brothers and six sisters, followed by one-eyed Cyclopes.
Gaia convincing son Cronus to do something terrible to his father. Too much!
After a couple chapters mom decided to lock Greek Gods inside mom’s phone and
switch to music. Since he has already learn everything about Greek mythology in
school, instead of listening the audio book with mom, Nick was reading his 39
Clues book.
“Nick, would you mind
if I put back the Calculating God audio book you listened part with me the
other day?”, asked mom that didn't want to bother son on his reading.
“No. please put that back” said Nick. “I want to listen what
is happening with those aliens”. “Great!” replied mom “I am glad we like we can
enjoy the same audio book.”
It was already time to leave aliens and paleontologist in
the car and go grab something for dinner. We had been driving under the stars
for a while. We stopped in Granbury for some delicious Asian food after which
we drove for almost an hour more until our final destination, Stephenville.
Time was moving fast so son and mom went to bed. No TV.
Wake up call at 6:00 am. Son and mom had breakfast. Hotel
was only few blocks from race “We have time to drive the course” said mom. 15
minutes after they arrived at race’s start & finish location with a view of
5k and 10k courses. Lot of hills up with few hills down. Several turns but
perfectly marked with blue for 5k, white for 10k and yellow for the half.
“After driving it, this 10k course felt like never ending” thought mom,
“anyways, last three green miles (surrounded by trees and country land) end
with a sweet downhill mile and only few yards up hill to cross finish line are
going to be the ‘this is what you are here for, mom!’.”
Packages picked up. Cute lion bibs immediately clipped in
and rest of items dropped in the car that was parked next to the start/finish
line. Special feeling from smaller running races. No rush with logistics, well
almost no rush.
“Come on, mom! Hurry up! Let’s start warming up!” yelled
Nick.
“Ok! Let me finish getting ready” replied mom. And in few seconds son and mom were jogging
together. Just mile and a half plus few drills, but Nick with some “Achilles
issues” decided to do it by his own rather than keeping with mom.
Starting line. Half marathoners departed at 8:00 am, 10k
runners 8:10 am and 5k runners 8:20 am, what gave son the chance to relax and
watch mom depart, then race, recover and wait for mom at the finish line.
“It’s going to be a full 6.25 miles, mom.
Relax, and no matter the pace, find yourself” mom thought. Starting line with a
voice counting “7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 go!”. One man and two ladies in front of
mom. “Patience, pace should (or might) come”. One lady less in front. Now it
was mom and a cute blond lady. “Can I keep with her?” mom was wondering for
like mile and a half until she realized and told herself “No, you have another
gear. Time to apply it without fear” and took over the lead hoping to keep it
to the end. And she did it! Second mile, third mile and last three miles “this
is what you are here for, mom!”. Then last mile and “run without fear”. Final
last quarter mile and “run with fire!”. Mom crossed finish line with son there,
cheering with a bottle of water and a big hug for his mom.
“Good job, mom” said Nick.
“How did you do?” mom asked.
“I started in front but then a couple guys passed me. I
couldn't keep up because of the hills and my Achilles and …”.
Mom didn't let him continue. “It’s OK. Nick” she said. “Did
you try your best? Are you happy with your own performance?”
“Yes, mom.”
And mom’s wishes of Nick placing touched the sky. Son &
Mom victory. An overall female lion trophy for mom and a first for his age
group lion paw medal for son completed another awesome Son & Mom running
event.
Back to the hotel. Hot tube that was actually cold but fun. Packing
and checking out took only few minutes, then we were in Granbury square, enjoying
a delicious lunch, doing some shopping and going to the Jail (Museum). Nick
wanted to tell his classmates “I went to jail last weekend.”
Arrival time: Saturday, Oct 25, 2014 at 5:25 pm. 24 hours
and a minute from departure. Not even a wasted minute of high quality time for
son & mom together making mom feel strong before her scheduled “hardware
removal” surgery few days after.
note: mom made the chart with record time for her age.
