That day was today--a beautiful but windy cool morning. The kids were excited! The staff let us park closely. As far as I could tell, Elena and Avery were the only motor-impaired kids running this final mile.
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| Pre-race |
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| Team Doodle |
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| Running friends |
We waited in line for at least 20 minutes, the kids trying to stay warm in the cold breeze. Once we started running, everyone warmed up quickly.
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| And we're off! |
I thought E would do her usual run-and-stop. SHE DIDN'T. Maybe it was the thrill of the race, maybe it's her increased endurance--but she never stopped. She took a few walk breaks, but really, not too many.
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| E and Viv stayed together for most of the mile |
Elena wanted water a little over halfway; I told her with real races, they have water stations. I told her she was supposed to grab a cup of water, on the run--take a drink and throw the rest. We had a few mock-water practices--when the moment came, she was thrilled to do it like a real marathoner!
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| Didn't skip a beat--that's her cup after she's done (on the left) |
Jason and Viv started pulling away near the end of the mile. We were all cheering for each other!
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| E can see the finish! |
Elena's mile race before this was the Jingle Bell Run; it took her 28 minutes, which was her typical pace pre-marathon training.
Elena finished her mile in 17 minutes, 30 seconds (new personal record!!) Vivian finished in ~15 minutes. Both girls were tired and very proud of themselves!!
We met up with Avery and her family after the race--she got her own personal best time too! Then it was off for brunch--in their new medals!
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| Runners! |
Thanks to tbe Blue Ridge Marathon staff--especially for the golf cart ride back to our car, and a HUGE thank you to Mr. Keith (our Feldenkrais practitioner) for coming to cheer us on! It was a beautiful day, with wonderful people, and a fun event!
5 comments:
Sounds like fun. Glad the girls got to do the marathon together. The stamina they have amazes me. Your girls are growing so fast. Vivian is not a baby anymore is she? Such pretty girls.
I love this! I am still completely blown away by Elena's time!! Amazing!!
wow! 17 mins is a really great time, CP or not!! E"s getting big and her body is a lot stronger. Her form is not bad either. I wonder if E will go professional as a marathoner like those marathoners in the paralympics with CP. I could easily picture E doing that after seeing this post. Nice to see Avery join in too. It's good for people to know that people with motor disabilities like to do sports like this too. Well done everyone!!
nice job E I have a hard time doing the 100 yrd dash so this is incredible keep it up
VERY NICE JOB ELENA... I WISH I KNEW HOW TO RUN ON MY CRUCHES LIKE THAT... WELL DONE TO BOTH OF YOU..
ALSO HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY ELENA.. I HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD DAY MY NIECE WILL BE 9 IN JULY AS WELL
MELISSA
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