The Cains: Run Cat Run!

Catherine Ellis is loving kindergarten - and running has been a big part of her kindergarten year. She started off the school year running in PE - a few laps here and there each time she went - and next thing you know, she'd run 25 miles! Her school participates in the Mercedes Marathon - a local marathon in downtown Birmingham that gives children the opportunity to fall in love with running.

Ready to run!

Proud mama

You'll remember Catherine Ellis and David ran in her school's fundraiser - Turkey Trot - in November and she ran a fast mile! She's been running for a couple of years with me in 5K's (largely riding in the stroller, but as she's gotten older she wants to run some) so I think we've sparked a love for her - and if nothing else, it's just plain fun for her right now!

Waving to Daddy and Caroline

Getting ready to line up

And fun we had last weekend! Elementary aged children run the Saturday before the marathon on Sunday morning - it's all fun!

It was a bit chilly and windy but her gear kept her warm!

Lining up with the kindergartners

Catherine Ellis ran the Turkey Trot with David - so this was her very first race all by herself. I didn't think a thing about it until I saw a ton of parents running with their wees. I didn't worry though because I knew she could do it - it was just a mile and if she ran super fast, it would be over in just a few minutes. And fast my girl ran!

Running hard and fast (by herself!)!

We talked about running and not stopping (unless she just had to). David followed her for a bit on the route and snapped the picture above. She's got her hands in her shirt because it's cold, but it didn't slow her down.

Catherine Ellis started in the second pack of kindergartners (there were three) and she ended up being in the top 10 that finished. She was the fourth little girl to come in! WOO HOO!.

Listening to directions about starting slow so no one falls

There she goes -she's the little white headband to the right of the middle

I was waiting for her at the finish line - and as soon as I arrived, I knew we had a problem. There waiting for them to finish were Aubie, Big Al and Blaze (UAB). Catherine Ellis is scared to death of mascots - has been since the day she was old enough to recognize one. I was afraid it wouldn't end well.

But she surprised me - she rounded the corner, saw them and kept running until she got within a few feet. Then came to a dead stop and starting crying. There was a sweet volunteer on the other side of the gates (I was on the parent side, too far away to help) and she held Cat's hand while she ran past the mascots. As soon as she got past them she was fine!

Finish line in sight!

We were all SO proud of our Cat Cat! She did great! She's ready to run again next year and Caroline says she'll think about it (good thing she's got a few years!).