Running with the Goats - 5K - Elkmont, Alabama

A couple of months ago Southern Living did a great article about Elkmont, Alabama and how small town cute it is.  I couldn't believe my eyes - Elkmont is a small town where my family roots run deep.  My father is from Elkmont and my beloved Memaw and Papaw lived in the same home my Papaw grew up in.  I have such wonderful memories of growing up and spending many fabulous days and nights in Elkmont.  But, I must admit, I was a bit surprised to find Elkmont was "up and coming."

Two wee, silly goats

One of the big reasons Elkmont is "growing" is because of a goat creamery by the name of Belle Chevre (fabulous goat cheese by the way) and a woman who has a vision of Elkmont being near and dear to many. It's a charming two-lane, tiny town - no red lights, no police, a small post office, a river and many, many miles of farm land.  

Getting ready to run the Belle Chevre Running with the Goats 5K

Belle Chevre hosted their inaugural 5K - Running with the Goats - and I decided I needed to experience the "new" Elkmont.  So we signed up and run with the goats we did.  What a run!  It was almost 100 degrees that fine morning and HUMID.  We didn't start the race until 9:15 - which is HOT in the summer.  We ran the first two miles on a trail that used to be the railroad and the last mile was on the road up and down several hills.  David joined me as did the girls - boy did we have a journey:)

Race selfie

I run at 5:30 a.m. so the girls are never with me and needless to say the bigger they get the harder it is for me to push them and myself.  Catherine Ellis usually runs, but it was hot and she wasn't feeling it - so in addition to the 18lb stroller and 36lb Caroline - I had the 40 plus lb Cat along for the ride.  I'm not a numbers whiz - but that's close to 100 lbs of goodness to push down the road.  And there's enough of me to push without all that:)  But, push I did and we survived.  David helped me on the last mile as the uphill and downhill was a bit of a challenge.  Honestly, I've never been more happy to see a finish line.  I ran as fast as my legs would take me just to be done. It sure helped that Aunt B and her friend Cynthia were there cheering us on!

CE and David warming up

But we had a great time, learned a few things about mid-July 5K's that start mid-morning and got to experience goats and good times!  We look forward to doing it again next year!  Yay for Team Cain!

At the finish line - we made it!

 When we finished we peeked inside the creamery - such a neat little place - we look forward to experiencing it the next time we're in town.

And last but certainly not least, we finally got to pet the goats and met sweet Valentine - isn't she a cutie?