Gracie's First 5k!

My Gracie Girl is just as busy as can be. She is only in 2nd grade but this year has been involved with Brownies, Poms, Chess Club, Silly Science Class, and Running Club!

The last few weeks, twice a week, she's been hitting the pavement with her new running shoes and learning all about how to pace herself and pus herself to do her best!  

Well all that hard work paid off yesterday because it was the day of the big race, the 5k!

All the kids got numbers and a color group based on their heat or pacing group,  

Here is Gracie ready to run with her buds Meryn and Lily.

And here are the 3 amigos, Jackie, Lily, and Gracie.

Gracie's teacher Mr. Parrott and her teacher from last year Miss Stewart were her coaches.

Soon the race started and Gracie was in the first heat. She learned that she should be in the group that needs more walking time.

She ran a lap in the parking loop before heading down the parkway.

We made signs to cheer on our runner!

So many parents were there with signs and cowbells.  It really was neat to be  part of.  

The runners had to do the same path twice for their race. On her second way through, Grandpa joined Gracie as they worked their way around the loop again.  

Presley was ready with his sign.

We stopped to give Grace a quick drink before she headed down the parkway one last time.

The  coaches all stood by the finish line and wrote down times as they crossed it!  My girl did great!

I am so proud of her for finishing. I told her that it doesn't matter if she comes in first, second, or anything...what matters is that she did her best and didn't quit.

They had an awards ceremony after and the top 3 girls and boys did get special awards.  But everyone got a certificate and an award for doing a great job!

Gracie finished with a time of 44 minutes which is not bad. I  think that's around what I got in the 2 5k's I have been in.  She takes after me in that department.  She did good and all the kids got water, apples, bananas, TCBY, and a goody bag all donated by locals who wanted to support the Wesmere Running Club!

So proud of my little runner!