by Trisha Brennan
I can’t remember the last time I ran a One-Mile Fun Run. In fact, I’m not sure if I ever have. I think my first race was titled “fun run,” but was really a 5K trying to disguise itself.
My running resume consists of two 80+ miles relays, 11 half-marathons, and numerous 5K’s, which I now consider “fun runs”. None of these races even come close in comparison to my first One-Mile Fun Run. I ran this one with my six-year old son.
I can’t remember the last time I ran a One-Mile Fun Run. In fact, I’m not sure if I ever have. I think my first race was titled “fun run,” but was really a 5K trying to disguise itself.
My running resume consists of two 80+ miles relays, 11 half-marathons, and numerous 5K’s, which I now consider “fun runs”. None of these races even come close in comparison to my first One-Mile Fun Run. I ran this one with my six-year old son.
There is not an adequate word to capture the excitement Aidan had for his first “real race.” Not only did he love the idea of the race, this one had added novelty…it was a Halloween run!
Wonder Woman and Superman, ready to race!
Wonder Woman and Superman were about to take on downtown St. Louis! I worried the rain would dampen Aidan’s spirit, but as I watched him hop over puddles and literally skip to the start line, I knew I had nothing to worry about.
Standing at the start, Aidan was a jumping bean. I attempted to give some running advice, like start slow and stay with me, but I forgot the most important advice of all, HAVE FUN!
The race began and Aidan took off in a burst. I ran beside him thinking of all the race etiquette I forgot to share: don’t zig -zag when you run, don’t purposefully step into puddles, and a myriad of other “don’ts.” Then, I looked down at his beaming smile and none of the etiquettes or rules mattered. The only thing that mattered was that I was running my son’s first real race along side of him.
I watched as he gazed up at the buildings that lined the street, imagining how big they must have seemed to him.
I ran ahead, yanked out my phone, and yes, became that mom who imagines she is a professional photographer of elite athletes with a smart phone.
His chunky cheeks were getting pink and I knew that he was pushing himself. He slowed to a walk, and I followed his lead. Within seconds, he was off again. We cheered on the half-marathon runners whose course joined ours for the last half-mile to the finish. We held hands. We laughed. We ran.
We turned the final corner and Aidan began walking again. “Look ahead, Aidan,” I said. “There’s the finish. Do you think you can run all the way to the finish line?”
His flushed cheeks and big blue eyes looked up at mine and said, “ I think I can, mom.” And he did.
Standing at the start, Aidan was a jumping bean. I attempted to give some running advice, like start slow and stay with me, but I forgot the most important advice of all, HAVE FUN!
The race began and Aidan took off in a burst. I ran beside him thinking of all the race etiquette I forgot to share: don’t zig -zag when you run, don’t purposefully step into puddles, and a myriad of other “don’ts.” Then, I looked down at his beaming smile and none of the etiquettes or rules mattered. The only thing that mattered was that I was running my son’s first real race along side of him.
I watched as he gazed up at the buildings that lined the street, imagining how big they must have seemed to him.
I ran ahead, yanked out my phone, and yes, became that mom who imagines she is a professional photographer of elite athletes with a smart phone.
His chunky cheeks were getting pink and I knew that he was pushing himself. He slowed to a walk, and I followed his lead. Within seconds, he was off again. We cheered on the half-marathon runners whose course joined ours for the last half-mile to the finish. We held hands. We laughed. We ran.
We turned the final corner and Aidan began walking again. “Look ahead, Aidan,” I said. “There’s the finish. Do you think you can run all the way to the finish line?”
His flushed cheeks and big blue eyes looked up at mine and said, “ I think I can, mom.” And he did.
Super Aidan!
He ran all the way to the finish line, not even stopping when he saw his dad. He waved and kept moving until he proudly accepted his medal.
It was 5, 280 feet full of smiles and FUN and instantly became my favorite race.
I think Aidan loved it to. He chose to write about it for a class assignment! Here is his version of the story (slightly interpreted):
On Sunday I did a race. I waited and waited at the finish line. We headed to a big tree. We saw our neighbors. We started the race. We passed our neighbors but they passed us. My socks were wet but that is ok. When mom and I got to the finish line I got candy and a beads and medal with it and we went past a fence. I had a fun time.
It was 5, 280 feet full of smiles and FUN and instantly became my favorite race.
I think Aidan loved it to. He chose to write about it for a class assignment! Here is his version of the story (slightly interpreted):
On Sunday I did a race. I waited and waited at the finish line. We headed to a big tree. We saw our neighbors. We started the race. We passed our neighbors but they passed us. My socks were wet but that is ok. When mom and I got to the finish line I got candy and a beads and medal with it and we went past a fence. I had a fun time.
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Trisha and Aidan ran in the Great GO! St. Louis Halloween Race, 1-Mile Fun Run. Check out more information about this amazing event here.
Also, see more awesome and inspiring stories by Trisha from her profile on our Contributors page.
Also, see more awesome and inspiring stories by Trisha from her profile on our Contributors page.
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