Running with Haley

On Memorial Day, I had the pleasure of running in the Ridgewood Run. This is a special run for me because it is the very first one I ever did. It is a 5K, which is 3.1 miles. Streets are closed and lined with clapping fans, and everyone stops to cheer on the runners running the 5K, 10K and one mile or wheelchair races. It is a great day, but what made it even better this year for me is that I got to share the experience with my daughter Haley. 

A few months ago I mentioned to Haley that I would run the 5K on May 30 and she seemed interested in doing it too. She is an athletic 10-year-old, but I was not sure she could go 3.1 miles. She joined track in the spring and did well with long distance but never really ran more than 800 meters or so at one time. However, she was determined to run this with me so who was I to discourage? The day before the race we registered and picked up our packets. I showed her the race bib and chip for her shoe. We got our free T-shirt, our gear and went on our day. She seemed mildly excited while I explained everything to her. The day of the race we went early to get a parking spot. As we were parking, we could see the wheelchair race going past, and then the 10K race as well. Nerves and enthusiasm meet head on when I see the runners go by with such determination and speed. I love the smell of the hot pavement as I walk to the start line and the sounds of the crowd cheering for the other runners. I find myself clapping and encouraging them as well, and I begin to tear up with the emotion of the day.

Haley and I approached the center of the racing area with plenty of time to spare. We walked around and looked at all the vendors, tried a few different sports drinks and waters, had a banana for energy and potassium and soaked it all in. When I am at a race event I am so in the moment, which is rare for me. Most of the time I walk around living in the NEXT moment instead of the current one. I am always thinking about what I have to do next, where I have to go next or some other distraction. Nevertheless, at race time all I am thinking about is being there and enjoying it and not getting nervous about the race. 

Soon it was time for Haley and me to stretch and get ready. We tightened our laces and I put the time chips on our sneakers. I pulled out the four little pins to fasten her bib to her shirt and then do mine. We walked to the start line where we stood in a crowd of close to 3,000 others ready to run. People of all ages, sizes, colors, sexes and cultures. We were all here to do one thing, run. When the gun went off to start the race the excitement was at its peak as we waited for the crowd to slowly move forward. I was very afraid that she would burn herself out too quickly so I had reminded her to keep pace and stay with me. I did not want her to hit the wall after only one mile and not be able to make the rest.

From the word go she was already 10 paces ahead of me and I yelled to her to fall back and stick with me. “A nice easy jog” is what we were going for. I was not here to set my personal best with her and it was too hot to even try. As I expected she was quick to get moving wanting to run ahead a bit, but if she got more than 20 feet ahead I would call her to fall back again. We hit mile one holding hands crossing over the line and I asked her how she felt. She said she felt great and wanted to keep going. At mile two we once again held hands and told her it was OK if she needed to walk a while, but she said no she felt good and wanted to keep running. I was beginning to think that she just might actually be able to pull it off after all.

From this point on I was no longer telling her to fall back because I did not want her to burn out, but more because I was struggling to keep up. She was blowing me away and hey, I was the one who has been doing this the last five years. None of my training and running articles on how to run was helping me keep up with my 10-year-old. She was going along waving at everyone that clapped which made the people clap even more for her. They encouraged her to “keep going” and “you’ve got this.” They gave her such positive feedback it made me smile and I wanted to say that is my daughter but she was either too far ahead or I was too far behind.

She was celebrating, taking in every cheer, every clap and every smile along the way. She ran with the grace and ease that only a 10-year-old can do. When we got into the last half mile, I caught up with her and asked if she wanted to run over the finish line holding hands or alone. She said she did not care, so I suggested running under the balloons together and then she could run the last 50 yards sprinting alone. She agreed. However, within seconds she started to pick up speed. She was widening the gap between us more than she had the whole race. I kept expecting her to fall back once she realized how far ahead she was, but she never looked back. I watched her run under those balloons and then take off into a full on sprint giving it everything she had in her. I was shocked because she is my child who loves to make you happy, giving up her comforts for yours. I could not believe her need to break free was greater than her need to please me.

After I crossed the finish line a good minute and a half after her I found her waiting, and I knew why she had gone ahead. It was obvious from the spark in her eyes she was hooked. The running bug had bitten her and it was a bad case. When I asked her why she did not wait, she said she was sorry but she just had to do it. As we walked over to get our well-earned bagels and water, I could see how proud she was. She had done something just for her, and being a triplet that can be a very rare thing. She loved it and it showed. She became her own person in that race. She found strength and endurance, and maybe even a little bit of peace. After a few minutes hot, sweaty and tired we made our way back to the car. Still red faced she looked at me and said, “When can we do it again?” What can I say; she is her mother’s daughter.