Last year she was just 14 months (an avid walker and runner, yet still a novice). This year was going to be different: She was two and she was ready to run.
She practiced 'racing' Grandpa Denny on many occasions. We made several reconnaissance trips to Vala's Pumpkin Patch - it was almost as if we had home court advantage. I'd dressed her in the Minnie Mouse costume and even pinned an old bib number on her before releasing her in the yard. In fact, if she was going anywhere on her own two feet, she was running.
I'm sure I yelled "Walk!" as I frequently as I yelled, "No!" to her this month.
People chuckled when I went on the local television station's Morning Blend to talk about the Monster Dash http://www.omahamorningblend.com/videos/131597438.html. I was hopeful that my two-year old would run since "last year, she just stood there". The hosts of the show didn't find it surprising. They clearly underestimate the fact that some one-year olds are capable of running (particularly darting in the opposite direction). A few friends watching the broadcast caught my comment regarding the idea that kids can get to the finish line in any "way shape or form" and I offered a few suggestions including "pick 'em up, drag 'em there, run 'em there..."
I won't say too much about the race. It was memorable, and slightly traumatic too.
If you ask her if she ran...she'll admit, "No... I cried. I had meltdown."
Too cute... I feel like I wanna fly to Omaha for this next year :)
ReplyDeletefly from ATL to OMA for a 5K?? You're crazy! It would be fun. Come for the Marathon!
ReplyDeleteWell first of all, LOVED the video clip. You are our own local celebrity. Poor Taia. We need to practice our running this winter and then the girls can kill it next year. :)
ReplyDelete