Race Report - Hope Run for Hospice

This is the second year we have done this run as a family and is my first “race” of 2014.  Last year Joe ran alone and I ran with the kids.   Abigail imploded in the heat and humidity, and I lost my patience and spent the whole race running in circles back to get her..  This year we decided we would run pretty much as a family.  It was perfect sunny spring morning and not too hot or humid.  Abby and I decided we would run together and Joe would push the bike buggy with Joshua inside as he was going to take it easy due to a leg muscle strain.  

We love this race because Mary Greeley Hospital helps sponsor Mileage Club at the elementary schools in town.  The kids who participate have a chance to earn a free admission to the event by putting in 25 miles at lunch recess over several weeks at school.  Abby set her goal early and even though we knew months beforehand she had a soccer tournament that weekend I told her if she got in we would run.  Her final tally was 32 miles in the end.  The is a great run also because it helps to raise funds for the Ames Hospice House which is in our neighborhood.  They do wonderful end of life work and even supported my neighbor’s family this year when her mother passed.  

Run for Hospice is a timed race and has two distances 2.5k and 5k.  I love this race because there are hundreds of families running and being active together.  As I pulled our times from the website I couldn't help but notice family after family coming across the line with the same times.

Since this wasn't a run where I cared about time Abby and I decided we would walk once a mile when she needed it.  She did great however and I think we walked for a block each mile including the water stop in mile two.  Joe caught up with us at the water stop and all four of us ran together since by then Joshua was tired of riding along.  I am guessing next year he will be running with us.

We all crossed the finish line within 25 seconds of each other with Abby taking the lead due to her last second burst of speed.  Final times 34:36, 34:37 and the guys at 34:51.  We saw lots of friends at the finish and Joshua did the 50 meter little guy run with the biggest grin on his face.  I am pretty blessed and we hope to continue this family tradition for years to come.