Jaiden's Angel Family Run Day

No pain, no gain. Zack did a 2K race against 4-6 graders. He actually took 1st place out of the boys. If you look closely this is at the end of the race and you can see the pain on his face. He actually wanted to completely stop at this point, but Kevin told him that if he could finish he would get a medal and all of a sudden he came alive again. He is very competitive...he just went out too hard, too fast.
Three-legged race- This is probably one of the only times you will see Nat and Zack with their arms around each other. Zack said that their was no way he was going to put his arm around Nat until we told him that he would not be able to do it as fast unless he did. his face is hilarious. They really do love each other. :)

Carley's age group was 5 and under. She was able to win first out of the girls and took second overall. It was a 100m dash and they were supposed to each stay in their lane. She did great and ran the whole way with a smile on her face. I am so excited to start these kids out running so young because I need to have some running partners.

Here is Zack with his 1st place medal and t-shirt that he won. I made him stand and put a smile on his face. He will still in a lot of pain at this point.

Natalie did the same 2K race with Zack and did a great job. She said that she was able to stop and walk at some points, but then would start running again. She comes home every day from school now and drops her back pack at the mail box and runs a mile in the neighborhood. We want the kids to do a 5K with us on the Fourth of July and they did it last year without training and said this year they want to do it faster so we told them they have to start running now. She is really excited to run. I am crossing my fingers...

Brooke ran a 2K as well. She was one of the top 5 finishers and was able to get a medal (did I mention that there were 6 people in the race and she and another boy came in at the same time and tied for 5th). She had a great time but still says running is not for her.

This race day was put on by Jaiden's Angel Foundation. The t-shirts that they kids are wearing have the angel that Jaiden drew on the front of them and the ribbon that I designed for the decals on the back. The kids loved it that they were able to run for Jaiden. There was a family 4x400 relay at the end that Kevin and the 3 oldest kids did. They took 2nd place to a team just put together with a bunch of track team members. We ended up getting t-shirts for that as well because we were the first place "real family". I was so impressed with all of them. Kevin went out first against all the other dads. He was not able to really push it hard because he had just rode 40 miles that morning on his bike. But then Brooke went out strong and made up the difference and worked her way up to the second place position. Natalie then took the baton and was able to keep the pace and the place until right at the end where she had a couple people pass her. Then Zack went out strong and actually worked his way back into second place and then dropped the baton and had to turn back and pick it up. He then had to push it hard again and get back into second. He rounded the final corner and started to walk and Brooke saw that he was in trouble and said that she was going to go help him run into the finish. She ran over and ran beside him helping his to start running again and get the second place ribbons. I loved it that the kids worked together and helped each other to get across the finish line. I was pushed out of it all because the kids really wanted to do it and I did not want to take that opportunity away from them. I just filmed and was actually grateful not to have to run because I had ran 15 miles that morning with my running group and my legs were very tired.

It was a very fun race and one we will always remember. We will always remember Jaiden and her family and keep her close to ours hearts. Zack carries a picture of her around in his back pack and church coat. She will be missed and loved by the Olsen family always and forever.