Achilles Hope & Possibility 5M

Andy competed in this race in Central Park this morning, a race that benefits athletes with disabilities, and as many NY Road Runners races do this race also had a kid's race event after the adult race...the kid's races start at age 2, and this was our first opportunity to register Gabriel since he turned 2. By now Gabriel is very familiar with road races, race bibs, runners, etc from all of the races Andy and I run combined. So, when he found out he would have his very own race bib, he was thrilled. 

Admittedly the starting area for the kid's races was uncharted territory for us, a bit of a scene of controlled chaos, but it also had a great energy about it...I mean come on a bunch of little 2 year olds with race bibs lining up at a start line? Precious. So we took the requisite umpteen million pictures and got Gabriel ready. The first race that went off was actually the kid's race for children with disabilities...melt my heart, those kids were precious. Andy and I enjoyed showing Gabriel how we cheer for all athletes, while also readying him for his race.

Finally, it was time to start. Andy was in position right next to Gabriel, and I was in position, video cam in hand, at the finish line (a whopping 30 yards away!). Suddenly, off they went! All the 2-yr old boys...but Gabriel was not convinced, he held back. With some encouragement from Daddy, though, he headed towards the finish line holding Andy's hand. He was clearly overwhelmed with all of the clapping and cheering, but he pressed on, and I cheered for him as he passed. What a memory, even though this is just a silly little fun race,  I was so proud of him for finishing...and believe me he had no hesitation in partaking in the post-race bagel offering!

Gabriel thought it was fabulous that he and Daddy both had race medals and we called him our running champion all day...he even woke up from his nap with the race medals clinking in tow :)

  

Lest we forget to mention how well Daddy did! He placed 10th overall (about 3300 runners total) and 5th in his age group...way to go Andy!!