Caleb's first race

At the beginning of the school year the kids of San Antonio were challenged to complete a marathon in 10 weeks- "The School Rock Challenge." I believe they do this in cities where they have a "Rock & Roll Marathon." (such as Phoenix, Dallas, Chicago, Nashville, etc.)

Anyhow, Caleb came home with a schedule with how many miles a week they needed to run. On the second to last day, the entire school runs the 25th mile together. The next day they may choose to run the 26th mile in a fun run at Brackenridge Park.

It was difficult to fit in all those miles, but we did it. There were a few nights when I drove the car with the younger boys, and Caleb ran around the block...in the dark...just to get our miles in.

On the way to the race we were trying to prepare Caleb that it was all about finishing and not winning. He said, "yeah, it's about finishing....finishing first!" We said, are you going to be sad if someone passes you? He said, "no I won't be sad if someone passes me, because I am just going to pass them next!" (read further to see why Caleb was at a disadvantage)

It cost mucho bucks to get the kid in the final race:

$30 entrance fee

$10 parking to pick up packet at the Alamodome

$8.75 for two small bags of Cheetos's and a sprite

(we were starving at the Alamodome bc it was after school and it took hours to get the packet)

$20 zoo entrance fee

(was not required, but Caleb's entrance fee came with a free pass to the zoo and the announcer told all the kids they WERE going to the zoo after the race. There was no way to get out of it without a mighty fight.)

$68.75 later, here we are waiting at the start:

the starting line, first set

(Caleb is running with 1st graders because Kindergarten only did 1/2 mile and he trained for a whole mile race.)


one of those kids looks at least 2 year older than Caleb

what is that? is this what they call "muscles seizing up"

I am glad he was able to start the race

He finished in the bottom half, but we were just glad he didn't get frustrated and sit down and cry on the course when he realized he wasn't winning.

We did it...and I really mean WE!

toys in his goodie bag

time to go home...oh yeah, we still have to go to the zoo.