“Slow and steady wins the race.” – Robert Lloyd

June 1, 2014

The girls have pinned their numbers to their shirts.  Their numbers, like all the other kids, say 1.  In a just a few minutes the Fun Run will begin.  This course is non-competitive event for the kids. The proceeds will go to a charity (a Foundation to tribute a child who loved to run) and all the children will receive finisher medals. The children ages 5 and under will go first.  And my two daughters are 5 and 3.

My husband and I get them settled at the start and then head to the sidelines.

And they’re off.  Our oldest becomes a blur in the crowd.  But our youngest.  Our youngest stands out in the crowd.  She is in last place.  Running as fast as her little body can go, like the tortoise.  Standing out even more like a tortoise  in her bring green sweatshirt.

We watch as she is yards behind the rest.

We watch.

We watch.

The next thing I know, my husband is sprinting towards her.  He starts to run by her side.  Although she is far from my by now, I can see her face glow.  They are at the half way mark.

By now, my oldest has crossed the finish line.  She doesn’t even see me.  She and one of her best buddies have completed the feat together and are staring at their medals.  They are on cloud 9.

Finally, my husband and other daughter finish.  They finish together.  I couldn’t ask for a better finish.  Even though there were no winners, they really did win the race.