Here is a recap of last years training and race.  The Ups and Downs of Training a 9/10 Year Old- and my spiritual life
Needless to say it was a struggle. I am proud to say I grew up. Last year it was all about pushing Kylie and Brinley, mainly Kylie. You have to get the miles in or you won’t finish. You have to do this or you have to do that and getting push back from Kylie.

This year was different. This year it was let’s get what you can in , do what you can and see what happens. Kylie was sick for a week and half and then a week after she recovered Brinley was sick for a week.    Throw in the heat and humidity on top of that and there wasn’t much training going on.  I really don’t think they even ran ten times in six weeks.  They did do a five miler on the treadmill but the outdoor runs were always less miles than they were supposed to be because of the heat.

Was I ever surprised on race day. Even though it was hot they both set personal records. No, let me change that.  They smashed their time from last year. Last year they finished in 1:17:22 (11:49 per mile pace).     This year Kylie finished 1:09:48 (10:40 per mile pace).  She took almost 8 minutes off last year, 1:09 minute per mile faster.  Brinley finished in 1:12:18 (11:03 per mile pace).  She took almost 5 minutes off last years time.

Kylie was strong the entire race. She surprised me at the water stations.  I thought she would stop and walk but no, she stopped, drank, and was off. Maybe it was the music. This is the first race Kylie ran with music. Brinley started to struggle around mile four.

I ran ahead with Kylie because there was no stopping her and then I would run back and check on Brinley. Then go back up to Kylie and so forth. The last time I checked on Brinley a couple moms had taken her under her wing and said we got her, run with the other one. I love the running community.

After Kylie’s second mile she was faster each mile after that.   That was even after taking a short walk break around four and half because her toenails were hurting. She even took another small walk break around five and half just to catch her breath from the heat. Those were her two fastest miles, beside mile one.

Anyway , I am so proud of both of them. Just goes to show you everyone trains differently. Some need pushed, some will just do their thing.

By the way, Kim had another strong run. She did awesome in the heat also.  She finished in 1:42:04. 

Then afterwards they celebrated at our church.  Our church had youth small group kick off that night so they had lots of fun.  Very busy day and they were wiped out when we got home.  Their legs were sore the next day.

Go Big Or Go Home by American Authors – 

Rock On by Tucker Beathard – one of Ky’s favorites right now  

Say Something by Royce Lovett – 

Play It Again by Luke Bryan – Can’t talk about Kylie without Luke