Bonny Sosa #8

We were sad that tonight was our final Bonny Sosa race.  Hannah and I (and the rest of the crew) have really enjoyed running in this race series.  The Municipality of Anchorage has done a wonderful job putting these races together, and it wouldn't be possible without the wonderful volunteers who serve as race officials and course setters!  I am also thankful for my wonderful sister who took care of Suzy-Q (Ava) while Hannah and I were running.  It only took 8 weeks, but Ava finally fell a sleep and took a nap in the stroller!  We all look forward to participating in this race series again next year.

The Farr Family

Hannah and Owen enjoyed their pre-race Chai.  Hannah was a little worried about doing this last race as it was at Kincaid.  The hills at Kincaid can be pretty rough, but this race was only a 5K.  I gave Hannah a little pep talk, which cheered her up and off we went.  I could tell that my pep talk really helped Hannah because she said, "Auntie, I'm going to try to push it up the hills."  As we were running up the hills she was saying, "I'm a tough runner girl.  I...can...[panting]...do...it!"  There were only a couple of steep hills that we walked fast up, otherwise, Hannah ran the whole time.  Hannah and I finished in 33:15!

We recieved a couple of messages from friends while we were at the race that Hannah and I were on the 6 o'clock news!  We were so excited to hear that our interview aired.  We will post a link for you to check it out.  Hannah and I are going to be starting the Cross-Country Ski program in Chugiak once it snows to help keep us in shape throughout the winter.  We are going to be running as well with the help of studded running shoes from Uncle Greg :)

Enjoying Pre-Race Chai

Auntie Shauna and Owen ran their last Munchkin League race.  Owen has done a really good job with running these races, even though running is not his most favorite thing.

The Post-Race Crew

Go Team 5K in 50 States!!

Bonny Sosa Race #7

Jennie writing...

First Ever TV Interview

Getting ready to race

Bonny Sosa #7 was held at Service High School.  Channel 2 news was there tonight and we were interviewed by Megan Baldino of KTUU News!  We're hopeful we'll be on the news :) 
Hannah and I were thankful for a shorter race today (4.4K) as this is our 4th race in 10 days.  This was quite the muddy course and our moose hotdog dinner was a little to heavy for all of our tummies.  The whole crew ended up feeling sluggish :(  Hannah and I managed to stay on our feet while others were slipping and sliding.  One "fast runner" as Hannah calls them, fell right next to us and always thoughtful Hannah asked him if he was okay.  We fast walked up several of the hills, but still finished in 27:30!  Our next race isn't until next week, so we'll have a little time to recover.  See you all next week at Kincaid Park for the costume race!

Post race picture with Daddy, Hannah, Uncle Greg, Suzy-Q, Auntie Jennie, Owen & Auntie Shauna

Another successful race for Team 5K in 50 States

Pumpkins in the Park 5K

Team 5K in 50 States at the airport headed to Chicago

Jennie writing...

Our trip to Chicago involved  flying 5697 miles, a 5K run, visiting the Shedd Aquarium (in Chicago Bears traffic), visiting the American Girl doll store (in downtown Chicago) all with a 7 year old and an 8 month old in less than 72 hours.  We had a blast!  On the morning of our flight we went to visit the aquarium before we had to head home and getting back to the car after visiting the aquarium involved becoming slightly disoriented and calling Nicole to rescue us with directions, but we all survived AND made it to the airport on time.

 Pre-race breakfast of champions with our cheerleader Aunt Diana and Cousin Danielle

 Hannah at her first ever American Girl Doll store.  Can you tell she LOVED it :)

 Auntie Jennie doing Hanna's hair for the 100th time..gotta love growing out bangs

The pumpkin Hannah decorated at the kids station at the race

Aunt Diana and Cousin Danielle joined us for the Pumpkins in the Park 5K as cheerleaders.  It was nice to have someone to keep Suzie-Q while Hannah and I ran.  This race was very well organized and was super fun, I would recommend it to everyone!  Hannah was able to get in a pre-race run by participating in the kids Spooky Sprints and ran in the 100 yard dash and got  really cool medal to show for it :)

 Hannah during the kids 100 yard dash

 Hannah's medal for the kids race

 

Hannah and Jennie lining up at the 10 minute pace marker...now they can officially start line up at the 9:30 pace marker!

 Team 5K in 50 States ready to race!!!!

As this was a costume race, Hannah and I were dressed as Ladybugs (Suzie-Q too).  While we were warming up for the run, a person in a "freaky pumpkin head" (as Hannah put it) costume was next to us.  Hannah was seriously scared of them and I thought maybe we might have to move just so Hannah would run.  We made sure to be in front of them for the start of the race.  After a good warm up, we were off!  We kept a pretty quick pace throughout the race, and caught a lot of people's attention with our ladybug costumes.  The "freaky pumpkin head" caught up to us towards the end of the race and as the person went by the lady in the costume said "I hope I didn't scare you."  I couldn't believe it when Hannah cheerfully said "you didn't" as we continued to run.  The last half mile was the hardest of this run.  The way the course was designed, you saw the finish line and thought you were done, but still had 3/4 of a mile left to run.  Hannah still had enough power left to sprint the last 100 yards of the race and the announcer was surprised with the "little ladybug."  We finished the race with our fastest time yet of 29:34!!!!  A 9:31 mile pace.  Not bad for a 7 year old who started running 5Ks in August this year. 

 Having some fun on the stairs while waiting to race

Way to go!!! Personal best time of 29:34

I was a little concerned about how they were keeping track of racer's time, and learned that the bibs have a sticky magnetic strip that is the new timing "chip" of the future!  Hannah finished 5th in her age group (females ages 14 & under).  She was 739th out of 1,922 people overall and was 334th out of 1,208 women; amazing! Three states down only 47 left to go.

Tomorrow we will be running our 7th Bonny Sosa race of the season which is our 4th 5K in 10 days!

Pics of Chicago fun!!!

Bonny Sosa Race #6

 Hannah and Owen happy to have daddy home!

 Pre race pics :)

Jennie writing...

Last night's 5.7K race was a very cold evening at East High School.  We were very thankful for the hot Chai and hot cocoa that a local coffee company provides for every race.  Justin came in yesterday after working nights on the slope and this was his first run in 3 weeks.  Shauna, Justin, and I managed to leave Hannah and Owen's backpacks with the kids coats, hats and gloves and Nicole's coat at my house.  Poor Nicole was really cold!  On the positive side, I did remember to bring Nicole's dinner :)

Coming into the finish line...always with a smile on her face!

The race officials decided to start the race about 5 mintues early since it was so cold and some people ended up missing the start of the race!  Greg almost missed the start.  Hannah and I were off with the crowd!  Justin ran with us for the first 1/2 mile and then headed out on a faster pace to finish in his best time ever.  This was another trail/cross-country course and Hannah has decided she's not the biggest fan of running through the woods.  She only tripped and fell one time this race.  Hannah kept telling the people behind us to "watch your feet."  On a particularly steep up hill, two ladies put their arms under Hannah's and raced me up the hill.  She really got a kick out of that.  This course was also the first really muddy course and both Hannah and I ended up covered in mud and goose poop :(  We finished the race strong though with a time of 33:34.  We are both getting packed for Chicago and can't wait to run in our costumes again on Saturday!

 Post race group pic

Team 5K in 50 States

Home Run 2010

 Hannah at the sign in and bib pick up

 Hannah and Owen checking out the worm they found

We had a much warmer day for the race today.  It was sunny and about 45 degrees.  Auntie Jennie got back from Fairbanks last night and was rather tired :)  The Home Run was a much smaller race and the 5K had a total of about 25 people. 

Hitting her stride

 It was much hard to be motivated to run fast because there were not as many people around cheering them on.  Hannah and Jennie were following a guy in a yellow shirt for most of the race.  They passed him at one point, but he finished just ahead of them at the end.  Hannah even fell two times because leaves were covering roots in the trail, but she hopped up and kept running.  What a strong girl!  Two other people came up to Hannah at the end of the race and said that she was their pace setter.  They tried their hardest to keep up with her, but she was too fast!  Hannah and Jennie finished in 33:38. 

We will run 3 5K races this week!  Bonny Sosa Race #6 on Tuesday and Pumpkins in the Park in Chicago...here we come!!

 Team 5K in 50 States

Hannah and Owen celebrating awesome runs today

Bonny Sosa Race #5

 Auntie Shauna, Owen, Hannah, Auntie Jennie & Suzy-Q in her BOB

Jennie writing...

Bonny Sosa Race 5 took place at Bartlett High School.  The course was a rather hilly 5K cross-country course.  Thankfully it wasn't very muddy.  Hannah and I had taken a couple of days off from running as we were both really sore and fighting off some sort of bug.  I think this race is just was we needed.  Yet again at the Munchkin/Farm split, a lady told Hannah that the munchkins went the other way not realizing the she is actually part of the farm league 5K races.  She was quite surprised to find out that Hannah was running the farm league.  I think this race brings our total 5K count to 10 so far!  Not bad for a 7 year old and an Auntie that never thought she'd be a "long" distance runner.  SO...Hannah was quite the super runner today.  We set yet ANOTHER personal record of 30:06 for our 5K time.  I thought we were going to finish much faster, but we had to go around this huge field before crossing the finish line.  Our next Bonny Sosa race will be at East High School, which will be a short drive for us...yeah!!

Team 5K in 50 States

 

Run for Beans 2010

Hannah & Auntie Shauna pre-race

The Run for Beans was Saturday September 25th downtown at 2nd and G Street and it was fundraiser for Catholic Social Services and Beans Cafe.  People who wore costumes had the advantage of a 1 minute headstart!  The headstart was nice but what 7 year old can resist an occasion to wear a costume :)  Hannah wore her princess costume and Auntie Jennie and Suzy-Q were ladybugs.  Hannah's ladybug costume hasn't come in the mail yet.

Hannah & Auntie Jennie coming into the finish line

It was a cold and windy morning for the race and since we were down by the water it seemed even colder. Team 5K in 50 States had a huge cheerleading team which always makes the races fun.  3 running buddies of Team 5K in 50 States ran this race including Auntie Shauna, Owen (brother), and Uncle Greg. We missed dad (Justin) as he is working on the slope.  Grandma, Grandpa, Baby Ava (AKA Suzy-Q), and mom (Nicole) were there cheering.  The race followed the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail, which went along Cook Inlet and the turn around point was at Weschester Lagoon. Hannah enjoyed running with and cheering for everyone in their costumes, especially Minnie Mouse.  Uncle Greg came in 2nd place overall, Auntie Shauna and Owen completed their first 5K and Hannah and Auntie Jennie set yet another Personal Record of 30:51!!  We're ready for our next Bonny Sosa run on Tuesday.

Hannah & Auntie Jennie after the personal best 5k time!!!!

Hannah & Mommy

Way to go guys :)

Hannah enjoying her post race massage before the awards ceremony