For Love of T-shirt

Erik is in the process of training for a triathlon that will take place in May. He has been running and biking for months now. Somehow he talked Sean into running a race with him. Sean biked a century (100 miles) a few years ago, but running. . . let's just say that it is not his first love. . . or his second. . . or third. But, my husband has these powers. . . I'm not sure how else to explain it, but he has these unique powers that compel others to do what he asks them to do.

I'm not sure if it was truly Erik's powers at work in this case, or maybe it was simply the fact that Sean collects coca cola paraphernalia, and a community near ours has a coca cola festival with a 10K run.

10K that is 6.2 miles.

And, Sean ran it without training. Did I mention that he doesn't enjoy running? Deana B tried to talk him out of running the race a few days before, but he would not have it. Want to know why?

He wanted the t-shirt.

Deana promised him that she would get him a t-shirt. But, Sean being the very honorable man that he is, would have no part of wearing a t-shirt that he did not rightfully deserve. He was determined to run. Erik promised to stay with him, no matter the pace, as long as he would keep running. Erik didn't want to walk.

So, Saturday morning the boys left around 7:15 to run their race. Deana B, the kiddos, and I left around 8:00. It was so fun!! We took two double strollers, strapped our little ones in, passed out juice and snacks, and waited for the Daddy's to run by us toward the finish line!! Here are the kiddos bright and early waiting. . .

Stroller #1:

Stroller #2:

Say, "Yay, for Daddy!!!" Clap, clap, clap!!!!!

Surprisingly, it was kind of emotional for Deana and I as we cheered our husbands to victory!

Erik was talking Sean through to the finish. . . Encouraging him. . . At the time, we didn't know what he was saying. . .

But, later we learned that Erik's encouraging words involved hostess snack foods.

Yes, you read that right. As they walked to the starting line, they happened to notice that the race workers were already putting out food for the racers to eat after they cross the finish line. And, amidst the wide array of snack foods they were laying out was a favorite of Sean's. . .

The Twinkie.

So, as they ran that last half-mile, Erik kept repeating to Sean, "You can do it! Keep it up! Your daughter and a twinkie are waiting for you at the finish line!"

And, this was enough to keep Sean running!

Here he is enjoying his post-race Twinkie!!

I cannot tell you how impressed I am that Sean ran 6.2 miles without training! Talk about athletic prowess!

Here is Erik receiving a BIG post-race kiss!

And, here are our Champions - complete with souvenir medals!

After the race we spent an hour or so walking around enjoying the festivities. It was warm and breezy, a beautiful day to be outside! And, what better way to enjoy a festival than cotton candy and an inflatable slide!

Deana B & Joshua! When Deana is with us, she is the official photographer, so it is rare to get a picture of her!! But, I got one!!

And, we had lunch at one of our favorite little downtown restaurants. It is a one hundred year old pharmacy turned into a diner. It is a burger & shake kind of place. And, they don't play around! Their burgers and shakes are INCREDIBLE!!!!

And, this is how we all felt on the drive home. . .

The kids took 3 hour naps after all the activity of the morning. It feels so good to wear them out like that! Fun!

There were only two cons to the weekend. The first con actually brings this story full circle. The t-shirt which sparked the whole race idea, yeah, that t-shirt, it ended up not fitting Sean. So, now he has his well-deserved Coca-Cola 10 K t-shirt, but he can't actually wear it. But, that is okay. The plan is to frame their race numbers with a picture of them running together (but, not "together-together" as Sean says) and hang it in their office!

The second con is that Sean hurt his foot while running. But, thankfully, he knows a good doctor who specializes in nonsurgical sports injuries! An x-ray was taken promptly Monday morning, and Sean is currently on the mend! All in all, it was a great weekend!!