After parking a bit further away than we would have liked we got to the start of the race about 10 minutes after it was supposed to start. We weren't too concerned because they release the runners in waves for 45 minutes so we got in line and were ready to go. After counting down from 10 about 5 times we were part of the 5th wave that went out. By then L was fit to be tied. She was frustrated from all the hurrying up along the start line and then waiting. So it took a couple blocks of running and two packs of fruit snacks and she was back to her cheery self, which was just in time for the first shots of color. N was riding in the stroller during this bit of chaos but she hopped out and they sure enjoyed getting shot with the color. After that they hopped in the running stroller together and hopped out for the next shot of color. From there on they RAN most of the rest of the run with us. They hopped in the stroller briefly a couple times but really they were troopers and enjoyed getting doused with color at each of the rest of the stops. My favorite line from the run was towards the end when N looked at me and said "mom, when we get home, I need to take a shower!" She was right! We were a mess!
On a side note, I want to add that today was a HUGE non scale victory day for me. When we set out goals to get healthier and lose weight sometimes we get focused on the number on the scale instead of the overall progress. I've lost a little more than 40 pounds and been frozen there for a couple weeks. I'm not really sure why but I've decided to focus on how great I am doing in other places. First, for this race I ordered a size medium shirt for the first time for a run and it fit comfortably! Second, as I looked through these pictures on Greg's phone I realized I don't hate any of the pictures with me in them. For years, I've really disliked being in pictures because I hate the way I look and today I didn't. I'm proud of the progress I've made so far. This year hasn't been easy for us on a number of levels but our focus on running and our health has really helped us power through. So even with the scale frozen in place, progress is being made and I am very proud of us and the example we are setting for our kids.