Papa's Marathon

Today is the day that Gaetan killed his marathon!  We are so proud of you! Way to go!  The weather was nice but a bit breezy... but he was a rock star!  (Of course).  He finished in 4:43 and didn't walk or hit the infamous wall... what a beast!




Our friend Gracie was running it as well and came over on Saturday so that we could get them to the start bright and early.  They ended up driving the course Saturday night, which was good because they had changed it from the previous years.  The morning started bright and early because their race started at 8, so we had to get there a bit earlier... so unfortunately we had get the kids up at that time too.  It was so sweet listening to the girls synchronize snore but we had to go, so we just got them up and put them in the car.  Dude had been up for awhile because of a coughing fit, so our day started around 4:30.. oof.  We got them up and out the door on time and to the start with plenty of time for a nice warm up and anything else that needed to happen.  This gave me enough time to get the kids home, get some breakfast in them and a little bit of play time before we had to head out.  My sister and her crew rode with my Dad and they met us at around the 15 mile mark.  At that point G was looking great!  Strong and not winded at all.  :)  We waited a little bit for Gracie to come through and then we went back to our place for a little lunch.  We had Justus and Jack, and they played a few games with Duder while the girls just hung out.  I was getting us ready to head out the door when my sister called and said that they just saw G around mile 22 and he was going strong!  I panicked because I figured we had enough time to get there but when she was saying that he was going strong I got worried!  I thought that I had calculated the time out right... so we hurried and got there.  I would've felt like the worst person ever if we missed his finish.  I was already feeling pretty badly that we only caught him once during his whole race, but with certain roads being closed and traffic... I wasn't sure what we were going to be able to make.  BUT... we made it there in time and Dude even got to run in the finish with him!  I know that he really enjoyed that.  :)

Ready to go!  bright and early 

The cheering crew

Goose holding Grace's sign that Dude made for her at the expo

Dude's special sign just for Papa

Aunt Holly and Norah cheering them on!

Approaching mile 15!

Still smiling

That weirdo listened to a book on tape for the entire race...

Grace at the same spot

Dude running towards papa down the final stretch

Running it in together... I'm not gonna lie, I was getting a little emotional

A sweet moment

Whoo!!

Staying warm at the end

big thumbs up!  Looks great!

Dude was so proud of Papa

Sweet hardware

Hanging out before we got some dinner

Marathon day was hard on everyone haha

May the fourth be with you!

At the end he looked great and said that he felt really good too! Of course he would say that ;)  Unfortunately we couldn't stay and watch Gracie finish because the girls were getting pretty cold and hungry... but she called when she was done and she sounded upbeat and happy.  :)  I was sad that we couldn't stay and watch her finish, but I think she understood.  She finished her marathon a little under 6 hours, which is amazing!  I was a little worried for her since she had only run a 15 before this, but she did it and we are so proud of her.

Now, we can both say that we've completed marathons, which isn't something just any couple can say. haha.  I told G that I deemed us the power couple of the year haha.  Way to go!  You're the man.

JVG