2010 Petaluma Footrace!!!!

So, let me paint the backdrop for you.....

A perfectly beautiful, sunny day. (It was 77 here today!) I hopped out of bed at 6:30 am, and my awesome, supportive family all followed shortly thereafter!

I could end my story there, and I'd be happy, because it meant so much to me for them to be there cheering me on!

We got to the race early and was able to get a table for us to all sit at while the kids had a bite to eat and we walked around to see all the vendors. My adorable little children made signs and posters for me that they held up at the start of the race as I ran by! Almost started crying!! And my husband, who knows how much I love to capture memories of any and every special occasion, took lots of pictures for me!! (I even managed to get HIM in one!)

I wouldn't say I was nervous, but as my friend Karla said, "I was nerved up!" I guess it was just the anticipation of it all - it really was just so much fun! Karla is my friend from work who introduced me to this particular 5K and inspired me to start running again, so a big huge thanks to her! Her family was all there to support her as well, and I know we were feeling like the most loved mommies in Sonoma county today! Looking forward to lots more races with you, girl!!

Well, a Smith family outing wouldn't be complete without at least one little "snafoo", and just such a snafoo was discovered when Daryle and I went to take everybody to the bathroom shortly before the race began. Now, I don't have to remind you how much I detest port-a-potties, (please refer to my Avon Walk post from July '09 for a reminder) but there weren't alot of options for "real" bathrooms. Turns out our children have inherited this pure hate for "boxes of crap" from us. Rea was actually SOBBING because she was so grossed out and "couldn't find the flush handle to make it all go away." It took alot of coaxing and counseling to get her to finally go so that I wouldn't be late for the start of the race!! (I was furious because there was no hand-sanitizer and the nurse in me was mentally tallying infectious diseases by the thousands, but I digress...)

Daryle went into the port-a-potty with Ya'shar because, well, he'd be the one to fall in, if anyone would. When they came out, I saw him laughing and shaking his head as they walked towards us.

Turns out Ya'shar opted NOT to put any underwear on this morning beneath his khakis, which is a real head-scratcher since I had laid out a pile of clothes for him to put on that truly DID include a pair of spiderman underwear. When asked the usual question that always follows his antics, "Ya'shar, why did you do that?" his answer left us with a lot more questions that will probably remain equally unanswered.

"I just felt like leaving them at home today."