tidbits & the mayor's 5k

Hi all...

We had a nice weekend here...I have a few tidbits to share, and then I'll get on with the Mayor's 5k race...

:: First of all, I am proud to say that I am doing my part to be "Green"...I've been trying to do little things, like putting my plastic water bottles in the recycle bin at work, and recycling all the paper we use in the office. Today, I decided to buy 10 canvas reusable bags at the grocery store, to take with me each week when I do my grocery shopping. This will save a bunch of plastic bags, and I am happy to be doing it...

:: Aspen and I stopped at Junk Warehouse, where we both found cute new purses! I love mine, it is hot pink, and very cute for spring/summer. I will be changing it out with my Coach bag, and life is good! :)

:: The clean eating was not great this past week. Blah. And this coming week will hold some treats due to my birthday (namely, delicious ice cream cake!!)...I'm going to try to eat as clean as I can leading up to that, and then after my birthday, I need to get serious...

:: We watched Marley & Me on Friday evening...awwww...we really enjoyed it. There were multiple parts that made me cry, but it was also so so funny. I thought Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston were perfect for the movie, and was very pleased that they stayed so close to the book. It was a touching movie, and showed a very realistic representation of a marriage...

:: Now...onto the Mayor's 5k Race! The mayor of Abilene hosted a 5k race downtown this weekend, with about 425 runners in attendance...Chris and Aspen both ran, along with many of our friends and runners from the track club that Aspen runs with. The race started at 8:30, and I was waiting down the road a bit, around a corner. I wasn't sure what I expected to see come around the building, but I was in for a surprise...

Chris was leading the race, and he was running so fast! I have never seen him run with such a long, speedy stride...he was in the zone!!! His friend Rolando was right behind, and the two of them took off like demons were chasing them! Here's a pic of them as they rounded the first corner...



The race began and ended in the same area, so after everyone had passed, I set up to see them cross the finish line. The first place guy came running in not long after, and Chris was close on his heels...he ran a great time of 18:56, coming in 2nd overall and 1st in his age group. I was so excited for him! He ran a great race, got out so quickly, and almost had that guy at the end.

Aspen also had a fantastic race...her goal was to break 21 minutes, and her track club coach, Coach Art, ran part of the race with her to pace her...he pushed her so hard, and when I saw them coming into the finishing area together, I could tell just how hard Aspen was running. It was so wonderful to see her giving everything she had. That is the beauty of Coach Art...he knows what she is capable of, and motivates her in just the way she needs to be motivated...and because of that, Aspen ran 20:59, breaking her goal of 21 minutes! AND on top of that, she was the first female to cross the finish line!!!!!! That is a huge deal, she beat out a few older, more experienced runners. We are so very proud of her! She is definitely working very hard to become the best she can be, and it is so inspiring to see her have a goal and to do what she can to reach that goal. It is going to be so fun to watch her these next five year, in junior high and high school. And then in college too!!!! We are excited to see what she can accomplish.

Because of being the first place female finisher, Aspen received an all-expenses paid trip to Austin, TX to run in the Govenor's 5k race this coming weekend. That includes hotel, gas, mileage, $40 per day for meals, plus the entry fee...all so she can represent Abilene. What a big honor for a 12 year old girl!!! Unfortunately, Saturday is also the date of her band trip to Six Flags that has been planned forever, and paid for...she's got a big decision to make, and at this time I do not know what she wants to do. So, the weekend is up in the air...

Coach Art pacing Aspen, and giving her some valuable race tips along the way...we love Coach Art!

Chris coming in for a strong finish...

Aspen running as hard as she could into the finishing area...wow, what a race!!

Aspen receiving her trophy and Austin trip details from Mayor Norm Archibald. Everyone in the race also received a certificate that said, "I raced against the mayor...and won!"

Chris receiving his medal from the mayor...

What a very exciting day for the Baber runners! On top of all this, Aspen and Chris were both interviewed by the tv station...a new experiece for them both, but unfortunately neither interview made it into the clip that evening. One man even came up to Aspen, asked her name and age, and said, "I'm going to be reading a lot about Aspen Baber in the years to come, I know that! You are a very strong runner!"

What's next for this running star? :) This Thursday, she will be running in a meet here in town against high schoolers...that will be exciting, as there will actually be some competition there for her, and we are excited to see her push herself and to be pushed. Can she break the elusive 6:00 mark??? I think she will!!!