Family

In September my Father in law turned 90.  To celebrate we had the entire family here at our place where we ate, laughed, watched football, and celebrated the life of the man who started this clan!  We had almost all of his children, their spouses, the grand children, their spouses and the great grand children.  I believe we were only missing a couple of folks and so we had 33 people in our home.

What makes this so special is celebrating the man he had been to all of us.  Caring and kind, gentle yet stern, and until recently pretty damn self sufficient.

Food and drink flowing, games and conversation, memories thrown around with laughter all helped us to remember the wonderful times this family has had together.

Sadness also raised her head when we remembered those who have passed on, a mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a son, husband, cousin, nephew taken too early in life.  We celebrate their life as well for they made us all better people.

So what does this have to do with running?  Well running is something that keeps us grounded, just as family does and many in this family run, exercise, bike and otherwise keep fit.  And so what do you do with family when everyone is itching for a run together but there isn't a lot of time to drive to a 5k race?  You have your own!

Terry's idea was a predictive run and everyone was right on board.  You have to run naked in this case means no watch, Garmin, of any kind.  Prior to running everyone writes down the time they predict they will run.  Terry and I got up early to mark of the 3 mile course we had mapped earlier in the week, we did so with flour and enlisted Tanner to ride his bike to lead the course.  We then assigned two other non-running family members to do the timing. 

With a predictive run it doesn't matter how fast you are it only matters that you are able to get closest to what you predict, therefore it's a fun race for all even if you are walking.

We then found an old ugly vase that had the look of a trophy and filled it with almond joy's (Papa's favorite candy), after all this is a celebration of his life.

And so the first annual Papa's Predictive Run went off without a hitch.

So you see, running can bring a family together in the midst of celebration and sadness.  What a great time we had with family, and to think all of us will someday see our children, their children, and their children growing healthy and strong and know that it was because of our love they are in this world.