Run, Taylor, Run!!

Taylor decided to join her school's cross country team at the first of January. The team was formed this year in the fall. She didn't want to join then but after our family ran the Senior Bowl 5K in November she decided she wanted to. To make the team she had to run 2 miles in 26 or 28 minutes (I can't remember.) When she made the team she was very excited and committed. They had practice every Monday and Friday and meets a couple of times on Tuesdays. They also had one mandatory Port City Pacers 5K a month to run on Saturdays and several other optional races. Each of the 5K races gives awards based on age divisions. She is still in the lowest division, 0-9 girls. This is mostly 9 year old girls. A couple of times there have been younger participants (like her sisters) but not very often. Taylor's hardwork has paid off. At her most recent race, she ran her best time ever - 33:10. This is almost 7 minutes faster than her first 5K. She ran this race with her coach, Ms. Green who was encouraging her the whole way. Here they are together at the end of the year banquet. She is a great coach and sacrificed alot for this team. She ended the season with knee surgery after running a little too hard with Taylor at that last race.

It hasn't always been easy for her. She has finished a couple of races in tears after pushing herself. Hayden has been willing to help her out a few times. Knowing that there were treats and awards at the end of each race also helps.
This was after the Bunny Chase 5K where I think she placed first.

This was part of the ERD team before one of the races.

This was at the end of the year banquet. It is such a great group of kids and parents. Everyone cheers each other on and waits at the end of the race to high-five their team mates. She is excited to be on this team again next year.

These are her other 3rd grade team mates and the rising stars of ERD cross country team.