Z-man is coming!

[The Moose]

(pronounced Zee-man)

I'm about the proudest guy on the planet today.  My 7 year old son just ran his first 5k race today.  I forgot to start my watch until the 500m mark, but his time for 4.5k was 27:44.  That works out to 30:50, assuming the same pace.

Did I mention he's 7 years old?

I never imagined being so happy about running a 31 min 5k race (I haven't run a 5k road race over 20 min since 2002.)!

Did I mention that I'm really proud of him?

After the race he told me, "that was hard Dad."

I asked if he was sick, or hurt.  He said, "no, it was just hard."

He had this big, goofy grin on his face.

You should see the big, goofy grin on my face right now.

I'm so proud.  The best part is, it's all his idea.  He's been begging me to race for 2 years now, this year I've been letting him.  I choose his distances based on what he's already done on the racetrack (hey, 150m to the car is not far to carry him if he drops).  He started by running a mile on the track to prove he could enter the race I'd be running on Canada Day.  So I let him.  He ran 8:32.  I let him enter the 2.5km kids race in Peterborough this Halloween, he was 5th overall in 14:10.
He wanted to race with me, so I figured the Santa Shuffle wasn't for points, and I could keep an eye on him, we raced 5km.  I am so proud.  I hope he keeps at it.

Thanks for your time,

Mike

P.S.  I guess I'd better get training, or he's gonna be handin' the old man his butt before high school.

I'd be so proud.

[Sandy]

See now that's one of the best reasons to run.

Congrats Dad, and congrats to the Zeeman!

[Jane]

Wow, that is awesome!  You are obviously a great role model for your son.  Tell him congratulations on his excellent results!!

[Cathy]

That was a wonderful finish.  I saw you both coming in and the looks on both your faces were so full of joy and pride.  What a wonderful sight.  Congratulations to both of you. 

[ShoppinShannon]

Congrats to you both!!  So inspirational.  My son is seven too, and just recently he expressed an interest in running with me, and even mentioned in his dreams that he was in a race.  I would love someday for that to happen.  I even dream of the two of us crossing the line, hand in hand.  Way to go, proud papa, your a wonderfu positive influence to your son and to us all!