Cougar Run and Cello Recital

Ever since Nathan, Ethan and Lizzy got to race in Spanish Fork, we have been looking for a race that everyone could enter. We found the BYU Cougar run which was part of the homecoming festivities. Unfortunately Lin couldn't run because of knee surgery and I couldn't run because I had to take Lizzy to a cello class right after the younger kids ran. It was a very cold morning, but not as cold and stormy as the weatherman had predicted, so we were pleased with that. Here are the kids with their numbers on. Seth needed a little encouragement because of the cold weather. But he was very excited to get to "wear a number and run." Nathan offered to run with him if he was nervous but he told Nathan to get off of the track because he knew how to run and could do it himself.
Here he is ready to go.

He did a great job and was very patient in the finish chute though he wasn't sure what was going on. Here's Lizzy ready to go

She has a great stride - she finished 5th out of about 25 girls.

Caleb had been sick but he wanted to run anyway. He did an 800 meter race like Lizzy and he was pretty tired. He kept up a really strong pace though. Look at him go.

Ethan ran the mile and did a great job. Both Ethan and Lizzy agreed that they prefer the 5K distance though. Lizzy said that in the 5 K you can run fast sometimes and slow sometimes, but in an 800 you just have to run fast all the time. You can tell that she is already an experienced pacer. Here is Ethan showing off his fabulous kick.

Jeremy and Nathan ran the 5K. Although this was Jeremy's first 5K he was able to hold his mile pace under 8 minutes, and surprise several people by sprinting past them just before the finish line. Nathan improved his time over the Spanish Fork race and is anxious to work harder and take it under 25 minutes in the near future. The boys placed 8th and 9th in their age division (13-15) and were in the top 25% overall. They were happy with their race, but very cold (my fault - I told Jeremy to take off his jacket because I though he would get hot, he didn't get hot).

Later that day Lizzy had a cello recital at Jamestown Senior living Center. She passed off her "Twinkles" which is a really big deal in the world of Suzuki strings- basically it means that we finally get to hear her play something new. Here she is with her teacher Megan Boyle. She is amazing and we are happy that we found her.The boys also participated in the recital. They were able to "borrow" a cellist to complete their string quartet. Ethan has also picked up viola now to allow for more flexibility of ensemble music. They did a medley of hymns that the residents of Jamestown really enjoyed.