This house is a house of runners. My husband and I met on our college cross country and track team. On most weekends we can be found at a cross country or track meet of the team I help to coach, or at a local road race.... either racing or watching. If I am not helping with the High School team, then I am usually at the gym where I do private running lessons. I don't race as much as Drew does (and being pregnant I run even less), but I enjoy watching him race as much as I like running myself. With that being said, my niece is usually with us. She is a runner herself (long before she joined us for the year), but she is a very recreational runner. She is 6, there is no reason she should be anything BUT recreational. She has been running 5k's since she was 4 years old, she has never been forced. Trust me, if she doesn't want to run, she won't. She will walk and there is no changing her mind, and Drew and I are fine with that, so is her mom. Her favorite part about running in 5k's is when she "passes the old ladies and when people cheer for her at the end". She usually chooses the 5k's based on the T-shirt, she will see uncle Drew get his goody bag then decide that the T-shirt is super cute, and want to enter so she can get the shirt too. So, her running so far has been based on fashion.
During dinner this week, makenzie turns to me and says...
Mak- "Aunt Mandy, you know how I have been running 5k's for fun?"
Me- "yes"
Mak- "Well, I think I need a training plan for my next one... Do you think uncle Drew will make me a training plan?" and without a breath continues on with "Also, I know I am sponsored (she means wearing) by Asics... but I think I want to be sponsored by Brooks, those are uncle Drews shoes right? I think that will help me train better if I get Brooks? When uncle Drew gets home from work can you let him know that I need a training plan and some Brooks?"
Me- Well, I was speechless. I mean totally speechless.
So, this weekend we looked up some 5k's and she is currently deciding on which one she wants to do. Uncle Drew ordered her the exact same shoe (but in her size and color) that he wears... and her and Uncle Drew will begin working on her training plan as soon as she decides which race she wants to do.
This house of runners is so excited to have added another runner to the world!
