Running Is HARD WORK

*photo by Mrs. Purdy

When I was growing up, July 4th was more often than not a day for hot, summer haying. In the evening, with our bodies covered in welts and prickles from hay bales, we roasted hot dogs and marshmallows as an afterthought, which ended the day on a fun and memorable note, but still, it wasn't exactly a day of lollygagging about.  On Labor Day, we would often gather wood for winter and skip the picnic altogether. When we'd complain about having to work on a national holiday, Dad would retort, "Why do you think it's called LABOR Day?"

My children are spoiled almost to ruin. 

No hay on holidays.

No wood, neither.

They ran in a race on Labor Day, while the rest of us sweated in the shade.

*photo by Mrs. Purdy

This was Annika's second race and Susannah's first, and they were joined by a great number of the Purdy clan, one of whom (Owen!) was kind enough to alert Annika about it so they could join in the fun. (FYI: This same Owen ran a 30+ mile Spartan race two days prior and still sped through the course and got a trophy. Yes, Owen, don't even deny it. Your slow recovery pace IS speeding to the rest of us average humans.)

While looking at these pictures, Annika mused, "I don't think other people like talking during races." She then recounted the things she said to her friends during the race as they crossed paths and their responses (if they had an audible response at all).   I told her they were focused on moving their legs and pushing air into their lungs. During a race, most people are!

Not this girl, though. A race is just an opportunity to hang out with friends and wave to her mother...while moving fast. :)

Skylark was happier with Mrs. Purdy than she was with me! Being a mother of 12 children gives this lady an unfair advantage.

Millie was rushing to crochet a second tomato to throw at Deirdre as she crossed the finish line. Ah-- sweet, sweet friendship.

Annika lost by a half-second hair to Cadie, who was a speedy rabbit in blue. Annika was glad for the company, and I think this race taught her (maybe?) that during races you're expected to push yourself.

Susannah needs to learn you can run faster with 2 hands and oblivion regarding your mother's camera. (To be fair, after I took this picture, she poured on the juice and passed the girl in front of her just before the finish line.)

It was a thrilling experience for both of them, and they're already planning on entering again next year.

They even went home with trophies!  Not all the Purdy trophy-winners are here, but Cadie was second in overall women and first in her age group, Annika was third in overall woman and first in her age group, and Susannah was third in her age group. (Aidan won first prize in the Goofy Face Competition. No one else even came close.)

And here's the fine-looking group all together after the race, the Running King front and center. (Although, if I were you, Owen, I'd be a little worried about Caleb in the future. He's definitely too fast to be a normal human and is probably just biding his time before the revolution.)