"What was that Middle Thing Again?"

Yesterday was - well - interesting? One, it was a Holiday everyone in our family had off. Christmas and Thanksgiving are the only others. Except for Labor Day last year, and again this year. Which is my segue into my title (line taken from Kevin Kline in A fish Called Wanda.)

We went hiking yesterday. Nothing big there except all of us went. Typically it is me with my oldest two boys and sometimes my daughter. Yesterday, my wife and youngest joined us. So, I made it a short easy one. At least I thought? Everyone except my little girl complained for the 2 mile round-trip hike near Lake Mead. Okay, it was warmer than it has been. In fact, finally, Vegas will be turning into the furnace we love (not!) this week with some 100's. Yesterday, 96 during the hike.

Something happened with my wife though. Whether it was the hike itself. Seeing a few friends she works with on the trail. Seeing her two oldest boys gripe and complain endlessly. All while knowing her husband spends countless hours and miles trying to be an example of active living going to waste on them for at least one day. Or, maybe it was seeing how her little girl really does have an inner something that says I will not give up!

Anyway, later that night, as I was trying to get ready for my Monday night run after a nice BBQ dinner with my Runner Nephew. I was sitting at my computer/desk lacing up the shoes, when it call came out.

Wife: "Now you did sign all of us up for the Family Run at Disneyland?"

Slightly bewildered (mind pre-occupied with that act of tying shoes) Husband:  "What? You mean the boys? You want them trying a 5K at their ages?" "Um, I thought we were waiting on that till they turn 11 and 12?"

Wife: "Yeah, the boys, their Mom and little Sister."

Husband (now with pre-run water gulp coming out my nose): "Uh....what?....what was that middle thing again?"

Wife: "YOU heard me. AND don't ask why? Just do it!" 

Then she turned over in our bed and fell asleep. Was I dreaming? Was she dreaming? Was she talking in her sleep? Nope! 

I took the trip downstairs to stretch. I walked outside ready to run. Then paused. Head cocked or slightly turned sideways looking up at the night sky. Then I quickly turned around, ran back upstairs. 

Husband: "You really want to do it?" 

Wife (half asleep): "Sign Me Up! I will do it as long as the kids do it with me!"

Husband: "So, what Area 51 spacecraft came down to Lake Mead and Hoover Dam while hiking taking my wife away and leaving you?

After pillow hits me in the head hard enough to actually knock me over.

Wife (sitting up in bed): "Just do it now before I change my mind."

YIPPEE!!! and WOW!!! Over $200.00 later of registration fees for my 10 and 9 year old boys, soon to be 7 year old girl and my ( I still think Alien) wife; are all signed up for their first and most expensive 5k Run. Worth it? Priceless actually!

Although, it took longer than I expected because I messed up the whole guardian signing/registering up my kids thing the first time around. Yeah? I was a little over excited. Anyway, due to the delays of a "do it now or before I change my mind" challenge/moment - no run last night. Worth it? What do you think?

I am still not sure what to expect? I mean, I know she will do it. Doing it one way or the other. Meaning run, jog or walk. You only need a 16 min. mile pace to get your finisher medal. Plus, even with that said, they usually give them out even if you don't. Yet, WOW is all I have in me right now. Folks you have no clue how earth shattering this is! At least she picked a memorable one and place to do her first event like this. My inner happiness overflows right now.

Have a great Day!

Cheers!

PS - Yes, I know the above pix is a Marathon Pin from 2005. It was all I could find online to denote the event. My wife and three of my kids will be doing the 5K Family run Sept 4th. While I do the Half Marathon the next day. Too late to sign up for the Half, but if anyone wants to support my wife and kids - the 5K is only 61% capacity right now. I will need to watch our 5 year old and cheer from the sidelines. Come on and join us!

Also, just under the wire last night. I signed up for 2011 Surf City HM during their early discounted signing period for previous participants! So, my first race for 2011 is on the board!