Running Hearts

Pre-race

As parents, one our most important job is to nurture our children and help them grow. We always encourage our children to try new things and encourage them to do their best. In June, 8-year-old Einey came home and said she wanted to run in the school's annual 5K summer road race. We're not runners, but this is something she wanted to do. So we signed her up, found her a race partner and encouraged her.

We took her to practice a few times (sadly she likes to sleep in and July was WICKED brutal heat wise) so we didn't practice as much as we should have.


Today, the race day dawned. It was cool and sunny - a perfect day for the race.

And race her heart out she did.


She didn't come in first. But she didn't come in last.

As the racers started to cross the finish line, I just prayed that she would make it to the end. That it wouldn't be too far for her. That she wouldn't give up.

Crossing the finish line, with a smile still on her face

But she still had a smile on her face when she crossed the finish line. Second to last. Her racing partner let her cross first, so that she wouldn't be last (THANK YOU!!!!)

We are so PROUD of our little girl, for having a goal and sticking with it. For putting her heart into it. For running her heart out.

We strive to show our kids that winning isn't important. That we are proud of them as long as they try their hardest. And have fun doing it. And by the smile on her face throughout the race, we can see that our girls are listening and learning. And having fun! And that's all that counts!!!