A New Season

With the coming of spring, a fast season is upon us.

New faces {with last names}, raw talent, fresh uniforms, 

a few nerves, and a lot of heart.

Welcome back SCMS Track & Field!

We've missed you!

Coach Swistak

 Pre-race Encouragement

Track & Field Fans {embracing the camera}

Future star :: Former sprinter/vaulter

Studying the competition

{and admiring Dada's winning team}

(Originally posted by Ashley @ http://aswistakstory.blogspot.com/)

Greenway on a Sunny Day

 Anne Springs Close Greenway

65 degrees and sunny.

fresh air,

family fun.

:: making friends ::  running :: getting mud on the tires :: exploring the scenery :: 

:: throwing babies :: exercising independence and mobility ::

 

(Originally posted by Ashley @ http://aswistakstory.blogspot.com/)

CW Turkey Trot

On a sleepy, misty Thanksgiving morning, about 35 of our neighbors set out to run the 2nd annual Cameron Wood Turkey Trot in order to justify eating that extra piece of pumpkin pie.  Alekzander snacked on Cheerios, Daddy ran the whole show and finished first, while I rocked Argyle socks and made friends with the "Little Engine That Could."

Ready, Set, Gobble, Gobble, Gobble

Andrew running solo in first place

[Beginning of second loop]

Mama and Alekzander

[End of first loop]

Birthday Dino Racer

HANDmade trophies

Winning :: a family affair

Swistaks (female baby jogger winner + overall winner)

Garons (top girl + top boy finishers)

Osborns (overall female winner + male baby jogger winner)

(Originally posted by Ashley @ http://aswistakstory.blogspot.com/)

What Goes Up - Tyler's Treehouse 5k

What goes up must come down.  I heard that numerous times today and am quite thankful for that simple and predictable fact of physics, especially when it comes to running hills.  Big ones.  Long ones.  Frequent rolling ones. 

In addition to remembering a sad, dark day nine years ago,  today we honored the bright, but too short, life of a local five and a half year old.  We ran in a 5K race to support a foundation called Tyler's Treehouse; it was kicked off by Tyler's younger brother saying, "Weddy, Set, Go!"  And we were off.  In a sea of colors... to run down streets lined with people in green and yellow (Tyler's colors) cheering us on.  By the time I made it to the starting line with the jogging stroller, I saw a flash of orange (Andrew's shirt) a quarter-mile ahead rounding the first turn and then I didn't see Andrew again until he looped back to (literally and figuratively) push Alekzander and I toward the finish line (after his overall eighth place finish!). Thanks to Andrew, Alekzander and I finished strong after tackling the many hills in Old Georgetown.  It wasn't pretty, but we did it!

The happy hum of the runners, the excited energy and solemn spirit of the race, the beautiful houses in the neighborhood, and the cool late summer morning made it a perfect start to a good day.

The look of determination :: After 3 miles

Winner!  

And a cute baby!

(Originally posted by Ashley @ http://aswistakstory.blogspot.com/)

QT at USNWC

While I don't love crowds, I do love quality time spent with myprecious little family.   After watching fireworks with 10,000 otherpeople the night before, we headed out to the U.S. National Whitewater Center for a healthy dose of sunshine, live music, exploring, and people watching. Thousands of people were there as well to enjoy whitewater rafting,rock climbing, zip line-ing, adventure course-ing, mountain bike riding, andtrail running.  

Among the many freedoms we experience each day, today, on our nation's Independence Day, we freely chose to:  attend church, spend quality time with our son, run on wooded trails, listen to live music, and enjoy nature's beauty along with thousands of other proud Americans.

(Originally posted by Ashley @ http://aswistakstory.blogspot.com/)

Good Luck Coach!

Like your runners, I will listen to your advice.

Like your runners, I will believe in myself because of you.

Like your runners, I will try my best all the time.

Like your runners, I will respect you.

Good luck today.  

{{Did I spell everything right, Mama?}}

Concentration + hard work (and a little play) + confidence = WINNING attitude


(Originally posted by Ashley @ http://aswistakstory.blogspot.com/)

Run, Baby, Run!

Post Run:  Posing in the centerfield of Charlotte Motor Speedway 

On Sunday, Alekzander and I ran our first 5K together; this one benefited Young Life and was held at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Andrew ran too, but he was so fast, we can't say that we really ran with him... although when he finished, he looped around to meet up with me, Alekzander and my sweet friend, Abbey, and he ran with us to the finish line.  

There's something about a race that both excites me and throws me in to a fit of anxiety.  I barely slept the night before and was snippy the morning of...  not that it mattered how I finished; its not like a team was counting on me for points at track meet... and I certainly wasn't in contention for the top female runner.  I was a mommy to an almost 4-month old riding patiently in a jogging stroller, with hole-y running shoes, a new snazzy blue running top, and rhythmic, bouncing braids.  I was a friend along for the run, chatting away about anything and everything except breathing... running... aching... moving.  I was a wife cheering (silently in my heart) for my husband who was fast... faster than he gave himself credit for.  And I was a runner!  It felt good to run again, as much as I hate to admit that!  I have had a lengthy love/hate relationship with running for almost 15 years.

Lucky (or not) for Alekzander, he has running in his blood.  Andrew is a natural... and I have great respect for the sport and the discipline it requires.  Whether or not Alekzander chooses to pursue running in the future, we hope that we can be positive examples of health and balance...and love. 

For the next few years, Alekzander will finish each 5K a second before I do as I literally push him in the stroller, and Andrew will figuratively push us both through the finish line.  And I know that there will be a day when my little man's little legs carry him faster than mine can... but I can't wait for more family fun in the form of a 5K road race!

The running crew:  Abbey, Allen, Pete, Todd, Andrew, Alekzander, Ashley

Here are the results.

Who would have thought they would get Alekzander's first name right but mess up his last name?

(Originally posted by Ashley @ http://aswistakstory.blogspot.com/)