Me and My Shadow


Last weekend I was able to spend about 48 hours in Wisconsin with my 2 nieces and my nephew (all under age 5), also known as the munchkins.  I don’t get to see them very often since I live on the east coast.  I treasure every minute I get to spend with them.

The one thing you learn quickly about children is that they are little sponges.  They pay attention and remember more than we think.  My oldest niece Ava knows I am a runner.  In the past she has told people “My Aunt Molly runs REALLY far!”  She has also been known to ask if she can ride her bike next to me when I run.  She is my little runner in waiting and I love her interest in it. 


I get up fairly early to run even when I am on vacation at their house.  Last weekend was no different.  The first morning I was getting ready to run and Ava asked me if she could go running with me.  Of course Naomi, age 2, chimed in that she wanted to go too. I explained that I was going for a big people run (that always sounds kind of condescending to me).  She was disappointed but I told her we would have a special kids race later on the day.  That seemed to make her happy.  So after getting kisses and high-fives from all 3 of them I headed out.  They watched, with their little faces pressed up against the window as I waited for the Garmin to catch a satellite and then took off.  When I returned from my run Ava did what she always does as I walk in the door … she ran up to give me a big hug.  She doesn’t seem to even notice I am usually sweating like a pig.


That afternoon we decided to head to the animal park.  I told her that while we were there we would have our race. She picked up the running jacket I got her for Christmas and was ready to go.  We had to convince her that she didn’t need her jacket to run.  It was pretty warm outside.  Once we had visited some of the animals we went to play in the park and to have our race.  We did some running back and forth and then I let her put on my Garmin so she could do a timed run.  I promised her I would upload her run to Daily Mile when we got home.  She, Naomi and even little Simeon took off.  She was so proud of herself.

Later that day we decided to ride bikes, well Ava and Naomi rode their bikes and I walked along side of them.  We just went around the block a few times because Naomi is just learning to ride and has not mastered the whole stopping thing.  They both can go pretty fast.

I am so glad I got to spend time doing activities with my munchkins and I am happy that they love to be active.  That sets a good path for a healthy future ... and for lots of fun with Aunt Molly when she visits.