Happy Fourth of July!

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We were up bright and early this morning to run the local 4th of July race – appropriately, a 4 miler.  We are always up bright and early now, so early wakeups for races don’t feel so rough anymore. It was hard to get out of the house on time, though.  Especially since the Husband and I ran around like crazy people looking for red, white, and blue outfits.  And, of course, exchanging numerous jabs about England v. America, as we have for the past 10 years or so.  

 

We ran the race with Jen from Runners Trials and her son Wyatt.  Jen + Wyatt are accomplished jogging stroller racers – as a matter of fact, they won the stroller division last year and were back to defend the title. 

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Wyatt and Henry shared tips before the race talk.  I heard Wyatt say, “Don’t let your mommy come out too fast! Be sure to take in fuel, like cereal puffs from your little snack container.  And if running makes your stomach hurt, just poop in your diaper.”  Good advice, Wyatt.  

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One National Anthem later, the strollers were off!  We had a two minute head start.  Jen and Wyatt immediately charged past us, but the Hus, Henry, and I fell into a nice, steady rhythm.

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Oh man – this course was rough!  There were a lot of hills, and it was super humid.  Jen checked her phone after the race and told me that it was 100% humidity.  It felt like we were running through bathwater.  I was hot instantly, and it hurt to breathe as I ran up the hills.  I managed to hold third place in the stroller division for a while but dropped back around Mile 2.  Some of those mommas are FAST.

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I’m not sure of my official time yet, but I think it was around 40 minutes.  Not bad for lugging 42+ pounds up and down Charlotte’s hilliest streets.  And my dear friend Jen and Wyatt placed FIRST in the stroller division.  Way to go!

 

Don’t Wyatt and Henry look like brothers?  Strangers always think they are related.

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Post-race cool down….

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All in all, a very fun way to kick off the holiday.  We were feeling so good after the race that we decided to throw a last-minute BBQ for our friends.  I found myself at Party City at 9:02 AM buying balloons and decorations.  And then we headed to a fireworks tent to get some boom boomers.  It’s looking like our ho-hum holiday is actually going to be quite fun.

 

Stay safe around those fireworks!  Have a great holiday!

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{ 36 comments }

 

  • Suzanne July 4, 2013, 12:13 pm

    Happy fourth, Caitlin!

  • Tricia July 4, 2013, 12:14 pm

    You look amazing. Like better than pre-baby. That’s awesome. Congrats on the race!

    • Verna July 4, 2013, 1:06 pm

      You do look amazing!

      • Caitlin July 4, 2013, 1:30 pm

        You guys are really nice. Thanks!

        • Kyla July 4, 2013, 1:44 pm

          Not only do you physically look great, you also look reaaaaaaally happy : )

          • Caitlin July 4, 2013, 2:02 pm

            I am 🙂

          • Live Love Yum Well July 6, 2013, 4:32 am

            I was going to say the same – you look amazing!! How did you do it?? Is it the juice? Increased exercise? Good on you! 🙂

  • Kristi July 4, 2013, 12:53 pm

    What a great way to start off the holiday. I think it’s great when I see such festivities. I wish there was stuff like that going on where I live.

  • Rachel July 4, 2013, 12:53 pm

    What a fun way to kick off the long holiday weekend! And when did Henry’s hair turn blonde???

  • Verna July 4, 2013, 1:06 pm

    They do look a lot alike! That’s adorable! Great race!

  • Laura @ Mommy Run Fast July 4, 2013, 1:23 pm

    Nice work! And so fun that you could run with Jen! Running in the humidity is ridiculously challenging. You can take another few minutes off your time just for that. 🙂

  • Lindsay @ Health Foragers July 4, 2013, 1:42 pm

    Very cool. I have always wanted to do a stroller race but am terrified my daughter will freak out in the middle of it. Haha.

  • Kim July 4, 2013, 1:50 pm

    Awesome job pushing through (and pushing a stroller in) the HUMID weather. I find humidity hard to deal with than heat because it is so difficult to breathe when running. I love the toddler talk… too cute! Enjoy the rest of the holiday!

  • Miranda @ Miranda Runs July 4, 2013, 2:27 pm

    Oh my gosh you are SO small! Post baby girl, you look amazing! Congrats on the run! Happy 4th <3

  • Rachael @ Pizza, Run, Repeatza July 4, 2013, 3:20 pm

    Way to go! Sounds like you had a great run!

  • Karen @ Runner Girl Eats July 4, 2013, 3:21 pm

    Congrats on a strong run. Stroller running+hills is no joke! And I agree, you are looking awesome.

  • Jenny July 4, 2013, 3:27 pm

    I always found running with a stroller really difficult, I literally avoided it at all costs!
    That being said, I think that having a stroller pushing division is really sweet! It’s great to see that those who have to push around those extra pounds are being recognized accordingly!
    Congrats to you and your friend!

  • Lauren @ Breathe & Nourish July 4, 2013, 3:31 pm

    Last weekend as I watched half marathon finishers, I saw a mom pushing a stroller run through the finish line and was in awe. It’s so incredible to me that you run with a stroller and a baby! You’re amazing, no matter how fast or slow you run with Henry! You rock, girl!

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat July 4, 2013, 7:24 pm

    I have to agree with the ladies above – you DO look amazing, Caitlin!! Great job on the race, and congrats to Henry on his first one!! I hope you have a great BBQ with your friends, and enjoy the rest of your holiday!

  • Katie @ Live Half Full July 4, 2013, 7:32 pm

    Wow, they do look like brothers! Good job!

  • Louise July 5, 2013, 8:26 am

    Well done! That sounds tough! I bought our jogging stroller thinking I would run every day like before, but just with this small addition – ha ha ha ha ha, oh how I laugh in the face of pre-baby me. So I’ve used it a few times in a year for actual running and I can safely say you are a legend.
    Also my husband is British and I’m an Aussie, so we have the imperialist invader/convict arguments 🙂

  • Joy July 5, 2013, 8:39 am

    I have to chime in and agree with the other posters and say that you really do look amazing.

    Congratulations on a great race! I run in the humidity here in New York and know it is no fun running in those conditions.

  • Erin July 5, 2013, 8:50 am

    You look so amazing one year post baby!!
    I just hit that point and still have 15 lbs to lose. You are such an inspiration to other mommas!

  • Jacquelyn @justjacq July 5, 2013, 10:43 am

    Ummmm love the old guy’s grey hair flowing in the wind. His legs are killer. Congrats to you pushing that stroller in that humidity! Ugh, I can not imagine!

  • Hyedi July 5, 2013, 11:29 am

    awww, too cute!! Nice race 🙂

  • Kelly July 5, 2013, 11:37 am

    Congrats! You look great! Would love to hear your thoughts as a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom on avoiding mindless snacking since you’re home all day. As a SAHM, that’s been a big problem for me!

    • Caitlin July 5, 2013, 11:39 am

      I’m working on this now, too. It’s hard. I have noticed that if I have easily ‘snackable’ foods in the house like chips or cookies, I WILL EAT THEM. For me, I just have to keep it out of the house. I can always get treats when we are out or for special parties at the house.

  • Sara July 5, 2013, 6:26 pm

    Great way to start the day with 4 mile run :). I don’t know how hard it was to run in such humid time and aswell pushing the stoller all the time :o. Congrats

    cheer, Sara

  • Jen July 5, 2013, 6:30 pm

    Hey Caitlin ,Happy 4th of July. Yesterday we had a half marathon for cancer awareness and my friend was also pushing the stroller in the race.

  • Cassie July 6, 2013, 1:42 am

    I don’t think the babies faces look alike, but they have very similar hair color. That and the fact that they look the same age is probably what makes people think they’re related!

  • You Write You July 6, 2013, 4:35 am

    Unbelievable that you run with a stroller!

  • Chetney July 6, 2013, 9:47 am

    Running with a stroller!! So awesome 🙂 I hope your fourth was beyond happy but it seems as though it was already amazing just from the race recap and all@ SO glad you had a good time!

  • Jacqueline July 6, 2013, 6:18 pm

    So awesome! First time commenter, but I had to tell you how great you look and how happy your son seems. Awesome blog, I enjoy reading- you even helped inspire me to start my own weight loss and health journey.

  • Leah July 7, 2013, 4:52 pm

    The advice that Wyatt gave to Henry made me laugh so hard! 🙂

  • Sall-e July 8, 2013, 11:17 am

    Good work! I was in a 10 mile bike ride on the 4th which raised 7k for the local veteran’s hospital.

  • Erin July 12, 2013, 3:47 pm

    I decided to comment (for once) to tell you how freaking AMAZING you look… and then I saw that the majority of your readers beat me to the punch… so here it is again: you look GREAT. And congrats on your (half) Ironman registration!

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