REINDEER RUN

Saturday was the Reindeer Run!  It is a 5K race around Lake Harriet where thousands of people dress up in holiday costumes and enjoy the outdoors.  This has become a Mork family tradition. Well, actually, this is only our second year, but I am confident that this won't be our last!  It is a fun environment and pretty low key.  Everyone agreed to attend the race and the predictions were as follows...  When asked, Romeo and Rodrigo wanted to RUN the race.   That would put them in first place!  I thought that maybe Allen and Bjork would be close behind.  Lindsay was hinting at also running.  I knew that no matter what, I would be walking.  And Steph was definitely NOT running, but had agreed to be a participant.  Kristin (with her stress fracture) would be cheering us on from the sidelines and Roselyn would be by her side.  Well, we were all wrong!  Here is what really happened.

Kristin decided that her foot was feeling better so she and Steph(!) took the early lead.  They got caught up in the flow of runners at the start of the race and that was the last time we saw them.  Since Kristin was IN the race, Roselyn decided to also participate.  Lindsay, Roselyn and I advanced to the middle of the pack with an initial steady walk.  The boys started out running, but that lasted for only about 200 yards.  It very quickly turned into a walk and then a stroll down the snowy path.  Allen and Bjork hung with the young guys. I do believe that they all had a good male bonding time together.

As we made the first turn around the lake we could see that the wind was going to be a problem.  It was VERY COLD (even by Minnesota standards).  Lindsay and I tried to block the wind for Roselyn but in spite of our efforts, Roselyn was obviously FREEZING to death.  We were at about the halfway mark when Roselyn asked..."How much farther, Mom?"  As I looked past her, I could see the bandshell which was on the opposite side of the lake.  I didn't have the heart to tell her that we had to get to the huge building ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE LAKE! so I just said..."Well, we have a little ways to go.  You are doing GREAT, Roselyn!!!"   She didn't say anything, but I'm sure she must have been wondering what we had gotten her in to.  (Just for the record, with the wind, it was probably below zero at this point.)  I called Bjork to see if the boys had turned around and maybe, just maybe... he and the rest of the guys could come pick us up in the van.  No such luck.  Although we couldn't see them...the boys were trudging along about 500 feet behind us.  Bjork had Rigo on his back and they were slowly inching themselves towards the finish line.  Romeo and Allen were bringing up the rear.  It seemed more like an expedition than a race.

The best thing about these little Fun Runs is the assortment of snacks at the finish line.  It had been a difficult race for our family but there was some anticipation as we headed for the snack table.  Unfortunately, the only snacks left were bags of potato chips and water.  I did manage to snatch a cup of coffee, but there was no hot chocolate to be found.  All the bananas, granola bars, donuts and other good stuff was gone.  Steph and Kristin decided to wait for the snacks until we all finished, so they missed out as well.  The boys, however were thrilled with the potato chips and took several bags!

The race was...an adventure.  There were a few desperate moments, but all in all it was something our family did TOGETHER.   I am sure we will all laugh about it someday...but for now we will let the memory fade a bit before we speak again about next year's Reindeer Run.