Each Labor Day weekend, as South Dakotans descend on Huron for the State Fair, a special tradition quietly takes it place at the edge of town: Andy’s Road Race. This year marked the 43rd running of the event, and once again, our family laced up and showed up. For Sarah, this race began when she was in college, and has brought special memories for her going back home to Huron. This race was the first time I had gone to Huron, 3 weeks after we started dating in our second year of medical school. Only then it was a 5k and a 10 mile race. Of course, I had to impress Sarah and run the 10 mile. It was an adventure! Since then, it has been a 5k and a 10k race. This year Sarah and I did the 5k race, and our daughter, Megan, ran the 10k. We all won gold medals for our age group (and there was a pretty good turn out of people!) But the real victory–I was waiting for Megan at mile 5, and ran the rest of the way with her to get her in. She was struggling. But she did it! Proud of her!
Megan’s reaction after winning first! Of course, she was just screwing around and did not know I was taking a picture, but here you have it! The weather could not have been better–cool enough to run, warm enough to enjoy the day. After the race, we did what other South Dakotans do after the race–we hit the State Fair! Exhibits. Photos. A lot of walking. We saw a few Watertown faces there as well.
We all finished. Dan came along with to cheer us all on. It was a good day at the Fair. It was also a long day, taking off from home Saturday morning to get to Huron in time for the race. We saw Sarah’s parents, and had breakfast with them. We saw Suzy, Sarah’s sister, working at the Fair. Our kids have run this race many times. I hooked Sarah with this race many years ago. It has now become our family tradition as well. Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day of newest streak: # 550