Zoo Run

This weekend the San Antonio Zoo held its 23rd annual Zoo Run. This consists of an eight mile team relay on Friday night for the adults and various kids races the next morning.

The Wheelers came over from Houston to participate with us on both days. Greg and Jessica joined Liz and I for the relay. We were in the Novice Co-Ed division, since we had never run the race before, and our team was named "Mabilisna" by Liz's younger brother James who was a missionary in the Philippines (I think it means something like "really fast" in Tagalog, and it was hilarious watching the guy try to pronounce it at the awards ceremony). We were hoping to run under one hour, but just missed and ran a 1:00:59. Still, we placed 37th overall out of 175 teams, averaged a 7:37 mile and won our division by nearly eight minutes. The course was through Brackenridge Park next to the zoo and was pretty flat, but had lots of uneven surface and sharp curves. It was 94 degrees at race time (6:30 p.m.) and pretty humid there next to the San Antonio river. Jessica and Liz ran the first two legs in the sun and suffered through it. By the time I ran the third leg and Greg anchored, the sun was down and the fireflies were blinking everywhere. It was a great time and even though we didn't quite hit our target, running away (HA!) with the division was a good consolation prize. Click here for the official results.

The next morning we got up early for the kids races that started at 8:30 a.m. inside the zoo. Charles, Joey and Victor ran a 1/4 mile course while Samantha and Rachel ran a 1/2 mile course.

In the 0-3 boys division, Joey ran a great race and won the bronze medal (actually, Joey should have gotten silver, but a slightly crazed grandma dragged her grandson into second place at the last minute--and while we're making excuses, we should have checked the birth certificate of the winner as well). Joey was both excited and serious about the whole thing. He talked about the race non-stop before hand, was very focused during, and continued to talk about it non-stop afterwards. He went out pretty fast and started to fade near the end, but Liz (who was running with him) encouraged him to keep his pace up and he did a great job. He was beaming when they put the bronze medal around his neck.

Charles, on the other hand. . . well. . . let's just say he enjoyed his time at the zoo. He probably placed somewhere in the bottom third of the field in the 4-5 boys division, but he can also probably tell you every animal he saw, in order. As with Joey, Liz ran with Charles, but was slightly annoyed at how many times Charles would slow down to look at an exhibit, read a sign, or point out some other curious thing.

The Wheeler kids also did a great job. Rachel was especially strong and destroyed everyone in the 8-10 girls division, winning the 1/2 mile in 4:22 and beating the second place girl by a full 30 seconds.

Here are some pictures and videos of the races:

Our relay team before the race.


The winning team "Mabilisna" with our gold medals after the race.


Joseph waiting for the start of his race.


Probably thinking of Chariots of Fire, with his escort close behind.


Right after the finish--very pleased with his participant ribbon.



Not able to take his eyes off of his bronze medal at the awards ceremony.


One last picture of him admiring the medal.


Charles ready to run. . . or not run. . . whatever.


The Kewish boys with their ribbons.


This quickly devolved into them putting their ribbons on their heads.

And as always, Tori's big blue eyes watching everything that is going on.


Video of Joey's race. Pay close attention to him yelling to me "DAD! ARE YOU READY FOR ME TO RUN?" from the starting line. Also, I crack up at his immediate reaction to the airhorn. Maybe it was the adrenaline that helped him.


Video of Charles' race. I fully believe he is trying his best, but it just doesn't seem that way when you watch him. We were still very proud.