Days with the Dorans

We made it home from Chicago in time to see Joe run!! WLN came in third and Joe was 20th overall (top 18 got medals... grrrr..) So proud of him. I could seriously watch this kid run all day every day! I love it so much! HERE is a video from the day! Love that JD and Abby came down to cheer on their cuz- of course Nana and Papa were there to cheer him on as well! I think they love watching him ALMOST as much as I do! Next up.... REGIONALS!!

  Both of WLN's XC teams won the city meet and it was so much fun! Joey had a great race running on a tough course. We had to laugh since they totally butchered his name (you can see it HERE ). He had a great run but I forgot to write down his time and it's not in Athletic Net (grrrr...)

We were so lucky that we were able to watch Joey run in the County Meet. It was a tough course but he did great and the boys took 3rd in the county! (We have a TOUGH county).  We were so tired from being in Saginaw late the night before but watching my kid run really does fuel me (and so did the tea that Wendi brought me)! So proud of you Joe! Some videos from the county meet can be found HERE . A professional pic someone found and sent me! Coach and the Varsity Boys. Poor Will is injured!

Ok- So I get it... I am writing A LOT about Joey but I know that these days are coming to an end and I just don't want them to. Joe, you are going to need to meet someone in college to go to any race I can't get to and document it for me because watching you brings me soooo much joy! When you run a race and a non-runner says, "Did you win?" I always laugh because that is not really how it works. You run to beat yourself (though it does feel good to beat other runners) but on any given day, on any given course, anyone can win. So much goes into a run and sometimes it just all clicks and that is what happened with Joe on his first career WIN! He beat himself and he beat others! I'm a broken record. SO PROUD! Another quick video HERE .

Who smiles and gives their mom a thumbs up during in the 17 minutes and 14 seconds it takes to run 3.15 miles? My kid! And he even earns a medal doing it! Proud of you, Joe Cool, and of course I put together a video of it HERE . I am savoring every moment! 

  With me missing the 15th for the Boys' birthday, there was no way I was going to be able to miss another day to see Joe run (though I HATED missing it). Joey ran the Spartan Invitational at Michigan State. My parents took him there which was awesome! Seriously... what would I do without them! Love you, Nana and Papa! Nana also saw the photo opportunity when Joe met up with two of his best friends who are now Spartans! There were 229 runners there (in his race alone- there were other levels there too) and so it was very cool that they found each other. I believe Bradley ran for the MSU club team (which Joe plans to do for WMU next year- WMU does not have a XC team).

  Well~ Joey was NOT thrilled that the Varsity boys were running the morning after the homecoming football game at Northwood (not close). Dad and Papa came with us so he had a little cheering section.  I had hoped to get in 5 miles before Joe's race began but there was a crazy long line for the porta-potty and I had to pee like a racehorse so I only did four. I am glad I was able to get a run in and still get there in plenty of time before the start. Joe ran well and is consistently under 18 now. He finished in 17:52 though so close to 18. Out of 146 runners he was 51 and he wasn't happy with his time but hopefully that will fuel him. I can't even imagine running that fast.  I'm so proud of him! The only thing that makes me sad is knowing this will end and I'm not ready! Not so fun fact- Papa lost his key fob at this meet and we were running all over so no way to find it. Oddly enough, I lost my key at the Grizzly (Oakland University) Invitational but someone miracu...

  Joe's last first race of the season was a good one! He has felt a bit behind since he missed camp but if I know Joey he always finishes strong Their first meet is always at Oakland University and it's always a 4k.  He took 20 seconds off his PR there and the the team WON THE INVITATIONAL!!! It was very cool! Ali even came because it was her brother's last race. I think this may be the first meet she has ever been to! Nana and Papa came too and after the race the 6 of us went out to celebrate! This is all very bitter sweet to me. Pics from the day below and a video HERE .