We hit up our last Cyclocross race of the season on Sunday. In the days leading up to the race, the girls had convinced themselves that they would be racing in the kids race. They told anyone and everyone. They were super excited. We got them their numbers and did a practice lap. Tula on her scoot bike, decided that the swings were more appealing than pushing that little bike through the grass. I couldn't blame her. Gwen on the other hand ate it up! It helped having the whole Tacoma Cyclocross team cheering her on. She killed it. Matt and I couldn't help but notice that Gwen's bike was not a cross bike, I think if she had had one the finish would have been pretty close. She ended up getting lapped by a kid half her size on a bike twice as big as hers. We were actually pretty surprised to see that so many little kids had such fancy tiny cross bikes. I suppose we shouldn't be so surprised, like all sports, the lure of fancy equipment is tempting. Digressions aside, my girl did great! We are so proud. They did 6 laps through the grass track. When the officials decided on 6 laps all of us grown ups said "6?" knowing full well that half of us would have been wheezing in the 35 degree chill if we had to pull 6 laps on that grass track. Gwen didn't stop pedaling the whole time. When she finished she had a huge grin, followed closely by a couple brief tears of exhaustion. It was great to see that accomplishment proudly displayed on her little face.
