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Last month, Liz and I ran the half-marathon in Baltimore. At age 11, she is the youngest to have ever run this race in Baltimore. And she completed the race in 2:00:00. That is a fantastic time. To put that in perspective, the next youngest girl was 12, a few years earlier, and finished in 3:57:00, nearly two hours slower.

13.1 miles. Our plan was to run 9 1/2 minute miles. But, we got on the course and Liz was like a jackrabbit, in and out of traffic, passing people through the streets of Baltimore. We ran the race with my cousin, Dave. The first 6 miles were Dave and I trying to catch up with Liz. She was pushing the pace at around 8:00 minute miles, and the majority of the first 6 miles was uphill.

Miles 7-9, Liz started to cramp and felt like she was going to throw up. Our pace slowed to nearly 11 minute miles. Then, all of a sudden, she darted ahead, and was back at 8 minute miles til the finish line. We kept up with her until mile 10, then caught up with her at mile 11. But, then she was gone, and we didn’t catch her again. Dave and I finished two minutes behind my 11-year old daughter, and loved every minute of it.

I saw Dave this past weekend. He said he has logged 80 miles running this month. He is determined that we will be able to stay with Liz next year!

I don’t see my cousin often, but we shared this race, and it has brought us closer together.