our story: Kentucky Derby Mini 2013

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Kentucky Derby Mini 2013

It was very hard for me to leave after getting this from Ella the night before I left:

Translated: "Me and my mom both love each other soooooo much. I cannot let go of her face."

Hour-long flight delay which ended up being a blessing. Missed flight in Minnesota resulted in an earlier straight-through flight to Kentucky!

Sight Seeing Around Town

(pic by Heidi)

Thank you, Darlin'.

The Expo at Packet Pick-Up

(I think the photographer's exact words were "best pic of the day." =)

Who's crossing the finish line first? It was a fight to the finish!

Apocalypse Brewery

They even had a treat truck for the dogs

(pics by Heidi)

The evening went on to include scotch eggs (sooo good!), fish and chips, martinis, and fried oreos (nom nom nom).

The next day, we took it easy being that it was the day before the race. I got to spend some time with Maddie in which I taught her how to arm knit. She was chained to her shackles of knit for a good hour. She did end of making a lovely big ol' knitty (edited for young audiences). ;)

Giant Gummy Bear

"We are being infiltrated by horses! Tons and tons of horses!" -Maddie

Friday Night Knitting

Old Lady Knitting Faces

In an attempt to regain some sense of normalcy, I sent this pic to Chad that evening telling him to lay this picture on the couch beside him. It'd be like I am still there sleeping on the couch. He later informed me that Ella fell asleep in my spot for me. :)

Race Day!

Ready to Run!

The race capped at 20,000 runners.

It took almost 10 minutes to get from where we were standing to the start line after the starting shot was fired.

During the Run

I think I was the only one taking pictures at this point. So many neat things to see!

Mile 8 - Churchill Downs

Still Running...

Mile 11

We did it! 13.1 miles!

We stuck together for the entire mini, and I can honestly say, this was THE MOST fun I have ever had running. I was able to get pictures of some amazing things, and I was there to push Heidi along to reach her personal best. Such an awesome experience! Yay, seestor!