Colorful and Conversational

Well, we have on our yellow and green with black and gray shorts and while that might be colorful - Evan was even more colorful on our Sunday evening, August 28 run through the neighborhood.

Evan enjoys watching HGTV - specifically the house/room makeovers and pretty much anything that has to do with redesigning - the budding architect continues to learn!

"Mom, have you ever seen that show Color Splash?"

"Yes, it's pretty good and the host is cute."

"Oh, well maybe but I think our living room needs some color."

"Really, what do you have in mind?"

"I don't know. We should move those marble tables because I don't like them. I'm not sure that new brown couch fits either. Oh, maybe we can paint it lavender."

"Whoa, first - where would you put those tables because they are from Daddy's grandmother so we have to keep them? And that second couch is practical because it allows all four of us to sit in the living room. I do like the lavender idea but I don't think Daddy will."

"I don't know. I just think it needs to be painted or something."

"Well, you think about it and come up with a plan and we will see."

"Ok, but I want to change my room too. I don't like the bed and the paint is too dark. Don't you think, Mommy?"

"Hmmm - again, a plan is helpful and we will see but you will probably have to wait until you are older for a room makeover."

After all that, I had to start walking since I haven't figured out the run/breathe thing yet, let alone an engaged conversation about interior designing! Since I was walking (fast) and Evan started doing his silly walk/slow jog thing, I decided to tell him about the sport of cross country.

Evan: What is cross country? I mean, do you really run across a country?

Me: No, not technically. Instead of running around a marked track, you are running through the natural terrain/land. Typically there is a "running path" but with hills, grass, concrete, rocks, etc. It is kind of like the Mission 5K downtown with the different terrains - gravel, concrete, asphalt, etc. but not as well-marked.

Evan: Oh, but could you run across a country?

Me: Well, yes, but that would mean lots and lots of training. For now, I'm going to try to find someone to run with you. Someone who can keep up with you so you can keep doing this. You do want to keep doing this, right?

Evan: Oh yeah, can I run a 10K?

Me: Yes, that's why I need to find someone to train with you on a regular basis. I think you could do a 10K now but I want you to train some more. I think I have someone - a ninth-grader on the cross country team at North Davidson - the high school you will be going to someday. His mom told me that he ran his last 5K around 23 minutes which isn't that much faster than your 30 minutes. If you keep this up, Evan, by the time you get to high school - you will be really good.

Evan: Ok, yeah, I want to keep running but I want to do a 10K.

Me: You will, Evan, I promise. It is just a lot of training and learning so you don't hurt yourself.

Evan: OK.

During all this, we did record our stats at:
Time: 28:41
Distance: 1.126
Calories: 66.7
Steps: 2767
Pace: 1.4

UPDATE:
Since this very colorful and conversational run, Evan did come up with the beginnings of a plan:

He labeled it "Living Room" and discussed colors with us and even drew the two couches with the marble table in the middle (the part with an X over it). We shall see ...

And, the ninth-grader has agreed to run with him some and offer "trainer" tips. Meanwhile, I am researching running outlets for Evan and I am going to create a Facebook page for northern Davidson County kids who want to run. Details to come soon!

Happy Running!