Special Mom’s blog

This week, a blogger asked about how we socialize. 

I did answer the question, saying we do it at our local temple. 

Anyway, I then realized there was something we have been doing for the past seven years that has helped us socialize with our boy. We have been going for a walk every day. During the summer, we do it outside, and in the winter, we do it inside our community recreation center. I think we are so popular among the regular walkers. My boy sees to it that our group gets noticed with all his enthusiasm. Oh, we do not meet and share food and drinks, but we say hi and bye and smile at each other. With our situation, this is so wonderful. I always feel happy when someone smiles at me during our walks. 

These walks has led us to do many 5K walks with our boy. We have done so many in the past year that we were no way going to miss the major Pittsburgh 5K, which is part of the Pittsburgh Marathon. When we went to pick up our packets for the race, the atmosphere was nothing short of a festival! Like-minded people assembling to do something they love.

Today morning, my husband and my special one raced their 5K alone. They did it in an hour—not the best, but worth every minute. I waited on the sidelines to take pictures. The irony is that it was so crowded that I could not get many at the finisher’s line. 

I did not walk a 5k, but my watch shows I walked 6 miles today. Imagine how much my boys would have done. 

There are so many categories to race, if you intend on doing one. Toddler trot, children’s mile walk, and 5k are the usual ones. But they had a special category called the Champion Mile for people with special needs. There weren’t many people participating in that event. But it was a good thought. My husband told me he was being encouraged, and pictures were taken by a few on his way. Maybe they thought my husband and son were in the special needs category? Anyway, he felt special, and I am so happy for him.

I really enjoyed the past two days since I stayed away from the race. I could enjoy the atmosphere, and I was in it! By the way, for huge events like this, I understood, one person needs to be in charge of the logistics. Things like setting up the alarm, packing food and water and making sure you are on time. I decided, I had to do that role. Of all days, my special one had to be woken up. It really takes an effort to get everything ready and out of the door.

We plan on doing our own 10k walks on trails this summer, and that is how we are going to spend it. We just need to carry water and bananas for our finish-line reward.

Sharing all the pictures I took at the 5K race today. If you think you need to socialize or be with people, just find a 5K race this summer and be a part of it. A very healthy choice for you and your family.