Run Alfie, Run

For those wanting to know how the Sunday roast unfolded, well, it did happen, but in a condensed version.  You see Archie worked the night before and arrived home at 1.30am after being the waiter at a 50th birthday party where one woman dropped the rubbish she was holding on the floor, then looked at Archie and said, ‘Oh, I dropped that’, stepped over it and moved on.  After arriving home he slept in, mucked around in the afternoon, then announced he had an assignment due in tomorrow so retreated to his room and said he couldn’t spare many minutes for dinner.

And Arabella was equally as bad as her excuse for cutting family time short was that she was extremely fatigued and ‘remember mum, I have two assessments due this week’.

So they arrived at the table late and they ate fast but we had, in a short and sharp manner, family time.


Pat Farmer starting the 5km race

Our day had been long and it had started early.  It was Alfie’s school’s major annual fundraising event where 3000 people raced in either the 10km, the 5km or the 2km running races.  Pat Farmer, the famous Pole-to-Pole marathon runner was the patron of the event and he raced in all three events.  The Leader of the Opposition, Tony Abbott raced in the 10km event and the Prime Minster wasn’t invited, probably only because she’s busy.

Tony Abbott and Pat Farmer just after they finished the 10km race

Carl was working as a volunteer so he had to be there at 6.30am and Alfie and I followed closely because I had to drop off my cakes to the cake stalls and Alfie had booked himself into the 5km event.  (And, in case cake boxes ever get sent home from your school, the Sour Cream Double Layer Chocolate Cakes I made were all sold before 9am – use this recipe if you don’t want your cake to be the last one sold!)

Sprinting to the finish

I’d spoken to Alfie about the races and advised he run in the 2km event but he was determined to do the 5km and so, after a lot of failed convincing, he ran in the 5km race.  I was there to cheer him on at the start, then I criss-crossed across the course to cheer him on at different vantage points, then I was there to cheer him towards the end.  He ran all the way, all the time with a smile on his face, and he sprinted the final 100mtrs to the finish line.

The elation of finishing something you started

I was so proud of him.  And he finished the race just after Pat Farmer, in a time of just under 30 minutes.  And in bad shoes!  I really must buy him some decent footwear.

After the race we had the sausage sizzle, the cokes, the popcorn, the rides, the face painting and the hair dye.  And we had it all in sunshine.  Amazing.  It was a great day out where many thousands were raised for major charities and schools that are less fortunate.

Made it!

Besides the fundraising where it is so wonderful to see people so generously donating their time, effort and skills into a community event, it was just great to see so many kids outside, excited and exercising – nothing wrong with that combo!

Here are a few images of a great day out in Sydney.

So happy!

 

With his hero, Pat Farmer

And Pat Farmer was so generous; graciously and humbly giving his time to all who approached him.  And he did a book signing and I missed it!  How did that happen?

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And yes, I’m having trouble with my commenting system.  It’s supposed to let you click on a box so your URL is posted.  I don’t know why that’s not happening but I will try to have it sorted this week xx

 

 

Comments

  1. That photo of him crossing the line brought tears to my eyes. What an amazing feat for a kid. The pleasure of making all those beautiful cakes and having them sold before 9am wouldn’t come close to seeing that face cross the finish line.

    What a thrilling day for a kid!

  2. This is me testing comments, and commenting on a job well done, Alfie!! Nice work!

  3. Arabella says:

    He looks so cute! I wish I was there

  4. Hi,
    Looks like a fun day out, and all for a very good cause, you also got some great photos as well. 🙂

  5. ChopinandMysaucepan says:

    Dear Charlie,

    Alfie looks like he had an awesome day. I’m sure it was a very satisfying effort to cross that finish line too!

  6. Glamorous Glutton says:

    What a fabulous day despite assignments and food scoffing! GG

  7. A_Boleyn says:

    Congratulations to Alfie on finishing the 5km, even in bad shoes. 🙂 And on the successful cake sale. You’re such a good mum attending and participating in all these events. You make them sound so fun though I’m sure they’re a lot of work and time management is important.

  8. What a runner!!! I hate running, once I went to a 5 km run and had to walk most of the time…

    http://www.bakinginspain.blogspot.com

  9. Alfie is adorable! The photo of him crossing the finish line with his arms outstretched is priceless. Better hang on to him and not allow him to grow up anymore…pretty soon he will also be having to be talked into sitting down for family time at the dinner table!

  10. Victoria at Flavors of the Sun says:

    The photos of Alfie crossing the finish line are priceless beyond words. Absolutely adorable. Kudos to him for accomplishing this goal and to you for your winner of a cake recipe. I just love the look on Alfie’s face.

  11. Those photos of Alfie crossing the finish line are absolutely priceless! What a star! 🙂 And of course your cakes sold, Charlie, I’ll bet they were the first ones off the table!

  12. Awwww Alfie looks so gorgeous passing the finish line – an athlete in the making! 😀
    Great photos my friend!

    Cheers
    CCU
    http://gobakeyourself.wordpress.com/

  13. Congrats to Alfie! What a great time for a 5km. 🙂 The look on his face says it all.

  14. Barbara at winos and foodies says:

    Well done Alfie. That family time is so important. My boys are no longer at home but we schedule family time every couple of weeks.

  15. InTolerantChef says:

    What a gorgeous face Charlie! Well deserved elation after 5km and I can’t believe he sprinted the last bit!
    If I ran 5kms I wouldn’t want a photo, I would want a medal- and a puffer, and a stretcher, and a choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus 🙂

  16. Charlie that is the best photo ever! It is a wonderful feeling finishing something like that and his face is classic! Yes you’re right it’s great to see everyone out in the fresh air.

    I had to fill in a profile after my first comment and that let me add my blog address so it should come up automatically now.

  17. Sweet Posy Dreams says:

    What a wonderful day; Alfie looks so happy.

  18. ChgoJohn says:

    Way to go, Alfie! Not only did he finish the race but he had enough gas in the tank to sprint to the finish. I bet you were proud!

  19. Well done Alfie!

  20. Tina @ bitemeshowme says:

    Well done to Alfie for doing the 5km. That is impressive. I think he runs faster than me!

  21. YAY WOO HOO 🙂 So happy for Alfie he did a great job! 5kms in bad shoes wow 🙂 and i’ve never heard of Pat Farmer but he sure sounds like a nice man!

  22. Those photos of Alfie finishing are brilliant! I am giggling at his enthusiasm and wondering where mine went as it’s rare I have that sense of sheer joy manifesting itself visually these days. Good on him for running so well!

  23. kelsa2010 says:

    What a lovely , inspiring photo of your son. Isn’t it great to see all the wonderful volunteers . Quite opposite to the person who dropped the rubbish,didn’t pick it up and expected your son to pick it up.
    Have a great week.

    Kelly

  24. I love the photos!! Alfie looks like such a happy kid!
    Even when I’m busy and tired, seeing my daughter happy makes ME feel so happy!! Kids are just a power house, full of energy and happiness!

    • hotlyspiced says:

      Thanks Jojo. I have a new commenting system and it hasn’t given me your URL. Are you able to give me a link to your website so I can visit your blog? xx

  25. What a great kid – how is that expression when crossing the finish line. What a great photo! Good to know that your chocolate cake was a hit, will definitely give it a go or two. And isn’t it lovely when celebrities have time for the “Little” people.

  26. Mandy - The Complete Cook Book says:

    Awesome – well done Alfie!
    🙂 Mandy

  27. Congratulations to Alfie!

  28. Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says:

    Good on Alfie! What a little cutie 😀

  29. tania@mykitchenstories.com.au says:

    Congratulations to your energetic little man. And to his Mum for being so great too!

  30. Congratulations Alfie, that is quite the accomplishment! I just love that first photo of Alfie at the finish line, it really is priceless.
    Too bad about the family dinner. We had no choice but to sit and eat until we were all finished. Those were the good old days. 😉
    Eva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com

  31. Wonderful photos. Congrats to Alfie and he is one cute kid, Charlie! 🙂

  32. Oh the look of elation on Alfie’s face is priceless! Don’t tell him, he probably wouldn’t like it, but he is just adorable! 🙂 Family time with teens is hit and miss and a bit of hard transition on families…I’m so glad you have this little guy to still bring in the sunshine! Sounds like it was a really stellar event! And even the weather cooperated! Woo-hoo! Debra (breathelighter).

  33. Reem | Simply Reem says:

    Hooray to your energetic young boy!! Congrats…
    And too you too for being a supportive mom… We mom rock right.. 😉

  34. Gah, running – just looking at those photos makes me tired! I’m sorry to say that I’m not a big sportsman, but good on the little guy for doing so well!

  35. Love these pictures and Alfie looks so cute with the running dude 🙂

  36. Minnie@thelady8home says:

    Charlie, your stories are just not fabulous, they simply touch a chord. I can totally relate to the finish line smile….my 6 year old had that when he had finished one jogathon and turned out he had done almost 34 rounds, about 7 more than most. The pride in his face was something I have captured in my heart for eternity.

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