Our little Illini fan

Tired, but ready to run!

With parents like us, it's only natural for Aviva to be an Illini fan from birth. My current facebook profile picture is a lovely one of Aviva fast asleep in her stroller covered with an Illini blanket. It's a bit too warm right now for that blanket, but there are plenty of other ways to show off her spirit. 

A couple of weeks ago, we had a full-on Illini weekend. The fun began on Saturday, July 26th when we got up super early to head over to the B1G Ten 10K race. This is the third year that the race has taken place, and for some reason we've been out of town every other year. I decided while still pregnant that a 10K would be a great goal and so I signed up. 

Pretty much up until the day of the race I was kicking myself for not signing up for the 5K instead. Before being preggo a 10K wasn't really a big deal. It's not my favorite length (I prefer the 8K myself), but it was certainly easy to do. I did my best to get in some practice runs, but this isn't easy with an infant. Add to that the fact that I hadn't gone running in a loooooong time, and you've got a stressed out mamma. And, let's not forget I really needed new running shoes, but it seemed like a silly waste of money when we need diapers, toys, and that cute stuffed toy over there for our new baby. 

Anyway, we got up at about 5:30 in the morning, which is early even for Aviva (she tends to rouse around 6:30). We dressed her up in an Illini t-shirt that's way too big and headed down to Soldier Field. 

I ran the race while Aviva and Jeff walked around and visited all the fun B1G Ten party tents. This included a picture opportunity of Aviva with the football championship trophy! I'm guessing an item that she won't really see again soon as an Illini fan (zinnng!)

The race itself was fine. I finished! I will admit there was a bit of walking here and there, but I did finish in just over an hour. My 5K split showed that I was going faster than a 10-minute mile! Although that changed in the second half... My goal was to finish and I did it. That's all that matters. 

Bardo!

After I finished the race and finally tracked down my husband and family, which wasn't easy since I don't run with a phone, we hung out for a little while and ran into a few friends. 

As we were cutting through the crowd to head home, I spotted Illini basketball great Stephen Bardo. Luckily, when you have an adorable baby you can walk up to anyone and ask for a picture. Which is what I did. As you can see from the picture Aviva missed the entire thing, as she fell asleep for most of the morning.

Then on Sunday, our favorite bar hosted an Illini fun day with football coach Tim Beckman in attendance. We found a different Illini outfit that's too big (we need her to grow into her Illini gear) and walked over for a quick beverage and to see if the venue could fit a stroller. 

The scene wasn't too crowded, and it turns out we weren't the only fools with a baby. Coach Beckman's wife fawned over Aviva (naturally) and again it was very easy to walk up to coach and ask for a picture with my baby! This time Jeff and I got in on the action as well. 

Up next, we'll be taking Aviva to her first football game in a little over a month. Stay tuned! 

The whole family got in on a photo op with Coach Tim Beckman at Schoolyard!