September 2nd, 2013              

    I woke up at 5:30am this Labor Day to attempt my first even run across the Mackinac Bridge. I entered my name in a lottery several months back, and was lucky enough to be one of 500 people who were given the chance to run across the bridge. Although I had never competed in a run longer than a 5k (3.1 miles) I figured that I could do if it I set my mind to it. Turns out I was right! I had a few 5 mile training runs in before we left for St. Ignace, and one last run while we were camping on Saturday. I was unable to complete any of those runs without stopping to walk, however, so I was getting pretty nervous about this run. Turns out I had nothing to be concerned about, as I complete the 4.4 mile run (according to my running app on my phone - we were told that the run was approximately 4.5 miles) in 42:39, all without a single walking break! I know that I won't be setting any world records with my time, but I am proud of the accomplishment nonetheless!

Bridge Run
	Here is the logo from the 2013 Bridge Run.
	Here is Rodney after crossing the finish line.

    Tara met me at the finish line as I completed my run (she estimated that I was one of the first 50 across the finish line... I'm not sure, but I do think that I passed more people during the run than people passed me). We waited around for our group picture before heading back across the bridge to pick up my Dad and the kids so that we could all cross the bridge, this time walking. We managed to cross this time in 1:27:39. Not too bad, especially considering that they closed the walk down to one lane on us, before we even made it to the grated section! Of course, when we were done with our "walk" we continued walking right to the bakery, where Mom and Steven were waiting for us so that we could have our "reward donut"!

Bridge Walk
	Crossing I-75 looking south as we head towards the start of our walk.
	Looking south down the Mackinac Bridge as the crowds begin their walk.
	Samantha, Tara, Jayden, Tyler, Drew, and Gary walking across the Mackinac Bridge.
	The weather wasn't too impressive today - high of 60 degrees, low of 53, and extremely windy.
	Tara, Sam, Tyler, and Gary walking.
	Sam was doing her best to keep her ears warm.
	Drew attempted to keep his ears covered too.
	Tyler did his best Kenny impression from South Park.
	Approaching the first tower!
	Another shot of one of the towers.
	Looking up at one of the towers.
	Samantha's favorite car crossing the bridge - a slug bug! The only thing missing was a mustache on the front!

    On our way home we swung in to Sea Shell City to take some pictures of the kids playing on the pirate ship out front.

Sea Shell City
	Drew, Samantha, Tyler, and Jayden on the pirate ship.
	Jay, Drew, and Tyler on the top of the ship.
	Tyler going down the slide while Jayden waits her turn.
	Tara posing for a picture as Sam ruins it from behind.
	Tara finally managed to get a kid-free photo.
	Sam acting crazy in another porthole after leaving Tara alone.
Please click here for page two of the photos