Red Ribbon, Red Ribbon!

     When cheerleading became more than "Beat Magnolia's Team, Yamma-Yamma," when athleticism in the form on a cartwheel was required for try-outs, I retired my black and gold beanie and pom-poms. While I can talk a good game, I have reached the ultimate conclusion: I am not athletic. Not at all.  Not in the slightest.
      I can not ski, Not snow -not water. I can not run a marathon; I can barely roller skate.
      I can, however, walk. Not and chew gum at the same time, though.
      My first, ever-in-my-whole-life achievement ribbon came at the conclusion of the Helping Hands 5K in Rector over the Labor Day weekend. I won a red ribbon, second place in my age group, plus a personal best in time.
      I was so excited - still am.
      The corker, though, is that I slowed down my pace because my walking partner (hubby) was struggling and we had vowed to finish together.
      My goal for the 5K: I was not going to finish last, not going to let a woman with a baby carriage finish ahead of me. And not be beaten by a dog running along the side of the road.
      I had lengthened my stride and was moving right along. My super competitiveness had me actually contemplating walking off ahead of hubby, but I thought better of it. I mean how would it look for me to leave a husband in the dust while he was pushing through pain?
     We finished together, arms raised, hands clasped. A photo-op for sure!
       
When we picked up our ribbons the next week, (we did not think either of us received a ribbon at all), I got my beautiful red ribbon - suitable for a shadow box frame and portrait lighting. Thing is - he got a blue ribbon.
       Something about that is just not right!