The Magnuson's: NEVER QUIT BEACH FEST

What a motivational weekend! The Never Quit Beach Fest was a really great event and something we hope to participate it for as long as we are in North Florida. The Never Quit mission is based off of 5 principles: Faith, Family, Healthy Living, Defending Our Constitution and Country, and Taking on a Never Quit Approach to Life! Paul competed in the Trident Challenge Solo Triathlon. I ran the 5K with the kiddos. We arrived in Jax Beach in the afternoon after a fun morning playing at our beach. Landon and Elle took a great nap on the way to the event and we got a great parking spot! Over 6000 people signed up for this event! Talk about motivation!!! So many people were working so hard to finish their race. There was a band and a lot of tents set up for people to get their blood pressure checked with free stuff and goodies! "Never Quit" was founded by a family who lost their father to high blood pressure. He was a Captain in the Navy and a very fit guy. He ate well and was very in shape, but one day had a stroke and brain bleed caused by high blood pressure and died about a year later after long stays in the hospital. His last words to his family were "Never Quit". He was an incredible man and we were so blessed to have participated in such a great event that raised so much awareness about this silent killer. And most importantly, we saw thousands of people have the "Never Quit Attitude" that this entire event was meant for! The Navy Seals did an awesome demonstration and at the end of my race, I received a beautiful sea turtle neclace by Naval Officers. :) The sea turtle represents something that never quits and fights hard to survive. Paul raced extremely well and completed the entire triathlon in about 44 minutes! It was a run, swim and surf paddle. A really fun and unique race! Landon, Elle and I were so proud of Daddy! He was a champ! It was a great day and we are really excited to do it again next year!

On the ferry, headed to Jax Beach!

These were our racing bibs. It was great to race for our family! (And the Never Quit on the bib are the actual copied last words written by Capt. Gerard Petroni.)

Landon playing in the sand before the races began. Of course, Brucey the shark had to come with us! (All sharks are called Brucey because of Finding Nemo haha).

This was the 'Battle For The Beach'! Teams of 6 had to complete a 50 meter low sand beach crawl, 1/2 mile ocean swim, a combined 1000 push-ups, 1000 sit ups, and 500 pull ups, and one last 50 meter low sand beach crawl. It was crazy!!!

Paul getting ready for his race! Kind of cool that he was number 100!

The Navy Seals did an ocean rescue demonstration. It was awesome!

Paul heading to put up his surfboard for the race! He was at a bit of a disadvantage because almost everyone competing had a 9 foot or longer board. He said that all they had to do was a few paddles, relax and paddle again to get going, whereas Paul had to paddle extra hard!! But he still did an AWESOME job! Go Paul!

Helicopter flyover! Landon was loving all of this!!

Getting ready for our race! This was Landon and Elle's first 5K!

I had to start at the back because of having a stroller, so Paul came back to wish us luck and take one quick pic! He started at the very front of the race! :)

6000 people!!!

The Navy Seal Leap Frogs parachute demonstration! So cool!!

They all landed right at the start/finish line...very impressive!

Landon loved watching them float down from the airplane!

Go America!!

Off we go!

I got a great picture of Paul on his way back to start the swim! I was running while holding our big camera and pushing the double jogging stroller...people were looking at me like I was crazy! haha...Anything for a good photo!!

Once I finished the 5K, I was searching for Paul...he was out paddling his board in for the last sprint to the finish line! Sadly, I missed him crossing the finish line, but that's ok!

Elle did great during the race! She enjoyed looking up at the clouds while we ran! And she was wearing her Navy shirt to represent for Daddy!

Once the competitors finished the surf paddle, they put their boards down for the last sprint to the finish line.

Family pic after the race! They presented the women who ran the 5K with Hawaiian leis and a beautiful Sea Turtle neclace worth $250! I know...WOW! And Landon got a free smoothie for being cute haha!

Daddy and Landon playing after the race! Landon was ready to run his own race after sitting in the stroller!

He insisted on carrying around the American Flag. It made for cute photos! :)

Started in the very back and finished in the middle of the pack! I was proud of myself! It was funny to actually be the one passing people during the race especially with the double jogging stroller...I'm not known for passing people while running haha! There were only about 8-10 strollers in the entire race and I was the only one with the double too! It really motivated me having complete strangers cheer for me!

After a really exciting day, relaxing in the car on the ferry headed home. The sunset was beautiful and Landon said "Hello Sun" when he saw the sun, then when it went under the horizon he said "Bye Sun".