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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

track meets and men

Will ran in his first track meet this afternoon. This chilly, windy afternoon. After driving all over tarnation trying to figure out which school was sponsoring the meet we finally found our kid.

There he is. The shortest, blondest one in the photo.


Yes...poor kid. He is short. Much shorter than everyone else.

He didn't let that stop him though. He stretched. He prepared.

He ran.

The kid practically sprinted the full 800 meters and still came in last. After he caught his breath he said he had to run hard just to keep up with the joggers in the bunch. I was proud of him for running hard and not getting discouraged. Brian and I both had stories about how we came in last in sporting events. Once Brian came in 186th out of 185 people. Seriously. That's the place they assigned him. Once I was swimming the butterfly relay. The other relay teams had completely finished the race before I ever even dove in. I swam the length of the pool and back all by my lonesome. Last place. Will's in good company!



I do have to say I was shocked at how big some of the kids were. This is a group of 8th graders. 8TH GRADERS! Some of them looked like men. Seriously!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh my God! They are men! Too bad it's not like wrestling where there are size categories.

Mamadallama said...

I agree w/citizen. They should have inseams determine the categories. But I do remember this girl from school who always ran faster than anyone else and she was pretty short so maybe it doesn't make that much of a difference? I am not well-versed in the art of running fast. Or running period.

I can't find my blog said...

Good for Will for trying so hard!

I think we're going to have a similar day in a few weeks when our #1 runs in his first track meet. I just hope he handles it as well as Will did!

Lost In Splendor said...

Good for Will! I bet you were proud. I wouldn't care what place my child came in as long as they did their best and didn't give up.

KC's brother is really big too. Last year he was 14, in 8th grade and 6 foot tall. Good lord!

Sra said...

I'm glad Will gave it his all. That's the sign of a true winner: someone who wants to do his best despite how well he'll do over all.

Those 8th graders are huge! I've seen 25 year olds who don't look as old!

Anonymous said...

Go Will!
I can totally relate, being pretty much the same size as him and all...that's why I didn't join track. It also might help that I stink at running too.

Anonymous said...

tell will great job! AND are these 8th graders that have been held back for 10 years to up the odds? that one dude is huge... [can i legally call an 8th grader a dude?]

Anonymous said...

oh that came out wrong...sorry! I just stink at running. Let it sit at that.

Irrational Dad said...

The most important thing is to not give up, so kudos to Will for that. And being in good spirits about it is even better.

Mike S said...

My Uncle always told me that being short would toughen me up. He musta been right as the wife says I'm like I'm made of old shoe leather; all tough, wrinkly, and worn out. Being last does give you a chance to see where the one's racing way ahead went astray though.