Running

Last spring B informed me that he wanted to join the cross country team in the fall. I was a little shocked. Running has never been "his thing". He isn't fast, and when they have had to do it in P.E. it was never something that he talked excitedly about. I questioned him about it and when I realized he was serious, I recommended that we start training. So, last spring after school got out, he and I started to run. When we started, he could hardly run 1/4 mile without stopping. He got up to a half mile and then due to an injury I received (over training my no longer young body...specifically knees) our running came to an end by late June.

When, cross country started up a month ago, B still insisted that he wanted to do it so he joined the team. Practices are 4 days a week, right after school. Some days are long runs and some days are shorter training. He comes home sweaty and tired but seems to be enjoying it.

Yesterday was B's first meet. I was so proud of him and happy for him that I almost cried several times. In fact, every time I start talking about cross country and B's accomplishments I always just about cry.



Here's the boy's team warming up. B is on the far left.









Checking their laces.









On your mark!








About 1/3 of the way into the 1.5 mile race.




This picture isn't the greatest but this was one of the times I got tears in my eyes. In the past, when B ran, he never really looked like a runner but when he came past us at this point, his form was excellent, he looked like a runner, and he was moving right along.

Here he is sprinting for the finish. He really kicked it hard.
At this point, there was no one close in front or behind him but he ran his heart out for himself, trying to reach his goal.



Here he is just seconds from the finish.







And here he is shortly after finishing, a little hot and tired but doing great.







He finished the 1.5 miles in 14 1/2 minutes and came in 10th out of 11 boys on his team, and 32nd out of 40 something boys in the race. I couldn't have been more proud of him. Distance running is one of those things that isn't exactly fun and takes discipline and dedication. It is so wonderful to see him growing in this experience.

One of my favorite stories is from a week ago when he came home from Monday's practice and told me that he probably wouldn't do cross country in high school because in high school you have to run 3 miles and "I don't think I could run that far." Tuesday he came home from practice, walked through the door and announced "we ran three miles at practice today and I only had to walk for just about 1/8 of a mile in the middle of it." It is so great to see him building his character as he accomplishes things that he didn't think he could do.

And so, my sweet boy who could barely make it 1/4 of a mile 4 months ago can now run three miles. Way to go B!!