RIGHT ON TRACK

Meg and Smash both decided to go out for track this season. They are up before the sun and out running every day.

This year Smash tried the hurdles and pole vault as well as some other races.

The coaches had Megan running some long distance races which are not her forte but she does what she is asked to do.  She also tried the long jump and some relay races.

I know you probably are wondering how in the world these kids who are a little on the short side could do pole vault, hurdles and long jump, believe me, I wondered how they would do as well.  They both have quite a bit of bounce and spring, it has been so much fun to watch!

Here are some photos from a few of their meets: 

(I know there are a lot of photos but since Jonathan couldn't be there in person, I wanted him to get to see as much as possible. If you can make it to the end, there is a great little story...)

Smash says he loves the pole vault because he "loves the feeling of flying!"

Megaroo and Smash both love the social aspect of track.  Every time I see them with any sort of down time, they are socializing; with any and all kids on the field, no matter which school they represent.

 

Meg below, running a very lonely relay:

At the last track meet, Meg was asked to anchor the 4 x 100 meter relay and the 4 x 400 meter relay.  Her little team did not do too well.  In the 4 x 400, her teammates were so far behind the other teams that when Meg was waiting for the baton, she could see her teammate bringing it to her and the other teams about to lap her and finish the race before Meg even had a chance to run.  They did not lap her teammate but they did finish within seconds of Megan beginning her 400 meter lap.  Even though she knew this race could not be won (they had secured dead last) and even though she knew she would be the only runner on the last race of the night, she took off like a shot and gave it her all.  As she rounded the track and began her sprint to the end, the very kind parents in the stands cheered her on.  It was a sweet moment and a bit of a tear jerker for me to see such kindness shown to my daughter from friends and strangers alike.  Several parents stopped me in the stands and commented on how impressed they were that she ran the race anyway, even when she knew what place her team would secure before she began her portion of the race.

I could see she felt a little embarrassed before she began the race, I too was glad she gave it her all.

The week before in the 800 meter (too far, she is a short distance runner), as she was coming in last, the folks in the stands cheered her on just when she needed it the most.  She was discouraged, it was written all over her face as she approached the finish.  This was so hard for me to watch.  However, approximately 100 meters from the finish, I could hear a lot of cheering, her speed had picked up considerably and she was sprinting to the end - with her brother running beside her on the sidelines, cheering her on.  When I saw what he was doing for her my heart began to burst!

They do have their squabbles but when it matters, they are there for each other. 

Moments like those help me to feel that we just might be on the right track.  :)

Comments

[Grandma Joan]

Great Pictures. They mean a lot to see the children in their sports and activities. So much to be learned here.

[Karen]

Wow. Smash really IS flying. That's incredible!

And I loved that story about Smash and Megs. It even made me tear up a little. (Although, that might be because of the pregnancy hormones. I'm not really a crier. Or at least, I didn't used to be.)

And that photo of Megan running alone really is pretty cool. Especially because of all it shows about her character. Megs herself is really very cool.

[Jonathan]

This is awesome! Wish I could have been there, but this is nearly as good.

Great year Megan and Smash!!!

[Jonathan]

PS. They get the social thing from their Dad!