Love the Run

Cross country is now in full swing for Forest.  In case I have not mentioned it, I love cross country.  Why? I am a runner myself. My son found something he loves. Bonus we can do it together (we will just disregard the fact that he consistently beats me). The other kids on his team and coaches are awesome.  It is a great environment.  Let me step up on my podium to grace you with a couple cross country stories and moments from the season so far.

At Forest's second cross country meet, there was boy (from another team) who finished dead last with a sprained ankle. Took him like 50 minutes to finish. He never gave up. Everyone from all the teams cheered his determination on as he crossed the finish line. Some snapshots from the meet...

Before they even start...running around and stuff  :)

Sprinting to the finish line

Now the last meet, I had the chance to see my son's determination. He has been having some knee problems on and off.  Wished him luck and watched the boys take off like a herd of cattle.  No one should be standing in front of this:

Hopped around to different areas where the boys were running to yell and scream words of encouragement.  And of course, snap pictures.

Not at any point during this or when he decided to sprint to the finish was there the moment when he appeared to be in pain.  He crossed the finish line in 23 minutes 52 second on a 5k. Slower then his normal. Off I go to look for him to see how he is doing.  Find him sitting on the ground in extreme, verge of tears pain. 

Help him to his team's area.  Some of the wonderful girls get him some ice.  He said it hurt the whole way. He never gave up and pushed it at the end. Amazing spirit, Forest. 

The coach checks on him. We have a good conversation.  Everyone here wants what is best for the kids.  Coach says they will put him on a bike until we can get him to the doc. Perfect.  Then the coach makes a comment about Forest wanting to be faster. A portion of me feels like that comment was made because that is what most parents' want to hear that the kids want to be faster, do better.  Would I like that, sure it would be awesome to watch him improve himself.  At the end of the day though, I just want him to love the run. No matter if it takes him 50 minutes or 15 minutes.  I just want him to love his run.  Carry the love of the run with him for the rest of his life. 

Selfish as it maybe. Running is what we share. My son and me.  No one else has this with him.  It was ours before cross country He tagged along on a run, fell in love with it, and we continue to do it together. A glimpse of some great moments in our running history:

 Our first run ever and my Forest even placed

 

 

The one time in history that I was able to beat him.  Just disregard, he was not feeling well that day.

 Our very first 10K

 

 His very first time winning first place in his age group.  Oh I was so proud.

 

 

The very first race where we did not take off together.  I was doing the half marathon and he was doing the 10k

After my first half marathon.

 

Thumbs down our very first rained out race.

 

First time mud running and it was like 35 degrees. For a very large portion we could not feel our feet.

 

 Love the run. At the end of the day that is what it is about.

xoxo....Dawn Marie