Outdoor track begins

We laced up the racing flats and headed to our first outdoor track meet of the spring Track season.

 It was supposed to pour rain all day....but the clouds parted......the sun shone....and everyone was all smiles as we enjoyed the warmth and comfort of the sunshine we had been missing.

 The Hardy boys were nervous.......

Riggs was nervous because...well...he just is....that is how he gets before a race.....

 and Rollins, who has not found his run yet....I think he felt some pressure....he was uncertain on how he would do....and he was scared to death that Ethan was going to beat him today because Ethan has really been running well in practice and has improved so much....I am not used to seeing Rollins scared....or nervous...he usually just rolls with things....and it just doesn't suit him....

 The 1600 was the first event...four times around the track.....Riggs was ready.....

and he won the event....not the time he wanted still a good race.

Rollins and Ethan ran together the first two laps....

 and then it happened......Ethan pulled ahead....on the third lap and Rollins just didn't have it in him to get back up there......

 and Rollins did what I have never seen him do....Ever.....
on the fourth lap his shoulders slumped....the tears fell....and he lost the fighting spunk that makes Rollins who he is.....

He cried for almost 45 minutes....at one point sobbing into my chest "I have been replaced"...he was broken....and it was heartbreaking.....he was done and did not want to run anymore and to be honest I wanted to go home too..it's just too much to feel that pressure. He is 8 years old and this is his identity? He is so much more than a runner.... oh so much more. I searched my heart and looked to see what the lesson was here.....and the lesson was to not give in....and to not give up....and that doing your best is all you can ask.....so we went back to the 800 knowing that he would get beat again....but knowing that winning was not what were were looking for today.....today we were looking to facing our fears.....getting back out there and doing our best....even though it hurt.... I think it may have hurt me even more than him....it's not natural to set your already broken boy up to get knocked down again...oh it was hard....

But I was so proud of Riggs today...for the way he ran...

and for giving up his spot on the relay team to Evan because he wanted to run it.....for the compliment parents gave him for the way he encourages the little ones.......

 But mostly because he was a good brother today.....
A really good brother and I was so thankful for that relationship today.Riggs was there for Rollins in many ways today. Rollins got back out there and ran the 800 and yes, he got beat again...but the point is..... he got back out there.....

and as the races ended....and the relays began...the pressure slipped away....and Rollins came back...the sweet, happy boy we know and love.....

Rolls was tired....he truly was emotionally drained.....but he ran the relay with the 3rd graders....

 It was a great way to end the day.....with them working together...as a team....

 I just want it to be fun for them.....but I also understand that they care.....and because they care not every race...not every meet will be full of joy...sometimes they will face disappointment. They are going to get beat....cry...and get mad...but they still love it.....and as long as they love it I will support them with everything I am.

 At the end of the day.....I knew it was ok...because  Rollins told me that when he lost to Ethan it hurt....but he wanted to be sure Ethan knew he was not mad at him but he was just disappointed in himself.....and that is the Rollins I know and love...putting others first.....even as he deals with his loss. Today was not just about loosing a race to him...it was more about loosing his place...it's just how he sees it. So we have some work to do to be sure he knows he is so much more than a runner and that with his heart he is a winner every day....and maybe....just maybe he will find his run along the way.