Twas the night before State.......

Finally it was here....State!

Everyone was excited and full of love and support for Riggs & Rollins! Good luck gifts and goodies were dropped by and it meant so much to them that people cared so much about something that meant the world to them!

I invited the top 7 boys and girls over along with the 2 alternates for pasta and a pep talk before the big meet!

Coach Jeff came early to discuss their goals and race strategies and to talk about their competition!

We got them all carbed up....

and then fired up to run the race at the Meet of Champions!

We visualized the win from start to finish.....

I played a video I had made for them...a video that reminded them of their hard work and the heart they put into this season....

and with one last "Go Gators" we said our good byes!

Good Luck, Gators! You are so ready for this....I juts know it!!!

Last practice as a Gator.....

Tonight Riggs had his very last XC practice as a Goshen Gator. I watched with tears in my eyes the whole time...taking it in...every last moment....

It is his happy place....he is a leader here....the kids all know and love him...he knows Creasy like the back of his hand...it is easy...and joyful...and not one time in the last 3 years has he not wanted to go to practice....

He loves his running friends.....

very much....

I watched as he led the cool down stretches as a captain of this team....

and as he listened to every word about the upcoming state meet......

with great joy and anticipation.....

and then finally it was over....and the 5th graders ran through a tunnel of love....

our way of saying good bye.....

and then we celebrated with a bonfire and smores....

and the kids played and had a ball...each one saying good bye to Goshen XC in their own way.

and all the while I was filled with bittersweet memories of my Riggs as I remembered the first time I drug him to practice here...now that was one time he didn't want to come....but he did...and he loved it....

and his first time trial...when Jeremy ran with him....

 and remembering how he worked so hard...and how one day....  Jeremy could not keep up....

 The very first time he put on the Goshen uniform he felt special...

and every time since.....

 He has worn it with pride...and has put his heart into every practice...every race.....every season.... and I am so proud of him. He has done so much for Goshen XC....but Goshen XC has been magical for him. It's been a good ride for Riggs....let's hope we can end it on a great note and win state one more time!

The XC assembly

Goshen had been planning a XC assembly to recognize the runners and celebrate the boys winning State. It has been moved and canceled due to snow days but today it finally happened! Being recognized with his team in front of the school really meant a lot to him.  He was so excited even though he really didn't feel good. They called the runners down...and specifically pointed out the top seven runners on the team. Riggs ran down when they called his name and slapped waiting hands as he ran by...part of a team he loves...with friends he cares for.

 He was recognized as being on the All State team for XC...and as the fastest 3rd grader in the state of Kentucky. I was so proud of him...mostly because he was happy with himself.

 Mrs. Howard watched this unfold in the assembly...as Riggs ran to join his team with his newly found confidence...as he was recognized for not only trying hard, but also.... for the first time ....for being  great.  She later sent me a text that said this: I can't lie...got a little teary eyed during the assembly....so proud of Riggs!!! That meant so much to me...she has no idea how much she had to do with him believing in himself. I will forever be thankful for her love and guidance with this tender hearted boy.

 He is a changed boy...still shy...still unsure...but so much more confident than he ever has been. He is still finding his way but yes...that kid in the Hardy sweatshirt is Riggs...and yes, he is doing the Macarena! You've come a long way, baby!

After the assambly I could see he was fading...fever back... we signed him out and headed home..his little body was tired but his heart was full of joy!

The big Day! AAU National Cross Country Meet 2010

 We walked into Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports, tickets in hand and hope in our hearts!

 Jeremy said out loud....I have a good feeling about this! And I did too! We watched the other races and cheered for our other team mates....Riggs' race was at 1:30...the last race of the day!

As race time approached we put his number on and put his spikes on with his timing chip attached.

About thirty minutes before the race they were put in a holding tent...we walked him over to the tent... told him good luck and I told him I loved him no matter what...and off he went!

About 15 minutes before the race they told them their box numbers and they lined up...no adult..no parents..no coach to tell them what to do. Riggs got in his box and started warming up and doing his run outs. I peeked under the fence..and Jeremy peered over it...watching every second of his solo preparations.

 The gun went off and I prayed for him to be swift...and smart...it would be all over in 8 minutes. All the anxiety, expectations, and wonder would be over in 8 minutes...and I knew that because his best 2k time so far is 8:01 and I was so hopeful for a good race.

He went past me the first time and I cheered so loud ....I looked over to see him run as far as my eyes could see him and that is when I saw Jeremy yelling with all he had for our son and I knew what he felt...so anxious.... and almost empty as you think to yourself.... I would give all of me right now in this moment... to make this ending happy. I snapped this picture and made my way to the finish line to watch the end...would this ending be a happy one? From the time I lost sight of him to the next time I would see him anything could happen... a cramp...a fall...a burst of energy.....

 When I did see him round that corner at the finish line...he was moving! I wish I could have been 2 people and taken picture after picture of him...but I took this one and  picked of my video camera for the rest. He was giving it all he had...every ounce of his preciousness...and I was beyond proud of this effort...this Champion heart...this little boy who is mine....this little boy who made me a mother. I screamed ...Go Riggs...you got it, baby! 

It wasn't until I looked over and saw his time and heard Jeremy screaming.... that's how we do it.....that I understood how great his effort was. He had improved his 2k time by 27 seconds...that is amazing! He is amazing.

We came to Orlando hopeful for a good race...and getting in the top 25 and getting a medal would have been great...we had no idea he would get in the top 8 and get to podium...what a dream come true! As they announced his name Jeremy and I screamed with delighted pride! And for the icing on the cake..his age group came in third...so he got another medal for his team! And then they announced that our Derby City team as a whole had placed second in the nation!

Jeremy was happy!

I was happy!

He was happy!

And for a moment he was on top of the world! I hope there will be many more moments like this in his life...where he feels this good about who he is and what he can do.

We celebrated with dinner at the ESPN Grill where we ate under this sign...so true...and at Christmas every ones heart is a little bit bigger!