1/2 mile run

I got a text from Mrs. Spenlau telling me that SK wanted different shoes to run her first 1/2 mile run. She did not want to run in her sparkle, glitter tennis shoes...but wanted her pink and purple Reeboks. I am not sure if she will be a runner or not...I lean toward the not....but she gets it...and she  knows what she needs and how her brothers run. I had not anticipated that this would be important to her, but nonetheless it was. If Riggs or Rollins had called to say they were not wearing the right shoes for the mile run I would get to Goshen in a heart beat for them...I know I would. So I got out of the chair at the salon...and left with wet hair...to go get the pink and purple Reeboks.

 When I arrived she was excited.....we changed her shoes...pulled her hair back....

 She wasn't sure about it....how to pace herself....how much to try at first...but I just hugged her and told her this.....She had the shoes she wanted....but.....

and off she went....she was probably 4th in her class...but she ran the whole time and paced herself like a champ...she may not be the fastest runner but she was a very smart runner for sure......

and she cheered for everyone and encouraged everyone!

I was so proud of her!

The last mile run

The mile run used to be such a big deal at Goshen...parents came, people cheered on the kids, it was a celebrated accomplishment but now it's just not...but for us it still is as celebrated as it used to be. The first time Riggs ran the mile run in second grade...was the first time we saw a glimpse of something he might be good at. It had not been the basketball, soccer, or t ball that we had already tried. At the time we thought he just was not good at those sports but what we later discovered is that he lacked the confidence he needed to excel at any sport. But running gave him that confidence and forever changed him...not only as an athlete, but as a person and it is a big part of the amazing kid he is today. So I was happy to be the only parent there ...watching him...as he ran his very last mile run at Goshen. I would not have missed it for the world. The Goshen mile run is something I will be forever grateful for.....

Fall Mile Runs

Every year the mile run at school is a big deal for the Hardy boys.....

I love it that they care so much......

I also hate it that they care so much.....

They put so much pressure on themselves for this to do well in front of their peers and they are always disappointed in their time as they compare it to their XC times which are much faster for both....but mostly we love it and we are so proud that they try so hard to do their best!

 Rollins did a 6:49 this fall.....

Riggs had a Gallery Walk the morning of his mile run...so parents came and you could have treats and hot chocolates...he had water only....such self discipline for a 10 year old.

6:18 for Riggs.....

 and a chocolate mile shake from mom at the finish line.....eat up, Speedy Gonzalez!

Rollins' mile run

Today Rollins' did his first mile run at school. He was so excited! I went and took pics for the class video and cheer on the kids too!

 The boys were ready to go!

 Rollins Rocked it out with a time of 7:22 today! Go Rollins! Braden came in second with a time of 8:18....go Braden!

 I love that they do the mile run! Every child feels so accomplished after they do it!

Riggs' mile run

At school they do the mile run every year to see how each child does...they do it in the fall and again in the spring. The first time Riggs did this was in first grade and this was the first time we saw a little natural ability in him with running. Since then it has become a big deal to Riggs. He wants to do so well...and justify to his peers that he can run....that he is fast. For real. He was excited and nervous!

 They were off....

 after the first lap.....

 second lap.....

 fourth lap....

 and finishing after 4.5 laps......

 His time a 6:39 on this course...his face says it all....disappointed. But on this PE rotation he is the record holder...although their are more rotation to go before the entire school has gone .....for now his name is on the record board in the gym! Smile baby...you are amazing!

Riggs Rocked the mile run today

He was amazing!!! He beat his time from the fall and everyone in his class....he was the fastest boy in the 2nd grade! It was awesome to see him shine...and be the best and the confidence he had before, during, and after the race. It is so good for him to have this marker for himself...so we can say to him..remember when you gave it your whole heart and how well you did!