Tates Creek Track Meet

After a FULL day...Goshen door decorating...a reception I hosted at Goshen, a Kindergarten zoo trip..I picked Riggs up from school and he and I headed to Lexington for a track meet at Tates Creek High School. He has very few friends on the track team and today not one of them were there. He hung with me...we sat in the bleachers...as the sun set...under a blanket. He was tired from the week...I was too. We both just wanted to go home...but we left that unsaid.  Jeremy was on first call but surprised us and showed up. Riggs usually takes a potassium pill before he runs and when I left the house that morning I did not grab them. It hit him that he didn't take it and he freaked out a bit...he was afraid he would cramp up on his run. I felt terrible. I try so hard to juggle the 6 of us...but sometimes I drop the ball...even with my very best efforts. I suggested a melt away tylenol that we told him was a potassium pill...mind over matter....and it worked like a charm. 

Riggs, when you read this later in life....just know I love you..sorry to trick you but it worked.

 It was a big meet...stiff competition..

 He was little.....and most everyone in the heat ran a sub 6 mile....yikes!

 But he ran and...without potassium...earned himself a new PR...a 5:29 mile!

 Now the tough part.....it was cold...and we were freezing. Riggs and I sat in the truck ...in the dark for over an hour together...and at 11 pm...tired and cold...they called him to run 2 miles as fast as he could....(deep sign)....we both wanted to eat....and have a warm bath...

 but off he went....

 and it was hard.....

 really hard.....

 but he did it...and I was so proud of him....
We gathered our stuff and headed to the car....stopped by Wendy's for nuggets and Starbucks for a Vanilla bean frap....he so deserved it! We headed back to Louisville and at midnight when it was officially his birthday I cranked the music and flashed the lights and beeped the horn! Riggs was officially 12! We were bone tired but together ringing in his birthday!

last track meet of the 2013 season

The boys headed to North Oldham for their last track meet of the season....

and man it has been a long one.

 both of them have struggled....physically and mentally this season...and it has been hard

 they were happy this was it......and to be honest so was I.....

 they just don't like track like they do cross country....and this team was not much of a team....and they did not love it...and did not improve...and the list goes on and on...

but when the gun went off....they ran...just not with their hearts....and this track season has definitely shown me that for the Hardy boys that is the strongest muscle they have.....

today went like most track meets his season have....it ended in tears and frustration.....

 so glad it's over.....they meet a break.....a little summer fun mixed with running for their own reason and because THEY love it....

Spring Track

 Spring Track has been hard.....it's cold....the practices are monotonous and difficult...and the boys just are not into it.....
Tonight we took buddies to cheer them on at the meet...and that seemed to help a little....if you are going to be cold....you may as well do it with friends!

 The boys ran well......

 It always helps when you have a cheering section all your own!

 They just don't love track.....cross county is where it is at for them....and it sure makes a difference when you run with your heart! Dreaming of XC season already........

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.

finding the run

After the National XC meet the boys took the winter off. They stepped away from running...took a breath...played with friends....hung out a little more around the kitchen table...but the pull to run is back and first track meets are right around the corner. They have been running with the Y and this Sunday they worked with coach Jeff.

Riggs seems to be finding his run again.....

 His legs are getting it back....and he feels less rusty.......

 and as it settles in....I can see how good it feels....to him....

 Rollins, bless his heart, is struggling......

 He can't seem to find his run again....although I know he is trying......

 for the moment it seems to be lost.....

 and he is struggling with that......he is down...and I hate that for him.It breaks my heart to see him so sad.

Here's to hoping for his run to return soon....and his smile to come back with it.

Track begins

 Here it is winter and we are already picking up the running shoes again as track begins.  Rollins has been going regularly but Riggs not so much as the practices are the exact time as Goshen Basketball practice. Both boys are out of running shape and a little down abut it.  It hard to get back into it...but here we go!