Yesterday I attended another track meet. I actually kind of enjoy going, even though they are eternally long. The weather was supposed to be nice, and I made all the arrangements necessary to make sure I could arrive at the meet before it started so I would be sure to see the sprint medley, which was scheduled as the first event. I gave Mauri options: come with me and her friend Lauren could come and we would stop by McDonald's on the way out and get happy meals with the awesome dragon prizes (they had gone to see the movie How to Tame Your Dragon on Wednesday, and had already collected one dragon). It really wasn't a bribe... just the only way I could make it to McD's that day. The second option was to stay home. It wouldn't be long before Shi would be home from school, then once she left for the play, Bill would be home soon after. With the allure of that happy meal dragon staring her in the face, Mar chose option 1.
The meet was about an hour away in Colorado Springs. We grabbed the happy meals on the way out, then set off. Not 20 minutes into the drive, one of the girls asked, "How much longer?" Once we arrived at the meet, the girls debated whether or not to leave their sweatshirts in the car... it WAS a nice day. I told them to bring them, just in case (remembering the last meet where I froze for 3 long hours). The good news, we were there in time for the relay... and they started right on time. Three teams scratched (they weren't there in time), but here is the final leg (and please just ignore my yelling... I'm such an embarrassing mom):
Good job, Lex! Once that event was over, I was in for four long hours of a cold, sad, dramatic, sick-to-her-stomach, head-aching Mauri. Lauren was cold too. And bored. Because Mauri was just no fun in that state of mind. Lesson learned.
Mauri + track meet = Misery.
Mauri + track meet = Misery.
Other drama at the meet:
We unknowingly sat by the loudest Mom/Grandma/Guardian and her two boys on the face of the planet. After about 30 minutes of listening to her threaten those noisy boys nonstop in her even noisier voice, we politely shuffled to a new area.
My emotions were stirred as a girl named Grace ran the 1600. She was double-lapped by the leading girls, and lapped by the rest. She ran that final lap alone. What were her coaches thinking?? People applauded as she crossed the finish line, then I watched as her coaches and teammates congratulated her... then walked away. I hope it wasn't the kind of confidence killer that will affect her for the rest of her life.
Then, somewhere in the middle of the meet, a dad showed up and sat behind us. I could never figure out exactly what school he was there to support, since he was hollering for everyone. I overheard him say they had recently moved from Virginia and had no other family here in Colorado. I was somewhat impressed with his support for all participants, but annoyed at the same time (especially since I was also dealing with dramatic Mauri). I don't know how many times you can hear, "Way to go, way to go, Vista Ridge!" and "Looking good, looking good, Liberty!" Seriously... he was cheering for them all. In his loud, deep, penetrating, manly voice. Right behind me.
Lexee ran the 400. I was trying to take pictures over the very high chain link fence surrounding the track.
She was running in second place, but the third place girl was gaining. I tried to watch the finish, but from my vantage point couldn't see if the other girl had edged her out. Another Legend Mom said, "Lex took second. I saw it." When they announced the results, however, Lex had placed third. I figured that the girl must have just barely beat her. Maybe she leaned forward, or thrust her arm out... something. As we were leaving I stopped by the posted result papers... blowing in the cold mountain wind. I wanted to see how close it was. The results showed that other girl had beat Lex by over a second. No way. I asked Lex about it. She said, "Mom, I know I finished ahead of her." I'm not saying the girl couldn't have beat her... I'm just saying that even I know it wasn't by THAT much. Makes you just wonder, doesn't it?
Lauren's mom showed up with the requested blanket after a couple hours, but Mauri apparently wanted to play the misery martyr for a little bit longer and wouldn't get under it. Sigh. In Mauri's defense, though, she has a little temperature today. So it wasn't all for show.
After Lexee's final event, I headed for home with Mauri. She slept in the back seat, avoiding the almost-running-out-of-gas dilemma. I definitely cut it close. I had decided to go home the "back way," meaning a good 40 miles of country road with no gas stations in sight. But we made it. Drama over.
I am always amazed at the "Graces" that seem to be at every track meet. With life's push to be the best, be #1, it is always gives me chills to think that those kids JUST DO IT, even though they finish last. How many of the rest of us give up on something if we finish last, because we're taught if you're not #1 it's not worth it...or even if you obviously will never get much better it's not worth it? I love they "Graces" at the track meets...they give me hope.
ReplyDeleteI hope it didn't come across that I thought Grace SHOULDN'T be on her school's team, I just felt that her coaches could have been more sensitive to her developing talent and put her in some races where she wouldn't have had to endure the lengthy time alone on the track. I also had a sense of the "fakeness" of the congratulations of her teammates when they turned around and immediately left her alone on the field. It definitely caused me to reflect on the kind of courage she must have had, since I thought to myself that I would have probably just stopped before the final lap, bowed out, and left.
ReplyDeleteI also just wanted to add that there is a possible (and probable) resolution to my concern over Lex's 400. There WERE three heats. Most likely a girl in another heat beat her time. I'm equally as proud of her, whatever she places. I feel better just FEELING that this was the case, and high school track is still FAIR... now if it could just "do more than be fair: be kind."
I didn't think what you said came across as if she shouldn't be on the team, it sounded to me like you were sad for her. I just think (as you said) it takes great courage to finish up when you're "so far behind". I personally am not sure I've got that kind of courage, so I definitely am in awe of how those kids continue on when the world would tell them to stop 'cause they've lost. At least I'm assuming they continue on through the season...who knows, maybe next week they just give up! (I hope not, though!)
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