80+ degrees on the coast is too, too hot. At least for most of the us spectators at yesterday's track meet it was too hot. Having the stands full of people isn't unusual around here. That is usually the only place to stay dry and out of the biting wind. Yesterday that was the only place to stay out of the sun. Sadly, an afternoon breeze never developed, so there was absolutely no relief. But hey, we didn't care. The athletes did well, the company was great, and I loved hearing a young athlete sitting next to us ask his friend, "Who is that short, little girl coming around the corner?" You guessed it. My oldest granddaughter who was gaining on and ultimately passing their team mate just inches from the finish line of the 200 meter dash. Impressive!--even to the competition.
More impressive, though, was a younger granddaughter's performance. Because she had never run the 400 meter dash in competition before, she was not seeded, This meant she was to start in the far outside lane. In a staggered start, that meant she would seemingly be in the lead for most of the race--at least until the last third, but hopefully more (a tough lane to be in). She is fast and hoped to make it to districts next week. She was pumped and ready to show the rest of the runners that they had some serious competition.
"On your marks!" She steps into the blocks.
"Set!" She settles into place. Her mind is focused on the race ahead.
Starter pauses.
Granddaughter loses her balance and steps off her blocks just as the gun goes off.
Second gun sounds. False start. Granddaughter is disqualified.
I am so proud of that girl. Yes, she sought solitude for a time. Yes, she cried (sobbed actually). Yes, she was disappointed. All her hard work to reach this point seemed for naught; however, within a half hour or so she was out of seclusion, videoing other athletes, and talking to coaches, family and team mates. A smile was back on her face in spite of the occasional tear. She is ready to run again tomorrow in the 4x100 meter relay. She will also high jump tomorrow. Life will go on.
Last night after getting home she tweeted, "Thank you to all my family and friends for comforting me when I was crying. It meant a lot. I am proud to have a team/family like you guys!"
This granddaughter I once knew as a silly-little, pretty-little girl has become a witty, talented, beautiful young women who continually surprises and blesses me with her thoughts, wisdom, and love.
She will probably always remember that false start, but I pray there will be life lessons learned--lessons about: working hard, disappointments, always being ready to move forward even if she occasionally jumps the gun, false starts saying nothing about her abilities or her training, and victories are more than crossing the finish line first.
You're a winner, girl.
I will spend another afternoon at a track meet tomorrow, the final day of district pre-lims. This meet determines what athletes will advance to next week's district competition. All five grandchildren have a good chance to make it, barring dropped batons, scratched jumps, and false starts. No matter what happens, they are all winners in my eyes.
Thankful that my Lord thinks I'm a winner too, even when I have false starts. Ooooops! I did it again.
Jan
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