Cross Country Fun

The kids are in cross country again this year.  A lot has changed this year from last for the kidlets running abilities.  Last year Jayna INTENTIONALLY "forgot" running shoes or clothes practically every other day.  She ended up with a sprained ankle... and juiced it for as much as she could.  Anthony ran practice every day, but his times weren't good enough to run in the meets other than the last one where everyone was allowed to run.

This year, neither kid has missed a practice, Jayna only forgot her shoes once (And I brought her them) and their times have greatly improved.  No I don't have that magic mom knows all power to tell you their times, but Anthony qualified in the first meet with a time of 23 minutes-- has to be 26 or under to compete.  His best qualifying time has been 19 minutes.  I wish on race days they'd announce times but they don't so I no clue.  I do know Jayna's original qualifying time was 34 minutes.... and by qualifying for meet three she was just at 26 so could run.

Meet 1: Presbeterian Home Invitational

Jayna had selfie fun while waiting for Anthony and her classmates to pass by.  Most the schools who ran were middle schoolers (grades 6,7,8).  This was a much more hilly course than he was used to so he was plenty tired, but also plenty happy!  Luckily the weather was great and comfortable so it was a perfect running day.

Meet 2: At Home vs James River Day School

This race day was pretty hot, but it was nice to have a home race, on a course Anthony knew well minus the crazy hills of the previous week.

Meet 3: At Home vs Nelson County Middle School

This was my favorite race so far.  Clearly my love of playing in the rain with my kids paid off.  They did awesome!  At qualifying for this race Anthony ran it in 19 minutes, Jayna in 26- almost 27 minutes.  I wasn't here for the start of this race but drove as quick as I safely could from work.  It was nice and rainy.  Jayna was a speeding bullet!  She out-ran almost everyone from the half way point and remained in her position at the finish line.  She was the second girl to finish and 4th over all.  Because it was raining, girls and boys ran together.  Anthony and all the other DTD students stayed right together in a pack.  It was a great run with a natural refresher: rain.  The bottom left corner picture of Ant smiling, he was cheering on Jayna who was nicely ahead and he saw her.

Sadly I missed meet 4- It was in Nelson County and as usual I had crossing guard, so Daddy was elected to attend since it was near his work so we didn't waste gas.  The kids were rewarded the next day with Sheetz slushies for a race well run!