Cross Country Race

Last Wednesday was the kid's cross country races. Laura got third last time but wasn't old enough to go forward to the district race. This year being old enough, we were all keeping our fingers crossed for her to qualify. Adam came about 14th last year (out of 30 odd) and so he wanted to improve on that. There are some fast runners in his age group and Adam takes more after me than Laura does. Not sure where she gets her speed from :)

Adam and Cody before the start

A rare photo of Laura actually wearing things on her feet

Adam's Race

The boys in Adam's race started at a blinding pace. I didn't think they would be able to go so fast for the 2K race but the boy in the light blue Italian football shirt (in 2nd below) ran the whole race at that pace. Apparently he can beat the sports teacher over the 4 laps of the school. The boy in 1st place in the pic in the dark blue shirt came second.


Adam didn't go off at such a fast pace. He ran in a small group with the twins in the photo. He told us afterwards that they agreed halfway through the race to cross the line together.

Adam splits the twins

3 laps down and still looking fit and smiling

Adam even finds the energy to hurdle the 'fence'

Looking comfortable and relaxed. That's my boy! :)

Even some energy left for a sprint finish to split the twins and come in 9th

Really proud of the way Adam ran and completed the course. He's not the fittest or the fastest but he completed the whole course and didn't look half as bad as he did last year (eh Adam). He's definitely a lot fitter and faster.


Laura's Race

Laura has been coming 2nd and 3rd in all the practice runs in the lead up to the race but the practice runs are only with the girls in her class. In the real race there are other girls from her year and apparently there are some fast girls in the other class. We were all hoping she would get in the top three and go to the 'district' race. I said I would 'take care' of the other girls. She didn't know what I was joking about but I couldn't believe it when we turned up at the school to see the girl that always beats Laura hobbling on crutches. She had broke her foot. I had nothing to do with it ... honest ... know what I mean :)

That put Laura in a group of 4 or 5 who were the fastest in practice. I was really nervous for her. Not that I'm a pushy parent or anything :) I just wanted her to do her best. Merely told her not to bother coming home if she didn't make top three :) ..... joke!!! ..... sort of.

Laura is a bit like me (although heaps faster) in that she doesn't get sucked in by the pace around her and just runs along in her own little world at her own pace. The girls at the start went off as fast as the boys and by halfway of the first lap (4 lap race) Laura was in last place. Oooops .... but I knew they couldn't keep that speed up.

Laura tracks Phebe through the woods

I zig zagged around the course with my camera and it was great to see Laura moving through the field. Don't think I'll ever have to run another race again. I can live my athletic life through my kids now :) haha ..... She just kept on going at her own pace and was soon in 4th place.

Still going well

Halfway through the 2nd lap she moved into 3rd and looked like she was catching the 2nd place girl. I lost sight of them as they went into the wooded bit and as I waited at the exit I thought she would come out on the shoulder of the 2nd place girl or maybe in front of her.

Didn't quite work out that way. The first girl came out ...... then the 2nd and then ..... no Laura .... few more seconds (that seemed like ages) and then out came Laura ..... in tears!!! Doh!

Laura comes out the wooded part a bit worse for wear

You can see in the pic that her knees are a bit scuffed and her shirt is dirty. Can't really see the tears or the dirt on her hands and nose. She had tripped on a tree root. This wasn't in the plan. She kept on running though. She didn't mention stopping and I didn't say anything. Few other kids had fallen at similar spot and given up.

Really proud of her that she picked herself up and kept on going. The 4th place girl was catching her and there were still two laps to go. Laura just kept going. The girl behind faded and Laura was always a good distance in front .... until late into the 4th lap. Laura slowed down and the girl started to catch. Jo didn't know Laura had fallen and had had a good cry on the run and said afterwards that she had thought to herself why doesn't Laura just speed up on the last half :)

Laura comes round the last bend

Laura was far enough in front though and she held on for 3rd place and qualified for the 'district' race. Her knees were a bit scuffed but nothing serious. Jo took her to get cleaned up and Laura was in no mood for a victory photo. I didn't wind her up with the camera (for a change). We'll get a victory type photo at the 'districts' no matter where she comes.

We're all very proud of her. I'm really proud that she got third but I'm even more proud that she picked herself up off the floor after the fall less than halfway through the race and finished. I wouldn't have blamed her if she had stopped .... although obviously she wouldn't have been welcomed back into my house :) haha (love you Laura!)

So we're all off to the district race on Wednesday afternoon at Gate Pa School. I'm going to try to get the whole day off. Should be fun. Adam is having the afternoon off to come cheer her on.

Later that day Laura got a surprise. During the afternoon assembly she was called to the front and 'awarded' a 'Duffy Book' for showing the qualities of a 'GVS Kid' (Greerton Village School - pronounced Jeeves Kid) for completing the run after her fall and not giving up.

It was a great day. Well done Adam and Laura .... you both did great!!! ...... from mum and dad :)