There is something so nostalgic for me about track meets. From 5th grade until I graduated from college, I spent many spring days after school and most of my week-ends at track meets. The overhead announcements. The order of events. Lining up on the starting line. The starter's pistol. The anticipation. The competition. The flood of adrenaline at the starting line and that last surge of energy to cross the finish line. Spending my day at the track brings all those emotions and all those memories flooding back.
Last week-end was a chance to introduce my kids to a sport that I love. They participated in a track camp followed by a little track meet. The kids spent the morning attending sessions of their choosing to learn about different events and honing their track and field skills. Then they spent the afternoon competing in those track and field events. They all had so much fun!
Each of my kids picked which sessions they wanted to participate in. Staley chose sprints, hurdles, shot put, and high jump. Adelie and Briggs both chose sprints, hurdles, long jump, and high jump. To be fair, Adelie chose her sessions and I just signed up Briggs since he was in her same group. I wasn't sure how Briggs would do as he was one of the youngest in the pre-school/Kindergarten group, but he jumped right in and participated well in all his sessions.
After a lunch break, it was time for the meet. Each of my kids picked 5 events to participate in with Staley adding a 6th when she joined a relay team. Not surprising, Briggs was scared of the starter's pistol. He was late off the blocks during his hurdles race because he was too busy trying to cover his ears and he refused to participate in his sprint race. I was able to get him to run his distance event (200 meters) by standing at the starting line with him while he covered his ears and then telling him when it was time to go. He thoroughly enjoyed his field events (long jump and high jump) as there were no sudden loud noises to worry about.
Seriously. How cute are these hurdles?
Adelie and Staley both had a great time participating in their chosen events as well. As my ever-competitive one, Staley spent a good portion of all her races looking around her to keep an eye on the competition. I kept trying to tell her that she would run faster if she just looked straight ahead, but apparently the need to scope the competition was too great.
Staley checking out the competition
Following the meet, they had an awards ceremony for all the events. There were medals given for the top 3 places in each event with ribbons to the 4th through 8th place finishers. I didn't anticipate Briggs placing in any of his events as my barely 4 year old was in a group competing against 5 and 6 year olds. However, he surprised us with an 8th place finish in the distance event (200 m). He was so pleased to have a chance to get up on the podium.
Big finish!
Adelie got 5th place ribbons for her high jump and long jump, but ran to a 3rd place finish in the distance event. Maybe she has a future as a distance runner? That would make her mom happy.
Staley came home with the most hardware. She placed 7th in the hurdles, 5th in both shot put and distance (400 meters), 3rd with her relay, and finished in first in the high jump. Her high jump form and height was surprisingly good. Needless to say, she was thrilled!
There are so many things to love about track. Spending time outside in the beautiful spring weather. Cheering on your teammates. Pushing yourself to improve. The discipline. The various events to showcase people's different abilities. So many lessons from my track days have instilled positive traits that have led to success in other aspects of my life.
I never want to push my children to do an activity or sport that they are not interested in. I know that each of my children has their own strengths, their own talents, their own interests. I will allow them choices and the freedom to determine their own path. On the other hand, I will introduce them to the things I love with the hope that they might want to choose some of the same paths I did.
Track camp was a great way to spend the day. I loved it. My kids loved it. They learned from their sessions. They made new friends. They tried new things. They felt encouraged by their successes. And most importantly, they had fun.
Track camp may have been just a one day fun childhood activity or it may be the start of a journey. Who knows, maybe someday they will look back with nostalgia on all those spring days that they spent at the track, building life skills and making great memories along the way.
