Track and Field Day

Today, I picked up my supply plans for the day and written in pink highlighter across the top of the page were the words, “Track and Field Day!” Now, at certain schools and in certain weather conditions this would spell out a disaster day, but at this particular school and in this particular weather (20 degrees and sunny!) I was over the moon.

Track and Field Day tends to receive mixed reviews depending upon which of the following categories you fall into:

1. The Athletes: You are thrilled. You are walking home with multiple ribbons today, a ticket to the city finals, and a bucket full of pride. The only thing you are concerned about is whether your race is at a time of day when everyone will be able to watch you win.
2. The “Mehs”: (this was me as a student) This is a good day! You've set your sights low so you won't be disappointed, but you will likely do respectably enough in at least one event to boost your self-esteem. If it is a flukey day, you may even end up heading to the finals wondering how in the world you pulled it off.
3. The Non-Athletes: You are probably feeling one of two ways about this day:
   i) Vacation time! No one expects anything from you, so you are free to relax the day away.
   ii) This is the WORST. DAY. EVER.

These categories are what had me in tears at today's track and field meet. Literally. Let me explain...

Imagine the 800-meter race. 2 laps around the track seems so little now! But when you are 10 years old, and you are (adorably!) chubby, and the sun is hot, and you are a lap behind the rest of your heat, 800-meters is a never-ending death march.

Now imagine you are coming up to your last 100-meter dash. You are sweaty, panting, and the other guys have long since finished. But what's that you hear as you turn the final corner??? A roar from the crowd!! They are lining the track and cheering you on, and you feel like you might be able to pick up the pace just a little. And when you pick up the pace just a little, the chanting begins, “Bro-dy! Bro-dy! Bro-dy!” Suddenly, there are little kids and big kids running along the track, keeping pace with you while they clap their hands and shout your name. The Athletes, The “Mehs”, and The Non-Athletes have all banded together to carry you the final stretch of the way on the power of their optimism, and you feel like you have conquered the world when you finally cross that finish line.

And, on the side of the track, Mrs. A is discreetly balling her eyes out behind her sunglasses.