I don't run (unless I am being chased by something). I jokingly tell my friends and people that I meet at these running events, that I run all the time. I run the sweeper, I run the dishwasher, I run the washing machine, I even run all over town getting my kids to various activities.
Now a Freshman in High School, Hannah, ran Cross Country and earned a Varsity letter in the fall. She wanted to continue running and training over the winter so she decided to join indoor track. I've seen indoor track on television at some point in my life, but have never experienced it. Last week I discovered what it was all about.
Her first meet was in Bowling Green Ohio at the University. It was a Sunday, which was the first thing I didn't like about it. We rushed to early church dressed in our school colors and Hannah is her running clothes. Immediately after the service we drove the 30 minutes to the meet. It was 11am when we arrived, she was ushered to the team room and my husband and I tried to figure out where to sit. Bleachers were set up in the "infield" with a long jump pit in the corner, a high jump mat to the right and Pole Vault right behind us. So many things were happening at the same time, I wasn't sure what to watch.
Hannah would be running just one event, the two mile or 3200. We looked in the program and saw that it would be one of the last events of the day. 2 hours of watching and waiting and her coach stopped by to say hello. He mentioned that we may want to get lunch, there were many kids there to compete. This should have been the first clue that it would be a long day.
After lunch we went back to the gym to watch....and wait...and wait...and watch. 7 Hours after our first arrival Hannah ran her event.
Five days later we headed to another gym at a local college. 4:30pm she arrived and ran the second event of the night. the 4x800 relay with other girls from her Cross Country team. Hannah would still run the 2 mile the last event of the evening. This is where we get to know the people around us.
It is now 11:15pm and Hannah lines up to run. She is #2. She ran her little heart out and pushed her limits to finish just a bit over 13 minutes. So proud of her and her dedication for a girl of 14.
That's it, just two meets. I watched Hannah run 3 events, sat for 14 hours and discovered the passion and drive that keeps her going. The only thing that will keep me going (to these events) is a good bleacher pad, lots of snacks, and a cell phone charger.
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