Jack's half mile race.

I remember as a kid when it was field day. I was happy because we could be outside all day and not be stuck in the classroom. Parents came to make us feel like amazing athletes. I also liked to win. I was a long jumper. I jumped, and people gasped, I loved that feeling. It was casual and simple and in the end a fun day.

Field Day is now a major event, at least in our school district. Wednesday we went to Heroes Stadium, the football field for our school district. It felt like going to a university event. It was a scramble to get there on time, but with three minutes to spare before they called Jack’s team down to the track for the fourth grade boys 800 meter run, we made it. And Jack was on the field with his pals nervous, excited, and eager to win.

The kids had to qualify to be in these races, and they ran against all the other schools in the district. I can’t tell you how badly this boy wanted to win. He’s got the fierce competitor gene passed down from the LaTorre side. (I definitely don’t have it.)

The gun shot, Kira and I hollered “go Jack” and we watched twenty-five ten year old boys race around the track twice. A half mile is a LONG way to sprint. At the end Jack pulled out some reserve energy and passed a competitor to cross the finish line in fourth place. He said, “I did the best I could.” That’s all we can do. That is the goal. Cute.“Excellence is a habit.”  I can’t remember the last time I tried THAT HARD to do something. Hmm…

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