What a joy it is to watch TJ run on Cross Country for Willow Spring High School.
TJ has always enjoyed sports but has never found a lot of success with games that require strong hand-eye coordination. And, truth be told, he doesn’t put in the time to improve his performance either. Perhaps that’s a result of the small screen generation, or maybe I didn’t force him to go out and play more. However, in running, he has the build and ability to run well.
As we ease out of Covid restrictions, schools are back in session which means that sports are back on. TJ is now a Freshman at the new Willow Spring High School, just a mile from the house. Willow Spring is unique because it only has Freshmen and Sophomore classes which the Class of ’22 and ’23 go to Fuquay High School as a cohort. This uniqueness means that students get on almost any team they want to. Not that this would have hampered TJ’s chances. He is a strong runner with a lot of talent. He easily holds his own against older runners.TJ made the team and has been in two meets already. It is my personal challenge to watch and not to parent-coach him to try to improve his stride, push him harder, and challenge him. Lisa reminds me that there are three more years of High School for him to find all of that. But I want him to find his competitive spirit. I want him to find the fun and personal reward in running. Eventually, I want to run a race with him, side by side. Yesterday he finished sixteenth place, well within the first quarter of the pack. He pushed hard at the end and forced the runner in front of him - a senior - to break into a sprint in order to finish ahead. It was good to watch. He finished the 3k in about 13:14.
There is a whole season ahead. We are urging TJ to keep up the fun runs with his peers. Running is TJ's niche, even if it just a hobby instead of a desire.
