Run, Run, Get Some (Pt II)

 
"What should we do this weekend?" is a recurring question in our house. It turns out that we are a family of runners.

In this family we do Disney. We watch everything Star Wars. We travel once in a while. However, what we are really good at is running. I have been running for over 35 years. Lisa has multiple marathons and a couple of Sprint Triathlons under her belt. TJ is an emerging distance running star. Also in a surprise turn, Grant is faster than anyone realized. We only hope that Sam gets her ankle fixed and starts running again!  

With TJ driving on I-40, this past weekend we went to Wilmington, NC for the Half Marathon and 5k races. With good running weather and positive attitudes we all lined up at our respective races and took off.  TJ blew the field away with a PR of 18:06 for the 5k. He finished third overall. Grant finished sixteenth overall and second in his age group. Not only was Grant fast, he was faster than his brother's 5k time when he was 12ish. Lisa set a strong time and finished second for her age group. I ran the Half Marathon a little slower than in the past. I came in fifth place for my age group.  All in all we won $80 in gift certificates, four Bundt cakes, and a growler of beer.  

This is who we are. Running can take you to some fun places. Every race we have been to is a supportive community event full of encouraging people; Disney, NYC, Nashville. Only the very elite runners compete against one another. Everyone else is merely running against their last race and hoping that there is free beer and good music at the finish line. When I look at the wall of our medals and the medals hanging in the kid's rooms I realize that we need to do this more. In a few weeks we will head back to Disney for the Toy Story Ten Miler. However, in the meantime we can sign up for more races as a family.  

Just one final note about this picture; my finish line tradition. Lately I have taken to charging up the crowd at the finish line to get them loud and excited. The crowd always makes the race more fun. As a runner I am truly appreciative of the people who come out to the side of the road to cheer, cowbell, and high-five runners - often complete strangers. A race without spectators is just a run. I like to give a little back to them at the finish line even though my kids roll their eyes at my antics.  

Team Player

Grant is just an awesome kid who clearly sets his own course. Superior in math and way above average in everything else in school, he rises above the ordinary. He clearly is not cut from the same cloth as his brother is, and to be frank, it is great to have children who are not carbon copies of one another.  

Grant fully embraced Middle School. He no longer wanted us to walk with him to the bus stop. In fact, if it is raining he makes us drive him halfway so that it looks like he walked on his own.  He is engaged in school at all levels. 

So, when the basketball season started, Grant dropped Science Olympiad and tried out to be the Boy's Basketball Team manager. Because he is in 6th Grade, he is ineligible to play any sports but he can be a team manager, and that's what happened.  

Grant was one of three selected to help the team with rebounds, provide water, ensure that balls were put away, and that the home stadium was reset at the end of the game.  He loved being part of team. He hated having to reset the stadium when he felt he should be with the team after a win - because the win was as much his as player's.  

As the manager he saw the best of players and worst of parents.  Kids play basketball with heart and determination. Parents watch the game with emotion and opinions. 

At least once those emotions and opinions rose to a point where refs had to remove parents from the game. It is an ugly thing to see because this is just a bunch of 7th and 8th Graders playing. It is not the NCAA Tournament.  

Despite me encouraging him to wear a coat and tie at games, Grant was very proud of his team pull over and Bengals themed Nikes.  Watching from the stands I was impressed at how well he fit in among kids who were older than him. Grant showed no fear, shyness, or apprehension around these boys who were clearly maturing.  While it might only seem like 24 short months between those classmates, the surge of hormones between 12 and 14 years old is significant and it shows.  At the team dinner after the last game, Grant engaged everyone. Grant had no problem holding his own. 

The Fuquay Varina Middle School Boy's Basketball season is over.  The team won several, including a couple of nail biters, and lost a few hard-fought games too.  They had one of the best managers ever.  

Dog Grandparents

Welcome to dog ownership, Samantha and Mitch. You are now a family. Anytime you bring another life into the house you become a family.  When Lisa and I rescued Poly from a mentally unstable woman who had painted the puppy's nails pink, we became a family. 

That big, sweet, innocent face will bring you so much joy. That face will also bring frustration and worry. Don't sweat it, you are both up to the challenge.  

Buoy, Bowie, however you spell it, is going to be a big, fluffy sweetheart. You can just see it in her.

I suppose that makes us Doggie Grandparents. That only means that we get to spoil her with new toys and treats and send her back all wound up and ready to keep playing.  It does not mean we are dog sitting whenever you two decide you are going on vacation. (looks at the face) Well, probably not.