PR for the Win

TJ's High School Cross Country career is almost over, but not before setting an incredible PR that set a new Willow Spring School record but most likely also propelled the team to win the Conference Championship!

TJ always has a solid performance when he runs. Compared to you and me, he is astoundingly fast. Compared to his peers, he is in the top 10-20 of the runners in his meets. As good as he is, TJ is not overly competitive. He has been caught several times, chatting with his rivals, catching up on what they did over summer break, or even encouraging them to run up that Wake med hill.  He knows this about himself. His coach knows. His parents know. It is frustrating because he does not push himself to reach his maximum potential.  

And then, once in a while, he lets all that go and does the incredible.  The greater Neuse River Conference meet was at Wake Med Soccer Park. It is a course TJ knows well.  Down the hill, through the woods, back up the hill, around the park and into the woods again, and finish up that hill! My advice to TJ is the always the same, go out fast, find your pace, and finish strong. Yesterday was no different.

I try to work around work and go to TJ's senior year events. Work does not need me to sit in front of screen as much as my son needs to see that his dad cares to see him compete.  Lisa is almost always there.

TJ started his race and went out strong. Lisa moved to the bottom of the hill and I positioned myself at the halfway point. As he came up the hill at the one-mile mark he was in the first three runners and looked good. His other teammates, the ones who are usually ahead of him, were a good 30 seconds behind. I thought there was no way he could maintain for another two miles. Right?!

There is about 10 minutes between the first run up the hill and the second run up the hill to the finish line. With shouts of "here they come," the runners came out of the woods and TJ was still in the top three and shoulder to shoulder with another runner. My excitement was bursting, and I screamed for him to push the hill. I looked at my stopwatch as I watched him head to the finish line. I couldn't see the finish line, but I could guestimate - and I hit the red STOP button.  It read 16:36. 

I ran to the finish area. TJ was on the ground as most runners are after 3.1 miles at their top speed. I helped him up and hugged him. I told him his time. He couldn't believe it. Neither could I. He was almost 30 seconds faster than his best time. His time was faster than is buddy, Jack, ever ran for the school. 

TJ set the Willow Spring High School Cross Country record.  

The next ten minutes were filled with joy, incredulity (literally a Holy $hit moment), and cheers. Lisa came up the hill and hugged TJ. His teammates were blown away by his time.  The Willow Spring Athletic Director high fived TJ.  TJ was having his best day ever.

I am not entirely sure how scoring works, but I am pretty sure that his finish put the boys' team into First Place for the first every Conference win and a new trophy for the case at the school. At least that's the story we will tell.