Welcome Back!
One thing that I am very excited for with this web-site is the ability to share videos with you! Lucky viewers!!
Jack had a great track season and we really enjoyed watching him run, race and jump this year! Jack ran for Turbo Track Club and for this club, Jack ran with 11-12 year olds because that is how old he will be at the end of 2016. So at the time of the races, he was 10 years old running against 12 year olds in some races. It was definitely a learning year and some races he did super well where others were a bit more challenging!
Here is a video of one of Jack’s 100 m races. He is in the orange jersey on the far left. You can hear people cheering for him, “Go Jackson!” Love at the end when his coach yells “Come on buddy push” and then “Catch him..that a boy!” That makes Jack smile, because he did catch the boy!
This next video is of Jack’s 4×100 team. Jack is the third leg getting the hand off from the tall boy. You will notice that Jack didn’t take off and the kid ran up on Jack…simple mistake and another running lesson!
Jack did go to the USATF meet and ran the finals in the 100 and 200. He placed 6th in the 100 and 7th in the 200. There were two false starts in the 200, so when the gun went off for the third time, Jack actually started and slowed down anticipating another false start. Another running lesson! Jason and I looked at each other and said, “Oops. Never talked about those did we!”
Jack was pretty upset with his 6th and 7th place finishes, but we reminded him that of all the runners his age, he placed 6th out of 34 kids and 7th out of 24 kiddos! He also showed up and ran against those kids and was successful no matter his place. It was an excellent reminder to us that it isn’t all about winning, but doing and finishing what you set out to accomplish and Jack did just that. After that realization, Jack did wear his 6th place medal with a puffy chest!
(The other day were at the mall and a boy in front of us had a running t-shirt on with “Sixth Place” printed on the back. Jack looked at me and I said, “You could wear that, couldn’t you.” He looked at me with a smile and said, “Yea. I’d wear that.”)
Jack also participated in the long jump this year. He had only practiced a couple times, but when we asked if he wanted to jump, he said, “Why not.” It was good practice for him! Can you see my mom and me in the background?
Jason and Sam gave encouragement and tips after each jump.
Side note: People always comment on how much Sam looks like my dad..I caught this picture: check out the facial expressions, their mouths, noses and eyes (they are the only two people in our family that have blue eyes!)
Such handsome gents!
Can’t wait for next year track season!!
Sydney loved her track camp she did this summer, I am going to sign her up for Ankeny track club next spring. She liked the relay, high jump, long jump and 100, I hope this will be her thing. I can’t imagine getting out there and running in front of all those people with them watching you.
Jennifer…I really think she would like that track club!She should definitelytry it out!!