Master of the Mason Dixon Games

Indoor Track meets are a bit strange; they are confined, loud and noisy.  The air quality isn't as good as an outdoor meet and often runners with asthma suffer.  Marissa always endures an asthma attack at indoor meets.  We hope Robert isn't affected too much.  This is Robert's second indoor meet, and last one for for the middle school.

Robert hasn't been feeling well since the last meet at Mason County.  Hopefully it will pass soon.

Betsy wasn't able to come to the meet, but luckily Mark's flight brought him home by 4:15 so he was able to get to the meet in time to see both of Robert's races.  Robert forgot to bring a snack and I doubt he ate a good lunch, so this evening's meet isn't going to be favorable to him.

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Robert ran the 1500 meter (100 shy of a mile).  NOMS did great - we had 4 in the top 30:  Nick B came in 8th, Ben O'Brien came in 13th, Mason B. came in 21st and Robert was 27th with a time of 5:27.  There were 66 runners.

Robert's second event was the 800m.  By this time he was tired and expended most of his energy on the 1500 m.  (He should have brought a snack).  The gun goes off and in just 3 minutes the race is over.  Logan O. came in 2nd, Nick B was 10th, Ben O. was 23rd, Mason B. was 26th, and Robert was 27th with a time of 2:43.  There were 79 runners.  Robert was disappointed but also said he's not a sprinter. 

I wasn't there for this meet, but I was there for the Mason County.  I think Robert could have a faster time with improved technique.  He runs with his chest leaning down - the coach was telling him to get tall.  I think if Robert could work on his running posture, he'd be less winded, stronger, and faster.

Even though Robert was disappointed, we were very proud of him!  None of us really like this track.   - this is a track that Marissa hates to run on.  It's so noisy, confusing even.  There are so many heats you don't really know how you are doing in the big picture.  Running against other runners that have ran track all three years at middle school showed up more on this track. 

The results were fantastic:  the girls took 4th place and the boys took 6th.