Robert Runs at Shelbyville Invitational

Well, to start with, to be honest - Robert is not happy to be running in this meet today.  He says he feels unprepared because he never gets to go to XC practice.  I feel bad for him, but it will be good for him to get a race in and see where he is compared to his team and where he is compared to last year. 

Even though Robert and a few of his teammates are running first thing in the morning - it's already a hot day. 

We drove to the Shelby County HS Invitational.  This is where Regionals was Marissa's freshman year.  Robert has run here before but only as a middle school race.  It's a tough course - running around a few corn fields, up and down hills, zig zags, it's crazy, but it's a great course for spectators - Mark and I can see him at several places.

CRAZY enough, because only three boys, Robert, David Terkula and Danny Walker are running, Robert gets to run in the Varsity race.  The race starts at 9:15.  We are all pumped.  We wish we had reminded Robert to put water on top of his head - it would help with the heat!!!  OOPS!

David Terkula takes the lead for the first mile of the race.  Robert works his way up and passes Danny around the same place.  Robert keeps a good pace the whole race and doesn't slow down on the hills.  I'm so proud of him for giving his BEST even though he didn't want to run.  He doesn't even know that he is running in a Varsity race.

Robert finished in 29th place with a time of 19:32.  David Terkula (who normally runs under 17) finished at 18:06 and Danny came in at 19:55.  Robert has a great time.  I'm so proud of him.

After the race they had a "cool" bath - close to an ice bath.  The boys were just dipping their heads in until I said something like - the boys are so matcho just dipping their heads in while the girls get all the way in.  Once another boy heard that he said, "We can get in?"  I said, "Yes, that's what it's for."  He immediately climbed over - spikes and all - and then so did a few other boys.  Robert joined the group and he really loved it.  It felt sooooooooooo good!!!