State CC meet

Why is it ALWAYS cold on State Meet day?!?!?! Last year it was rainy and snowy--this year was windy and freezing!!! Guess it makes the kids run faster, right? We were bundled up and headed to Lexington!

 

Yup, I was snapping pictures like crazy!

Today was the BIG meet (KTCCCA Meet of Champions) that we the kids have been working towards all season long. I usually don't get nervous at meets, but I was extremely nervous at this meet. Last year  there were so many kids all over the place. If you didn't get a good start you were screwed, narrow lanes, kids walking in the turns, it was awful!!!

We found our text and bunked down, tried to keep the kids calm, warm  and resting until the meet started.

Thankfully today was still crazy and a lot of kids but Hunter was coached very well on how to get out of those situations and he got an amazing start!!!

Everyone gathered at the starting line to wish the boys good luck (love their team support for each other) and to gather the clothes as kids started stripping the layers.

Praying before the start

 

I get so emotional each time the race goes off--its something about seeing all these kids (there were 392 ) in the 6 and under group. Coach let Hunter run down (he is a 6th grader so if there is a 6 and under age group, he runs that. Its all a point system and he had a better chance of getting less points--think golf. I really don't understand much more then that, thankful Coach and Hunter know what they are doing)

Coach, Brian and I were at certain markers during the course so we could encourage and yell times to him. I was that Momma--yelling and cheering like crazy!!

 

 

Coach was upfront and honest with the kids and always has been. He told Hunter that he really didn't think he could get top 30 because of his previous time (12:32--it was his slowest time ever last week) Well, with Hunter you tell him something and he is determined to prove you wrong! It paid off because Hunter placed 26th, had a new PR (personal record) 11:58.08 and obtained his goal of Elite (that's under 12 minutes). I was crying like a baby.

 

How awesome to see your  name on the MOC official shirt?!?!

 

I am beyond proud of Hunter, he has been putting in long hours of training and running between 35-50 miles each week. Never once has he complained about it--he is the most determined runner with the largest heart I ever met, this young. He knows what he wants, sets his goals high and works towards them.

 

Next meet--AAU NATIONAL meet in GEORGIA!!