Last year Kamrin ran in the Cross Country meet of the Christian / Catholic schools in the area. I had never been to a meet before and found it so exhilarating. I missed her first race due to Mikka splitting open her head at the track and having to rush her to get her first taste of staples in the scalp. Kamrin ran the race immediately after I took a blood soaked Mikka away and she finished so well...She claims it was the stress of the preceding event that pushed her. The next meet was held at the Heartlake Conservation Area. The trees were golden, the air was wet and the energy was tangible for last years final race. Kamrin was a stress case but did so well. I had never seen her run before and the event was brilliant.
At the finish line of the race is where it gets very intense. Last year I remember kids climbing up this huge hill and trying to finish well. Adults and kids alike were lined up all along the guiding ropes, cheering on kids as they came up over the crest. Some kids collapsed, lots came up to the finish crying, and then there are those who are born to run and just smiled when they finished the race. That first track meet did it for me....I was hooked. Kamrin didn't finish high enough to get to the finals last year, but we were so proud of her for finishing at all! She now had a goal in her horizon - to beat her time from that meet.
Fast forward to this past fall and the meet was at the same location. It was a very crisp and gorgeous sunny day. No rain, only energy you could taste in the air. I was all a jitter. Seriously, palms sweating, heart pounding...and I wasn't running! I get an amazing case of nerves before this event. I sweat profusely during the Olympics too - there is just something about running a race that makes me go crazy. I knew a lot of people at the race that day and they all know me...but they all got to know a bit of a crazier side that day. I screamed, cheered and yelled my heart out at that race. Seeing my wee Jessica Stegeman come around the bend made me almost wet my pants! I was so excited and bursting with pride. The next race was Kamrin's and Alexa's ( bff's)...I couldn't stand still...I am sure I was hopping. I hop when I am nervous...just watch my wedding video...if you look closely enough you can see me bouncing! Anyway.....Alexa finished her race first. I yelled and yelled and cheered and cheered. Those Stegeman girls are like my own - I was so happy! After Alexa came one of the highlights of my life - my little Kamrin - finishing the race 2nd - 2nd out of 140 odd kids!!!! I kinda lost it. I was crying, I was screaming, I was jumping - basically making a horses ass out of myself. But this is what I do....I cheer. I cheered for hours that day - for all the other John Knox Christian School students and kids I had no idea who they were and had the most marvelous day and without fail, lost my voice (I am sure to the relief of many in my proximity!)
Kamrin's school had their track and field day this past week. I enjoy watching her do all the activities - but again, it is at the 100m track that I go berserk. I am sure the kids get a laugh out of old crazy Mrs. Ward. Kamrin tells me it's SO embarrassing....but I know deep down she loves it...I don't mind looking like a fool cheering on my kid. Heck, I am used to looking like a fool....it's getting very natural for me. I remember doing track and field in HS and SUCKING at running. I just remember feeling my bum move TOO much and hated the feeling...jello on a platter....not cool. I stuck to discus, shot-put and javelin and rocked those....but running was NOT for me!
Much to her delight, Kamrin finished high enough to make it to Master Track (6 Christian Schools from the region compete at a Stadium in Toronto) in 2 events, but could only compete in one. Triple Jump....I could NEVER do triple jump...but as Darren is quick to say - she has his genes so of course she can! Triple Jump is a more refined sport....you don't want to make anyone lose their concentration over those crazy steps. I was a good mom today - I screamed for all the others racing, but kept my cool when my kid jumped. And jump she did - she placed 1st!!!!
I realize that cheering loudly may offend some and make others feel uncomfortable - trust me, I've seen some glare. Chillax I say!!! Cheering is my special way of letting people know I believe in them...wholeheartedly!!!! And I know when to turn it down too.....I think :)
At the finish line of the race is where it gets very intense. Last year I remember kids climbing up this huge hill and trying to finish well. Adults and kids alike were lined up all along the guiding ropes, cheering on kids as they came up over the crest. Some kids collapsed, lots came up to the finish crying, and then there are those who are born to run and just smiled when they finished the race. That first track meet did it for me....I was hooked. Kamrin didn't finish high enough to get to the finals last year, but we were so proud of her for finishing at all! She now had a goal in her horizon - to beat her time from that meet.
Fast forward to this past fall and the meet was at the same location. It was a very crisp and gorgeous sunny day. No rain, only energy you could taste in the air. I was all a jitter. Seriously, palms sweating, heart pounding...and I wasn't running! I get an amazing case of nerves before this event. I sweat profusely during the Olympics too - there is just something about running a race that makes me go crazy. I knew a lot of people at the race that day and they all know me...but they all got to know a bit of a crazier side that day. I screamed, cheered and yelled my heart out at that race. Seeing my wee Jessica Stegeman come around the bend made me almost wet my pants! I was so excited and bursting with pride. The next race was Kamrin's and Alexa's ( bff's)...I couldn't stand still...I am sure I was hopping. I hop when I am nervous...just watch my wedding video...if you look closely enough you can see me bouncing! Anyway.....Alexa finished her race first. I yelled and yelled and cheered and cheered. Those Stegeman girls are like my own - I was so happy! After Alexa came one of the highlights of my life - my little Kamrin - finishing the race 2nd - 2nd out of 140 odd kids!!!! I kinda lost it. I was crying, I was screaming, I was jumping - basically making a horses ass out of myself. But this is what I do....I cheer. I cheered for hours that day - for all the other John Knox Christian School students and kids I had no idea who they were and had the most marvelous day and without fail, lost my voice (I am sure to the relief of many in my proximity!) Kamrin's school had their track and field day this past week. I enjoy watching her do all the activities - but again, it is at the 100m track that I go berserk. I am sure the kids get a laugh out of old crazy Mrs. Ward. Kamrin tells me it's SO embarrassing....but I know deep down she loves it...I don't mind looking like a fool cheering on my kid. Heck, I am used to looking like a fool....it's getting very natural for me. I remember doing track and field in HS and SUCKING at running. I just remember feeling my bum move TOO much and hated the feeling...jello on a platter....not cool. I stuck to discus, shot-put and javelin and rocked those....but running was NOT for me!
Much to her delight, Kamrin finished high enough to make it to Master Track (6 Christian Schools from the region compete at a Stadium in Toronto) in 2 events, but could only compete in one. Triple Jump....I could NEVER do triple jump...but as Darren is quick to say - she has his genes so of course she can! Triple Jump is a more refined sport....you don't want to make anyone lose their concentration over those crazy steps. I was a good mom today - I screamed for all the others racing, but kept my cool when my kid jumped. And jump she did - she placed 1st!!!!
I realize that cheering loudly may offend some and make others feel uncomfortable - trust me, I've seen some glare. Chillax I say!!! Cheering is my special way of letting people know I believe in them...wholeheartedly!!!! And I know when to turn it down too.....I think :)
Cheer hard and cheer alike, Marlea! And don't worry... there are many other moms on the sidelines that nuts every once in a while. Or every time.
ReplyDeleteMrs.Ward your awesome and we love your cheering or atleast I do and I know Kamrin Loves it!
ReplyDelete