Running Man

On Tuesday Tom went to Sedbergh School in Casterton for their invitational cross country (basically a private school thing, where they invite some 'token' primary schools as well (I think because they have to as they have charity status and have to show some outreach into the local community - pretty much all they do!)

U11s boys race

We were a little confused why Tom was chosen as he has never been chosen to do cross country before, it is always the same people: Lucas, Finn and Lexi, but this time Tom was asked as well?  He was excited, we were confused, even more so when we got the letter detailing what kind of running spikes he should wear (as if - obviously a cut and paste from the private school letter!)  Luckily we have friends who do lots of fell running and one of them has the same size feet as Tom, so he got to borrow her shoes for the race which he was delighted about.

He got the coach from school and we met them all there.  There were loads of schools taking part.  All looking very smart in their PE uniform: special running vests, leggings etc.  You could tell the state schools - they were the ones in uniform didn't quite fit (it is a case of one size fits all!).

The area of the race was proper cross country - huge muddy puddles, bridges, chicken run (with chickens) and long, very long, much longer than any race Tom has ever been in before.  Apparently Tom had got very nervous and upset at school prior to getting the coach.  Luckily his friends looked after him and on arriving in Casterton, he lost his nervousness and got excited.

Mid-race

It was all done properly - so there was a proper walk around the course so the kids knew what they were letting themselves in for.  Then it was the under 9s race in which years 3 and 4 competed, our guys (and they were all boys) did pretty well - all finishing in the upper to middle ranks.

Then it was the under 11s girls race where our one girl, Lexi competed.  We were rushing around to cheer her on, but she disappeared?!  Turns out one of her trainers came off in the mud, she went back to get it and lost her other trainer!  She found one, but couldn't find the other and got quite upset (they were brand new)!  The race ended for her, she was devastated - she's a great runner too!

Tom's race was next and I was nervous for him.  I can remember being in a cross country race at St Crispin's and I came second to last in the whole school which was very humiliating, I have only just now attempted to run again - and only because of health reasons!

Anyway, a huge crowd of boys ran up a hill past us, I saw all the Ingleton School pupils, (they were easy to spot being bright red) except Tom.  I thought the worse, but Matt gave me the thumbs up - I had missed him!

We ran to another spot to cheer him on and he was doing really well, he had a look of focus and determination about him - something we don't see very often.  Wow!  Poor Finn was carrying a trainer - one of his had come off, he had fished it out and was running with it - luckily he saw Kate and threw it at her.  He then completed the rest of the race with one shoe on and one shoe off - what a trooper!

Near the finish

We spent the rest of the race running from viewing spot to viewing spot and each time I shouted until I was hoarse, not just at Tom but all other Ingleton pupils (oh forgot to mention, this was an under 11s race so Tom was one of the youngest!)  Each time I saw Tom he was still running and still looking determined.  He got through to the finishing straight and continued, red in the face running up the hill to the finish, he even overtook someone in the straight.  It was 2.5km long, which is a decent distance and is the longest he has ever run in his life!

We were so so so proud of him.  He was behind Lucas and Finn, but in front of Ellis and Zac who are in Year 6, so he really did do well.  He certainly didn't disgrace himself and everyone was very happy for him. Mrs Barry said how much she was impressed by him.

I asked him if he walked at all, he said no, and that even though he wanted to stop and walk he kept saying to himself no, keep running, keep running.  Considering he was up against children that probably do cross country as part of their weekly sports he did extremely well, we couldn't have been more prouder of him.

Being a private school, he then got to enjoy their facilities: he got a cup of homemade soup to warm up with and then hot dogs "with proper sausages mummy" once in the hall.  We then headed home via Booths where he got to choose his tea.

What a star!