Run, Run Reindeer

Today was our annual Reindeer Run at school.

As all of the kids have had colds this week,

running fast and strong today wasn't quite going to happen.

After watching Rebekah and the other 7th graders race,

Jalen Andrew decided to get into the action as well,

and proceeded to run, and run, and run.

I swear he did about 5 laps before I finally had to drag him

off the field so that the 6th graders could run.

Joseph came in with the front pack of 4th grade runners,

but his talent is in sprinting, not so much long distance running -

his poor asthmatic lungs just can't take that long distance business.

Maybe James is a better sprinter too, because he started out

in the top 5, held it there for awhile, and then crossed the finish line as the caboose.

All the first graders received a little medal,

which he proudly showed me, announcing that he made 6th place.

(Wink. Smile. Okay.)

I noticed today, as he stood next to all the other 1st graders,

just how much shorter he really is; the top of his head came to the shoulders

of the shortest person in the group.

We'll keep feeding him and watering him though, and see what happens!

After each race we watched, Jalen Andrew would take to the field

and start running again. He ran and ran and ran.

For the younger grades, Coach Latting commentated for the runners,

to help keep their morale up. After 1st grade ran,

Jalen Andrew again took to the field, this time he started at the start line,

and completed the same course (about a 1/4 mile) that the bigger kids had just run.

We didn't tape the whole run, but if you listen you can hear Coach Latting

commentating for Jalen Andrew, and then watch at the end

as he blows past those who are trying to put a "medal" around his neck.

He didn't do it for the glory - he did it simply for the "run" of it.

And after it was all said and done, he finally tuckered out.

Good job running everyone! And way to be good sports!