Warrior Princess... she's like the wind

I've never attended a track meet in my life. I don't think I've ever even watched the track and field events on television when the Olympics is on. So, I had no idea what to expect when I attended a track meet yesterday to support Princess.

Princess, before coming to Alcatraz, was a cross country distance runner. Since being here, she played volleyball during cross country season to try something new. And this spring, she's running track. At the meet I went to, she ran the 1600m and the 800m. She also threw the discus.

There's lots happening at the meet, all at the same time. I decided rather than wondering around, I would just sit in the bleachers and watch everything I could see from there. Hence, I could see all the running events, the high jump, and the long jump.

I also want to say I didn't know what I a long jump or high jump was until today. The high jump is when the athlete jumps over a pole (think a much lower to the ground goal post) and lands on a giant inflatable pillow, on their backs. I asked the school secretary with whom I was sitting what event was " the kids jumping over the stick and landing on the giant pillow." after she stopped laughing, I was told it was the high jump.

Now the long jump is when the athletes run and then forward jump into a sand pit. I asked the same secretary what is was when the kids ran and jumped in the sandbox: hence, the long jump. I think it should be called the far jump since we're seeing how far the jumpers can... well, jump.

Anyway...

So Princess ran the 1600m, which is one mile (give or take) and is 4 laps around the track. She placed 2nd!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was so proud of her and screamed and yelled and jumped around. She fell down and threw up. Guess we all celebrate in different ways.

Then she threw the discus. I didn't know where that event was taking place so I missed seeing her do it, so I have no idea how that went. I do know when she did it last time she was last. She could barely lift the discus, let alone throw it any distance. She nor I have any idea why she's even competing in this event other than I think they need a certain number of kids to do the field stuff. And she can't lift the shot put thingy with one hand (barely with two) so she's on discus. (and because of our limit funding and facility, the only field events our students do are shot put, discus, and long jump). And none of our kids do the javelin. Wonder why....!

Right at the end of the meet she ran the 800m, which is two laps around the track. (I know another reason I might not like track- there's a lot of math in this sport). She placed 3rd. She was tired and drained but she put on a burst at the end and did great. I was proud of her! And she didn't even throw up that time!

There are a few more track meets at local schools where she'll compete and of course I'll go and support her. It was fun to watch her. She has good form and she LIKES to run. She likes the 'good pain' and 'finding your stride' and the 'good burn'. It's probably why she weigh about 100 lbs. dripping wet, and stands at 5'8".

Go Princess!
Maggie