So Proud of My Runners

I believe, with one-hundred-percent certainty, that the true Fountain of Youth is found in working with children everyday.  After fourteen years in education, and seventeen years of motherhood, I am beyond qualified to make that conclusion, and I felt it like sunshine this morning as I directed our school's first 5K Road Race.

A few weeks ago, our third, fourth, and fifth graders were treated to a presentation by my coach, Rick Muhr, and the presentation focused on the idea of gifts, and the fact that each of us has gifts that we can use to make the world a better place.  Naturally, the topic turned to running, a gift Rick has used to help tens of thousands, and he shared with the children his accomplishments and advice, and even raced a much of them in the gym after the presentation.  The energy from that presentation absolutely fueled the motivation of many of our students to run our first annual 5K and translated into one of the most heartwarming mornings I've ever experienced.

The weather was perfect, which is always important to the adults, though I'm sure the kids would have had a blast in snow, ice, or rain.  As the runners started to trickle in to get their numbers, I could sense that this was going to be more than just a race.  Though at first it was killing me to not be running the race myself, I began to take a step back and really take in what was coming together.  Pairs of kids and parents, pinning sequential numbers to their shirts, stretching out and warming up, wearing smiles that could light a room.  It was no coincidence that many of the older kids were sporting sweatshirts that exactly matched their running shoes, and couldn't help but laugh to myself.

Stepping away from the crowd, getting ready to lead the runners to the start, I was in awe of the spirited group that had gathered and the togetherness you couldn't help but feel.  With a nod to the timing coordinator, I announced that it was time to line up on the start, and the group, lead by the children, followed me toward the street.  Their energy could have moved mountains, and I literally had to hold them at bay to give some directions.  Lined up together, smiling, many of them ready to run their first 5K, I held back tears.  Kindergarteners through fifth graders, MY kids, about to run, and it occurred to me in that very moment that I had done this.  I've shared my running journey with them along the way, even shared my coach with them.  I've let them see the passion I have for running, and here they stood before me, ready to run.

I set them free with a, "Ready, Set, Go!", and they were off down the road.  I can honestly say it was gut-wrenching, waiting for them to start to appear down the access road to take their final turn toward the finish.  I was pacing, jogging up and down the road a bit, and right around minute 26 they started to emerge from the wooded road.  I knew Adam would be first, and I joined him down the driveway to the finish, so proud of his effort.  I went back to that corner countless times and ran more kids than I can count to the finish line, cherishing every single step.  Charlie, Julia, Sierra, every one of these kids completely unaware of how very inspiring they were.

The best part, by far, was watching the kids after they finished.  Though they had a full pancake breakfast waiting for them inside, most of them remained outside and lined the driveway, cheering at the top of their lungs for their friends as they approached the finish.  Not only were they runners, they defined strength of character, and I could not have been more proud to be a part of this school and call these children my students.

High-fiving, cheering, and running to the finish line with them, I felt like a kid myself, a feeling that I guarantee will last for quite some time.  I can't wait to carry some of the spirit of Dawson with me through the streets of Providence in 3 weeks, perfect fuel for the soul.