​The Blue Angels

In elementary school, Nic would ask me to drop him off at school early so he could run laps around the playground area.   The school kept track of how many laps the kids ran.  I can't find Nic's 5th grade totals, but I found his 4th grade totals (shown below).   

At the middle school, there is no running club, so he decided to join the neighborhood cross country track club.  He practice for several weeks and today was his first meet.  It was the first meet for all of us...we had no idea what to expect.

He was so nervous.  There was a slight upward slope and he was terrified of getting cramps.   Coach kept telling him to have fun and see what his time is so they know what to work on.  Nic told me he was not able to relax.....nervous energy.  I had it too.

His age group (11-12 years old) had to run 4 laps (1.2 miles).  

During the second lap, he looked at me and I could tell he wanted to give up.  I yelled all sorts of encouragement at him....to find the strength to not quit.

He finished in 10:08 minutes.  He was so disappointed in himself, holding back tears.  All I could do was hug him and told him how proud I was of him for not giving up.

The next meet is in 2 week.  Goal is to beat 10:08.  Go Nic Go!!

​

Tough battle....down by 2.....tied at half-time....fought back to win it 4-2!  Nail biting stuff, like watching a Chargers game, but actually winning!

(back row)  Coach Alex, Jacob, Bogdan, Gabriel, Martin, Adam
​(front row)  Nic, Norbeto, Matt, Jio

2 middle schoolers in the house!!

Nic today (11 years old):

Nic in the future (14 years old??)

I found this picture in a catalog.....thought he looked like Nic!  Then noticed that I have the same Mexican blanket, so I asked Nic to re-enact the photo.  

Backstroke = FIRST PLACE!!!  (this is the first time ever placing first - woo-hoo!!)

Breaststroke = SECOND PLACE

FreeStyle = SECOND PLACE

Paula on the right....tight race (Free Style)