The Hershey Track Meet

After two postponements and the threat of a third and final cancellation, Ethan was finally able to compete in his school's Hershey Track Meet.  It was quite the day. Quite the experience.  In short, it was bedlam consisting of all the 3rd and 4th graders from two local schools converging on the track of one high school.

It made me antsy.

However, Ethan had a great time, competing in three events.  Two of these events he even knew he was competing in.  Although Ethan did not advance in any of the events, he enjoyed the experience tremendously and is happy he participated.  He actually came close to advancing in the 50 meter.  They take the top two in each heat and Ethan came in third.  What slowed him down?  He kept looking at the competitor closest next to him in order to see where this kid was in relation to him.

Regardless of coming in third, or the unexpected event he competed in without preparation, the only disappointment of the day came in the realization that Ethan would not be given a Hershey chocolate bar as he had assumed.   I heard about it all the way home.

Even without the chocolate bar, when asked if he would compete again next year, Ethan said, "Oh totally.  Now that I know what I'm doing I can actually plan to do better."  Good strategy.