Middle school track.
First period: PE. I remember meandering down to the dusty gravelly track on a hot late summer morning with the rest of the unfortunate 7th graders for the "mile test." My PE teacher had tan hairy legs that emerged from the shortest of polyester shorts. He carried a stopwatch. His sunglasses were mounted securely. The goal was to run that mile as fast as possible. My electric teal eyeliner was already beginning to run as I stood there assessing the track. I did not love this test. In fact, I thought it sucked royally. I didn't want to run the mile as fast as I could, because it was hard. And it was hot. And it made me feel like I would throw up.
It took me years to love running. Always if somebody asked to "go running" memories of this dusty track and stubby tan PE teacher legs would cause me to shake my head. I said I didn't like running.
That is why it is so amazing and I'll admit, impressive, that Peyton enjoys track. Today was the first meet. I stood on the edge of this track, nearly 30 years from when I stood on the edge of my middle school's track. And I was so happy and proud that my girl sees running as a pleasure.
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