Nash Elementary Turkey Trot

Friday, Josh's school held its annual Turkey Trot. The race length varies by grade: the pre-K and kindergarten students run 600 ft or so; 1st and 2nd grade run a half-mile; 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade run a mile. This year they also added a parents' race (1 mile), which I had planned to run, but instead I sat with the class so Josh's teacher could run the race. The students were very proud of her! Here is Ms. Mitchell's second grade class:



It was a beautiful day for the races. Here are the 1st and 2nd graders lining up for the start of their heat. Josh made sure to get a prime position.



It was an out-and-back course, so we got to cheer the kids on as they left, and then we had to wait until we saw them crest the hill again on their return (there were volunteers and police all along the course to make sure everyone was safe and made the turn). I was pleasantly surprised to see Josh returning all alone in 1st place (with a parent helper running alongside him):



Winner!

He was very proud of himself. In fact, he had been full of nervous energy all day, even though this race is just for fun. The first thing he said when he woke up Friday morning was, "I'm so nervous about my race." He kept saying his tummy hurt on the way to school. He was doing push-ups and jumping jacks during the other races as an outlet for all of his nervous energy. I'm going to have to work with him on managing his anxiety and the pressure to perform (a feeling I know well).

Post-race downtime:

And last but definitely not least, the medal ceremony! With my proud son earning his first-place medal. (If you use your imagination, you can almost hear the national anthem playing.)

Congratulations Josh!

Next up, the Jingle Bell Jog on December 10!