Ammon - our running inspiration!

Ammon qualified for varsity at his first cross country meet this week! This was his goal for the year, so to make it on the first attempt was amazing. He will run his first varsity race tonight! I am so proud of him. He started running cross country out of nowhere the summer before his Freshman year. The bishop of our ward mentioned that kids today don't get enough exercise and encouraged Ammon to start doing something. Ammon chose to run. He had ZERO experience. The first few practices were like torture. His form was completely off (he is still working on this one, but is SOOO much better!) and he had never really run more than a mile at once before. Suddenly running 5+ miles every day (some days it is more like 8-10) at practice almost killed him. It was a good lesson for me as a mom, though, because I would have been perfectly happy for him to quit. I really just didn't think it would be his thing. He was finishing very close to last in almost all his races. He stuck to it, though, always giving his all.  It is not uncommon to see Ammon throwing up after his races. He didn't worry about being behind everyone - his goals were always to beat his own individual times. He has done that a lot! I believe his personal PR is almost six minutes faster today than when he first started racing. His coaches took note of his dedication and determination. After this last race, his coach came up to Joe and told him how impressed he is with Ammon - that he is always willing to do whatever it takes. To qualify for varsity, you have to be one of the first seven (I think it is seven...) Kuna runners to cross the finish line. He was sixth. Of course, there is a down side of running on the varisty squad (besides the extra miles at practice). He will probably, once again, be at the back of the pack during races rather than the front of the junior varsity guys. He is okay with that. I am just so proud of him for sticking with something he enjoys. He has taught me such a lesson about doing hard things and I love him for it!

It was very hot and dusty at this first meet (in August!)

There were large hills and this stream the kids had to run through (FOUR times!)