Track meet fun!

Well, I have been formally introduced to Junior High track meets this week. Wow! I've been so excited to go watch a real track meet, not the elementary school kind with 3-legged races and softball throws, but the actual athletic contests of jumping and racing. Finally, this week, I got to experience it all firsthand. And, man, what an experience that was!

I'm not sure if I can choose my favorite part of the meet or not? It's really a toss-up. It was either the biting cold temperatures freezing the skin on the tip of my nose and chin, making me look like I ran my face into a steaming hot iron, OR the bitter icy wind blowing into my eardrums until they pounded and ached. Those two parts of the meet were definitely on the top of my favorite's list!

I don't know though, resembling the Michelin Man dressed in all my snow gear was pretty fun too, especially in April. I'd already washed up all the winter gear and packed it away, but it's always nice to yank that all back out again and dirty up. I mean, who doesn't love Alaska weather in a Nebraska spring? You could just see all the joy on the spectators and participants faces!

I could tell no one wanted it to end, including me! Five hours of hanging outside in a wide open area with wind chills below freezing is just like a day at the beach. Okay, so a little different, but once you pile on six or seven blankets, two stocking caps, and three pairs of gloves; you're body stays right above hypothermia, so no worries! Add an 8-ounce hot chocolate once every 2 or 3 hours and you're good! Now I will admit sitting on the metal bleachers wasn't the coziest when that metal formed icicles but I didn't mind standing in place for 3 hours. Either one was just dandy for me!

I know my daughter's favorite part was wearing a tiny, sheer pair of running shorts and a satin tank top to compete in 28-degree weather. Although she mostly wore her sweatshirt and sweatpants, she really looked forward to shedding those warm layers and cooling off! When it came down to it, she couldn't decide if the outfit was her favorite or if it was racing into a strong north wind that froze all the glands in her throat and chilled her skin so much that she appeared opaque when she ran past me.

I know she has fair skin, but I didn't know her skin could get so beautifully transparent. Add the blue lips and watering eyes, and she was quite magnificent looking.

It truly was quite an experience and I just can't wait for the next one! Track in Nebraska in the spring is simply indescribable! When else would I get the rare opportunity to enjoy the brisk outdoors, with horizontal north winds, for hours on end and with minimal food?! Not that I don't enjoy the indoor sports that last an hour and a half, are in warm buildings and have hot popcorn and nachos. Those are fun too, but in no way compare to track meets.

THAT is where the real fun is!