I spent a decade of my life as a track and field athlete and then a couple years coaching. I will forever be a track and field junkie. Today I was reminded of the reality of spring track and field in North Dakota. Yesterday it was sunny and 70 degrees with a slight breeze. Today it was 43 degrees when we arrived at Hunter’s 5th grade track meet and 40 degrees when we left. And windy. And raining. I brought Miss E’s snow suit out of retirement for the event. Regardless Hunter was all smiles in the cold, wind and rain. At breakfast this morning he said “Mom are you going to run on the inside of the track and yell at me?” Ahh he knows me well. It is cheering I do, not yelling. I said “Hunter you have no control of your mother at a track meet.” But of course I remained calm, didn’t embarrass the boy (or family members) and loved being a true North Dakota track mom in the cold, wind and rain.
What a trooper! She actually loved watching the kids but she was home with my mom after about an hour of being a true North Dakota track fan. E’s excitement came as she looked out the window from our house following the Relay for Life balloon release at the school. Hunter’s teacher is a recent breast cancer survivor. The class raised money for Relay For Life by taking donations, writing names in honor or memory of loved ones on the balloons and released them today. The cold temperatures did not take away all the helium balloons and about fifteen ended up bouncing their way from the school toward our house. My mom went out in the rain to retrieve one for Elissa. 
Hunter started off the morning taking off his sweats and hat. By early afternoon you can see the kids and spectators were wearing everything they could. (I love the kid in jeans!)
The track meet was cut short…and will be finished next week on a sunny afternoon. Regardless, it was classic North Dakota track today.
Hunter—what great form!!!