Yesterday we went to the New York Road Runners Youth Jamboree held at the Amory (a huge indoor track in Washington Heights, about the size of a city block). The Youth Jamboree is a free track and field event open to all the kids in the city. It was insanely busy with thousands of kids and even more crazy parents. Since Isabella is a good little runner and her p.e. teacher encouraged her to attend we dedicated that morning to her and two races. She ran the 55 meter dash and the 200 meter dash. She competed with girls who were in Kindergarten and 1st grade (her division).
She started the morning with her 55 meter dash at 9am. It was the first time she ran a race like that so she was a little slow to start, but did great. We had a 2 hour break before her 200 meter race so Spencer (Brian's brother) coached and practiced with Isabella (all in fun and games) to help her do a little better on her next race.
With so many kids participating there was a lot of waiting involved, but when it was Isabella's turn she looked ready. We had to stay up in the bleachers and watch. Brian caught most of it on video, but I'm going to try and explain what happened.
A little background: Since there were so many events going on simultaneously different guns would go off and kids would often dash out at the wrong time because the gun was fired for a different race. This problem happened over and over again.
From my perspective: The kids were getting lined up, Isabella was put on the outside lane. An official was escorting two kids around, a gun went off. Isabella dashed out, the official (with the kids was right in front of her) stopped her. Isabella went back to the start. (We all assumed it was another false start.) But the other officials were yelling at her to run. And all the other kids were already 1/4 of the way down the track. (I couldn't believe it. I felt so angry and frustrated for her!) Isabella shot out like a firecracker. She ran so fast and hard! Half way through she was passing all the kids, one after another. It was amazing!!!
She almost placed 2nd or 3rd, but she wasn't sure how to get around the two girls in front of her, who were running shoulder to shoulder, so she slowed down. I couldn't believe how fast she was!
She almost placed 2nd or 3rd, but she wasn't sure how to get around the two girls in front of her, who were running shoulder to shoulder, so she slowed down. I couldn't believe how fast she was!
Part of me wanted to go yell at the officials, but I remembered to keep my cool and show Isabella how excited I was for her. She was so strong, so fast, so determined. I am so so proud of her!
And now, the video...
You can see her behind everyone and her speedy recovery. See the person on the track in black, on the far left of the screen, that's the official blocking Isabella. It's hard to see Isabella at the finish, since she's right behind the other girls...but enjoy. I think you can enlarge the video so you can see her better. And the photos below show the story as well.
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| At the ready for the 55 meter dash. |
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| Dashing 55 meters |
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| waiting |
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| Lined up for the 200 meter dash |
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| BUSTED! This shows it all! The other runners have already started; the official, and two kids, are walking right in front of Isabella. I'm saying, "What the $#%^@?!?!? |
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| Full speed ahead! |
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3/4 of the way there and passing everyone. She's stuck right behind those two girls! GO ISABELLA!!! |
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| Victory Cone! |
Yay Isabella! That's amazing! And I'm totally impressed you kept your cool and remembered to focus on her instead. It's hard to remember those things in the moment
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing! So awesome that you caught her great comeback on video.
ReplyDeletewow!!!! i was blown away by this!!!! that made me so proud and she isn't even my kid!!
ReplyDeleteNice work Isabella! And Kiasa! How frustrating and inspiring all at once.
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