Amongst the boring everyday moments and the fights to get the homework done, there are moments that make you very proud as parents:
Like when Ben came home and said he has the lead part in the school play to be performed next year ... not bad for the only English boy in his theatre group.
And when Tom came home and announced he would be singing a solo in the same production.
Yesterday we had another proud parent moment. It was a Bank Holiday in France and time for the large annual cross country event at Montilly-sur-Noireau. Athletes from all over the region and of all ages come to take part in a range of cycling, running, horse and even canine events. Last year Tom ran the 1.8kms for the first time and came ....well shall we say we had to wait a while after the winners for him to arrive and only a few followed him into the finish. He did say that without spiked shoes he was slipping but admitted he was somewhat our of his league.
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| At the start this year - Tom's in there somewhere |
This year it was all a bit different and he came about 20th out of some 60 runners and was a completely different athlete. His sprint at the end was fantastic and he left the girl he was next to way behind.
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| Tom's sprint finish |
Tom - you did brilliantly and at this rate of improvement you'll be in the top 5 next year! We are very proud of you.
Proud or not, I do have to admit that the stars of the day may well have been one man and his dog. After Tom's event came the Cani-Cross which is cross country running with your dog. Put a special harness on your dog, attach him to your waist, teach him to understand the commands right and left (or droite and gauche if you are France) then run 5 times round the course without getting dragged through the mud, distracted by the sausage and baguette stall or wrapped around a post. This is cani-cross and the man below and his rather gorgeous dog were the stand out masters of this sport having already overtaken some of their opponents on lap 1. Man and dog in perfect harmony. They were a joy to watch and neither man nor beast looked even slightly puffed! Great running and great fun to watch.
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| Cani-Cross |
What a lovely post.
ReplyDeleteVery well done to Tom!
You many want to link this with our Loud 'n' Proud linky. It's open from tomorrow (Thursday) and is hosted this week by Mama Owl.
Thank you, Sarah - I may link up if I have time!
DeleteI bet that was a very proud moment indeed. He's definitely got a great running technique from that picture. This looks like it was a great day out full of activity. I've never seen Cani-cross before, definitely looks intriguing. Thanks for linking up with Country Kids.
ReplyDeleteThank you, he does run well but he didn't get that talent from me! Not sure if Cani-cross is as big in the UK but it seems popular here. There were loads of competitors and their dogs.
DeleteWow such an amazing achievement! Congratulations to Tom on this win! And goodluck for his future marathons. #countrykids
ReplyDeleteHe certainly wants to do the Paris marathon one day.
Deletewell done to your boy, he looks like he loves running, as for the man and dog thing, a little strange and different!
ReplyDeleteHe really does enjoy running and was so pleased to have done much better this year - proof that training pays off!
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