Days with the Dorans

We made it home from Chicago in time to see Joe run!! WLN came in third and Joe was 20th overall (top 18 got medals... grrrr..) So proud of him. I could seriously watch this kid run all day every day! I love it so much! HERE is a video from the day! Love that JD and Abby came down to cheer on their cuz- of course Nana and Papa were there to cheer him on as well! I think they love watching him ALMOST as much as I do! Next up.... REGIONALS!!

  Well~ Joey was NOT thrilled that the Varsity boys were running the morning after the homecoming football game at Northwood (not close). Dad and Papa came with us so he had a little cheering section.  I had hoped to get in 5 miles before Joe's race began but there was a crazy long line for the porta-potty and I had to pee like a racehorse so I only did four. I am glad I was able to get a run in and still get there in plenty of time before the start. Joe ran well and is consistently under 18 now. He finished in 17:52 though so close to 18. Out of 146 runners he was 51 and he wasn't happy with his time but hopefully that will fuel him. I can't even imagine running that fast.  I'm so proud of him! The only thing that makes me sad is knowing this will end and I'm not ready! Not so fun fact- Papa lost his key fob at this meet and we were running all over so no way to find it. Oddly enough, I lost my key at the Grizzly (Oakland University) Invitational but someone miracu...

  Joe's last first race of the season was a good one! He has felt a bit behind since he missed camp but if I know Joey he always finishes strong Their first meet is always at Oakland University and it's always a 4k.  He took 20 seconds off his PR there and the the team WON THE INVITATIONAL!!! It was very cool! Ali even came because it was her brother's last race. I think this may be the first meet she has ever been to! Nana and Papa came too and after the race the 6 of us went out to celebrate! This is all very bitter sweet to me. Pics from the day below and a video HERE .

Well~ we FINALLY got to have our XC Banquet for Joey but like everything this year, it was a bit different... It was in the auditorium and of course there was no eating. The catch-phrase "Every Child, Every Day" has become "Some kids, Some of the time" to some of us teachers... :-P I shouldn't be so jaded. I am thankful that they got to do this recognition. It has been a LONG time since Joey has been inside his high school and I was thankful for that (even though I'm still a little bitter that they wouldn't let him run Regionals- and that has historically been a PR for him). The seats were marked so that the boys could sit by each other- this is as close as it got. You can see that Joe and Brad got to sit next to each other but there had to be two seats between them. Later on stage though, they stood next to each other and got their awards. I was really proud of Joey! He made the top 50 All-Time fastest runners in the school history. His coach talked abo...

  I don't know what to say about Joey and his running but he's doing REALLY well! Like dropping serious time! He got to run in the all county meet and is sub 18 now! Just WOW!!!  HE EVEN QUALIFIED TO RUN REGIONALS!!!!!! We are soooooo proud of you, Joe! You. Are. Amazing.

 While I was doing soccer duty, Jeff did XC. Usually I'm the one who goes to the running stuff (well... because I'm a bit obsessed with the sport) but it made sense to send Dad since this meet was close to the Dorans! Grandma, Uncle Jim, and JD were all able to go out and cheer on Joey! The race was at Northwood in Midland and Joey came in 46th overall and had a new PR of 18:25. I was so excited for him and if I couldn't be there, I love that he had a big fan club cheering him on! Dad doesn't have the best phone and it died and I didn't get pictures right away so it was frustrating but I was actually able to look up times online which was cool. Great job, Joey! We're so proud of you!

 And just like that we're back to XC season! I can't begin to tell you how much I LOVE watching Joey run. I think I have a much greater appreciation for it now that I've started running. Joey ran in the reserve race and there were quite a bit of runners. Of course when we got there, he realized he didn't have his shoes! Before we left, I told him to grab his spikes and he said he had them. When we got there though, he had them but TWO DIFFERENT SHOES! He didn't seem to care and said, "Mom, I'll just run my trainers." Ugh! No you won't!!! Thankfully Nana and Papa hadn't left (and we had to be there early) so they stopped by our house to grab the shoes. They got there just in time. and he put on the shoes and headed to the start. This race is only a 4k so times are tough for me to compare. Joey tends to run better the further he goes which is strange- but true.  He did great though coming in 6th place overall and the team took f...

 Joey was home for all of a day and a half before he had to turn around and leave home for another camp- this one was a bit different though- He'd be in a tent, bringing quarters for showers, and running sand dunes! A friend offered Joe a spot in his tent but Joey wanted his own so we practiced setting up this tent. In that duffle I managed to get in toiletries, sleeping bag, air mattress, clothes, running gear, two towels, fan, light and portable charger for a phone, pillow and I'm sure something else- Let's just say, I can pack! It was kind of easy since all we had to do with the toiletries was refill the shampoo from last week's camp! Joey wanted to bring his guitar so I said, "Well- you better ask your coach!" He actually did and coach told him to bring it! He doesn't have a travel case for it so tried stuffing it in his electric guitar case- It worked... sort of. Joey left without even looking back or saying goodbye to me. His trip was ...