A Goal Realized

Back in September, we asked each person in the family to list their goals for the 2009-2010 school year.  Cholita's list included things like: making friends, riding my bike, and being nice.  Bruder's goals were a bit more ambitious.  In the athletic arena, he hoped to run a mile in under 5 minutes.  Now, we knew this was possible, but he was going to have to improve significantly to make it happen.  Like really significantly.

Yesterday in the meet against Port Angeles and North Mason, there were a few guys on Bruder's team within striking distance of a sub-five mile and so two of their strongest runners hung back and paced them during the race.  Either one of them could have easily won, but instead they slowed down, frequently checked their watches, and spurred some of the younger runners onto P.R.'s.  The results weren't immediately available, but we knew it had to be close.  Just this morning I checked the website and the times are in.  Bruder ran a mile in 4 minutes and 59.30 seconds.  I got teary-eyed.

And as if that wasn't enough, less than an hour after finishing the mile, he also got a P.R. in the half mile--2 minutes and 13 seconds.  Lyle, sitting in the stands, watched him and said, "I can't beat him anymore."  There was pride in his voice, but definitely sadness too.  Or maybe nostalgia is a better word.  Sunrise, Sunset.  We're so proud.