Gotta Grind to Shine

Today was the official start of the high school sports season with practices for all the fall activities. That meant our new cross country runner had two -- yes, two -- practices today at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For us working parents, it's a scheduling nightmare for transportation at such odd times. But, calling favors from 4 different people,  I managed to get rides arranged for Carter for 7 of the practices this week. Tomorrow is the only day I'll have to work from home to do the driving. Not too bad.

So how did Day One go?

Here's a clue... When Carter called me after the first practice, I didn't even get to ask him how it went before he said, "Mom, what can I take for pain?"

Oh boy.

He actually did have a little pain in his knee but I think after awhile, all the other soreness distracted him from that pain.

Both practices went something like this: Run for 30 minutes or so, then it was alternating 100-yard jogs, strides and sprints... and repeating... and repeating. Even though he was in football last year, Carter learned today that 100 yards is pretty far!

After the first practice, he said he thought he was going to die. But after the second one, he was a little more determined. "You gotta grind to shine," he said, quoting one of the seniors on the team. Good motto. Something akin to "No pain, no gain"...

But why mention the pain if you don't have to?