Glory Days

After the Halloween party I had with my students, there was a party at Nick's house (new PCV). I dressed up as a Chinese Muslim selling BBQ (they are everywhere), Lindsey was a chicken foot (a snack eaten by all the Chinese), Amanda was a cat, Nick had a ripped shirt strewn with red marker, and Gregory constructed a mask out of tinfoil. I'm just pretty sure that my Mom is happy I didn't dress up like a woman again.

The next weekend we had planned on traveling to Liijang, a town I have already been to twice, but it's a great little weekend getaway and the new volunteers in town had yet to go there. But, it just so happened that my school's sports meeting was on the same weekend.

All across China, every school, middle schools and high schools alike have a sports meeting that usually takes place in the fall, over a long weekend. The sports meeting is basically a school wide track meet in which anyone can participate if they sign up. This is what I love and hate about the sports meeting. I do enjoy watching track meets, and it's great to sit back and watch some of the events. That last 100 meters of the 400, or the precision of a hand off during the 4X100 are two of my favorites. Yet, the 11th heat of 5 girls all wearing jeans and awkwardly tripping over hurdles gets a little tiring. Why the hurdles girls? Did you know what they were? Oh, and then there's the dramatic dive through the finish into the open arms of a friend and subsequent passing out after jogging 200 meters. But, all of this does add to the allure of the sports meeting.

So, we had to postpone our Lijiang trip so I could defend my 100M dash title from the previous year, and watch kids in loafers and jeans trip over hurdles. I was running on the second day. I had signed up for the 100, 4X100, and 10X80. There was an open 400...but I didn't feel like embarrassing myself. When the day of the race came I was a little anxious. I wasn't as nervous as last year because I knew what to expect, but I still had some butterflies. I warmed up for awhile but never really felt as loose or ready as I wanted. When it was our turn, I made my way over to the 4th lane, got down when I heard the starter yell something in Chinese, and started moving when I heard the gun. I had a really bad start, it felt like I was 50. But, about half-way down the track I had caught two people and was going for the guy in first when we ran out of meters. Well, second's not so bad. After that race, there was the 4X100, which I was really pumped up for. I felt awesome, just like I was back in Manley Field house or at some big invitational. I was the anchor and the guy who had beaten me in the 100 was as well. Our team started off great and I watched every leg before me hold our lead. I received the baton in first with a 10 meter head start and never heard anyone. I wished the other teams were a little closer, but it felt good to really kick ass. The last event was the 10X80, a truly strange race. There are poles on both ends of the grandstand straight away and five team members at each side. When the race starts, people run back and forth to deliver the baton to the next person. The whole time you never know who's in first because there are so many damn people, but it's pretty hysterical to watch. Our team also won this race after holding the lead the whole time. It helps that my department at the school is somehow affiliated with the Physical Education department.

Overall, it was a great weekend. It sure made me miss my track days, but Lindsey and I trading race stories as we timed splits and running a few races, helped bring it all back. I can remember rolling my eyes when Dad used to talk about St. Agnes and how Charlie and him would go into the city every day after school to play street ball, or the way that his team was ranked nationally and how some of his buddies went on to play pro in Europe or coach at the college level. I just never thought I'd be bringing up my stories already. Glory Days! Baa Baa Baaaa Baa!