Cross Country Woes

ASid has never been interested in most kinds of sports and athletic endeavours. However, on occasion, he has been known to join the Cross Country teams at his respective schools.

The first time was at his Junior High School. He was in Grade 8. It didn't make any sense to me. It wasn't peer pressure; maybe it was what they call "peer pleasure"?! Hanging out with your friends not because they are pressuring you, but because you want to!!

I still remember waking up Craigley to drive the boy to school in the wee hours of the morning for Cross Country practice. Craigley would always grumble, "Why can't he practice by starting the run from home?" It made sense, but it was too early in the day and I didn't want ASid to be the only one on the streets. So, Craigley would drive him and drop him at school that was 15 minutes of a walk from our home.

Fast forward to Grade 12 and now…

ASid informed me a couple of weeks ago that he joined the Cross Country team at his High School. Seriously, what was the boy thinking?! He was late to school 4 out of 8 school days at that point in time. How was he going to get to practice on time?! High School is an hour away from home and involves walking as well as the TTC (a bus, a short subway ride and a bus). No way was Craigley going to indulge the boy with drop offs!!

To his credit, ASid made all the necessary arrangements. Obviously, I was recruited to wake him up earlier than usual and he had his friend and friend's mom pick him up. The commitment was for 2 days a week over 4 or 5 weeks.

Day 1, the friend had to ring our bell.

Day 2, I had ASid waiting on the street for his friend and mom.

Day 3, ASid decided he was too sick to go; sent friend a text; friend rang our bell a few minutes later. (Definitely one of the 2 moms was mad!)

Day 4, ASid was officially sick!

Day 5, the friend had to ring our door bell again!

Day 6, the friend sent a text stating a preference to study for the Math test scheduled for period 1 over Cross Country practice!

That is where we are now. Week 3, Day 6! The drama of it all!!

And last night, ASid declared that he might drop Physics this semester and pursue it in night school (if necessary) next semester!! (Is that a silent scream I hear in mine own ears?!)

Given that, the Cross Country woes seem like nothing! Nothing at all!!