Stumble it!
May 27, 2008
He Shall Overcome
When you’re a mother, seeing a child overcome his fear is like winning the Super Bowl of parenting.
Drew leaves for camp soon, and the first item on the agenda once he arrives is the swim test. The test wigged him out last year, to the point that he almost didn’t want to go to camp this year. We hoped his fear was treatable, and Drew has been taking swimming lessons from Bill’s tri coach. They’ve made an enormous difference, so much so that when Bill floated the idea of the twins participating in last Saturday’s triathlon, Drew chose to handle the swim and the run, while Porter handled the biking leg of the relay. I nearly passed out when Bill informed me of this, and pictured myself escorting sobbing boys back to the minivan shortly after they’d arrived at the race site. It all seemed like a recipe for horror to me.
Saturday morning both Drew and Porter were having second thoughts about the event, but Finn, ever the scornful older brother, told them to quit freaking out; a 200 yard swim, eight mile bike and two mile run were no biggie, and if they ever hoped to be cool in any sense of the word they better quit their bitching and focus on the race.
Although there were children participating, the organizers stuck strictly to the rules and didn’t let non-participating parents into the transition area to aid their kids in getting set up. Fortunately for us, Finn was competing on his own and helped Drew and Porter get body-marked, organize their equipment, and locate the tent where relay teams trade their timing chips during transitions.
Bill had barely a moment to talk strategy with the boys
before it was time for all the swimmers to head to the pool.
Drew had a little come-apart, but we found a race volunteer to assume the role of mama bear and get him to the pool.
The scene at the pool was overwhelming. There were almost 300 swimmers lined up around the pool according to number. The boys had high numbers and were near the end of the line.
Finn and Drew are actually in this picture under the yellow flag in the foreground, but are impossible to see, as they were dwarfed by most of the other competitors. 
Watching and waiting made Drew extremely nervous. Finn had a talk with him and whatever he said, Drew seemed to be okay after that.
“If you don’t shape up and swim like a man, I’m going to give you a wedgie every day for the rest of your life.”
In fact, by the time they made it around to the far side of the pool, Drew was ordering the other competitors around, even the burly ones who could have eaten him as an appetizer.
“Excuse me sir, but when you get in the pool, please keep to the right in case I need to pass you with my powerful breast/free combo stroke. These toothpick legs contain herculean muscles and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Drew didn’t win any style points for his entry into the water
but Bill and I almost cried at this point. We were so relieved to see him get in the water without balking that he could have stopped after three strokes and we’d have considered it a victory.
But he didn’t. He was slow and steady, and swam 200 yards
and exited the pool
like he’d done this a thousand times before. There must have been water in my eye– I’m not one to cry at sporting events.
Up to this point Bill and I had been hanging out on the pool deck watching the boys swim. Now we had to get moving. Bill went to the bottom of the hill to wait for Porter. He planned to bike along with him, as the bike route went along some mighty busy streets. Finn had the experience to negotiate the traffic, but we wanted Porter to be chaperoned.
My duties were two-fold: to coach the transitions and to take photographs of each child going out and coming in. This required me to run back and forth across the parking lot from the transition area to the road multiple times. It was quite a workout for a lady who doesn’t run unless being chased by someone brandishing a weapon.
After the swim Drew entered the transition area, took the chip from his ankle and gave it to Porter, who attached it and headed out on the bike.
Meanwhile, Drew changed for the run.
Eight miles later Porter biked back in
and put up his helmet and bike in the transition area and then took off for the relay tent.
Their transition was all business.
And Drew was off on the run.
He may be small, but his feet looked ginormous.
Big feet run in our family. I’m 5′4″ but wear a size nine shoe. My mom taught me to say, “They may be big, but they sure do hold me up.”
Drew’s big feet held him up well and kept him at a steady pace.
I tried to take a picture of the boys together at the finish but they made all sorts of dreadful faces unsuitable for publication.
After the race is over, it’s traditional for triathletes to complain about all the minor aspects of the race that prevented them from having a faster time. Finn was pissed because he’d gotten blocked by a moving van on a busy street and lost at least fifteen seconds. Porter claimed to be suffering from hideous butt cramps that had slowed him down on the bike. His cramps, he said, were due to the fact that his biking shorts are too small, and he announced that he needs a bigger pair with “very cushy padding.”
Only Drew was silent, and as I looked in the rear view mirror I saw him fondling his medal and smiling to himself. It made me smile, too.
*****************
One year ago in My Tiny Kingdom: Preparing For The Enemy
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May 27th, 2008 at 1:47 pm, Erin Says:
You must be so proud. I can’t imagine what such an event must be like. I’m glad the boys did what they set out to do. Pretty cool of Finn to step up and help his little brother too.
May 27th, 2008 at 1:48 pm, alala Says:
Aww. You must be so proud. I’m so proud, and he’s not even my kid.
alala’s last blog post..on location
May 27th, 2008 at 1:55 pm, Anne Turner Says:
What a triumph for Drew to overcome his fear like this! Makes me cry. Well done, mom and dad.
May 27th, 2008 at 1:56 pm, Anne Turner Says:
And all involved!
May 27th, 2008 at 2:12 pm, Busy Mom Says:
OK, that made me cry.
Congrats to all!
Busy Mom’s last blog post..Summer’s here, I’m for that
May 27th, 2008 at 2:51 pm, Loth Says:
I had a little sniffle reading this. Okay, a big one. I can’t imagine how proud I would be if my offspring managed this. I got a little insight when number 2 son ran his first organised race alone, and I recognise the secret smile and medal stroking too!
May 27th, 2008 at 3:18 pm, Katrina Says:
Hurray for Drew! I was vicariously feeling your pride as a Mom; that camp swimming test should be easy peasy after that!
Katrina’s last blog post..Shots
May 27th, 2008 at 3:25 pm, Jenny Says:
That’s awesome. I’d be smiling too if I were you. You have a great bunch of guys to be proud of!!
Jenny’s last blog post..Funny Boys
May 27th, 2008 at 3:41 pm, Headless Mom Says:
Way to go! To all of the boys-that is a huge accomplishment!
Headless Mom’s last blog post..Just Curious- The End-of-School-Edition
May 27th, 2008 at 3:50 pm, shokufeh Says:
I must have water in my eye, too. I’m so proud of, and impressed by, all your boys.
May 27th, 2008 at 11:02 pm, Liz Says:
I am completely and totally verklempt. You have some great guys there. And Drew grew about two inches between the morning and the evening.
Liz’s last blog post..Random Bullets of Whirlwind Trip to NYC
May 27th, 2008 at 11:56 pm, Mishka Says:
That is so cool…what a hurdle he managed to get past and what a great experience for your whole family.
Mishka’s last blog post..Checking It Off
May 28th, 2008 at 7:22 am, Amanda Says:
This was so fun to read! Congrats to the boys for finishing!! You must be SO pround.
Amanda’s last blog post..Misunderstanding
May 28th, 2008 at 8:11 am, Sandra Says:
Wow, that made my eyes water! (I wasn’t crying, really!!) It’s the pride we take in our kids accomplishments - I would happily give up accomplishing anything else in my life to live through my son’s doings.
Sandra’s last blog post..yeah well, maybe not…
May 28th, 2008 at 8:34 am, Kelly Says:
This post should win an award. Very heartwarming and high with the “awwwww” factor.
May 28th, 2008 at 10:11 am, Haley Says:
How wonderful! And how nice to find out I’m not the only person who’s 5′4″ and wears a size 9! I think *that’s* what made me tear up the most….
May 28th, 2008 at 10:32 am, Emily R Says:
That was just beautiful and inspiring. Thanks. My boy is currently afraid of the vacuum. But he’s only 13 months.
Emily R’s last blog post..Best Birthday Ever, episode I
May 28th, 2008 at 12:58 pm, Lauren Says:
That’s awesome! Glad they had fun.
Lauren’s last blog post..On Music
May 28th, 2008 at 1:12 pm, CourtneyRyan369 Says:
Great job to all!
And its totally cool that Finn stepped up…more or less no matter what he said!
Have to say, I must be a little hormonal cause I’m not a crier but I def teared up reading this. Awesome!
CourtneyRyan369’s last blog post..sweetness
May 28th, 2008 at 2:34 pm, Kaye Says:
I know you are simply beaming with pride–and it shows through your post. Congrats to the boys! Also…yes, his feet do look ginormous. =)
Kaye’s last blog post..Kroger Gives Me Gas (for Cheaper)
May 28th, 2008 at 9:14 pm, Laura Says:
:::whimper:::
:::Sob:::
What a great mama you are, to have boys who feel like they can take on this kind of challenge.
:::Sniffle:::
Laura’s last blog post..The World’s Shortest Memorial Day Parade
May 29th, 2008 at 7:22 am, Brooke Says:
Anne,
What a great post. Good for your boys!
May 29th, 2008 at 11:39 am, Kim Everett Says:
Anne,
I’ve been following your blog for about 2 months now, and am never disappointed with the wonderful stories you have to tell. I especially enjoyed this post!
Finn seems like pretty nice big brother to have in times of crisis! Congrats to Drew for his bravery in swimming with the “Big” guys. Oh, and Porter always rocks! You gotta love anyone with his creativity. It seems like your family always has fun together.
Take care and keep the stories coming!
May 29th, 2008 at 8:29 pm, Charlie on the PA Tpk Says:
You and yours are among the most creative (and athletic) folks I know.
More power to you!
Charlie on the PA Tpk’s last blog post..Harvey Korman
May 29th, 2008 at 8:37 pm, Linda Says:
That was beautiful and I’m not too proud to admit that I’m sniffling.
Linda’s last blog post..You May Not Be Able To Tell . . .
November 5th, 2008 at 11:56 am, Athletic Alley Blog Carnival November 5, 2008 | Athletic Alley Says:
[...] presents He Shall Overcome posted at My Tiny Kingdom, saying, “The smallest member of an athletic family faces his first [...]