Speaking of exercise, today is the beginning of the running events at the Penn Relays, so campus is crowded with track teams from around the area and country. Past and future Olympians will be participating–it’s a big deal around these parts, appropriately. It’s been a long time since my high school track days, but I always enjoyed spring track meets, especially as we moved into late April, early May when the weather was warm and we got to leave school early to get to the meets on time.
I joined the track team on a whim in ninth grade. My sport had been field hockey, which I began playing in fourth grade and continued through the end of high school. Track, on the other hand, was not something I had ever considered. At my high school, anyone could join the team. A friend of mine was a jumper and thought I might want to give it a whirl. I remember the first practice with all the stretches and calisthenics, and then the decision time came. We had to decide that day which events we were interested in, so I figured since I didn’t like to run at all, I should try something like jumping or throwing. I ended up spending four years as a discus thrower (with some javelin and shot put on the side). I made it to districts a few times, but my high point was probably sophomore year when I was chosen as “Most Improved” for the team. A far cry from the success of the Penn Relays participants. Fond memories, though–the long bus rides (we sometimes competed with teams over 90 minutes away), the fun at McDonalds on the way home (who thought fast food was a good thing for athletes to eat?), the excitement of contributing points to the team’s efforts, and the cheering for the final events especially if our winning meant the difference in the meet.
And hey, all the throwing practice helped you keep jerky guys at bay. Just grab their drink and chuck it across the room.
Either you lost a lot of weight, or you were one skinny shot put thrower.
Any girl I knew who did that was of a rather large size. Granted we are talking Midwestern farm girls here. 
My fondest track/McD’s memory was my freshman year at the big meet where I wasn’t running and thus I challenged myself to see how much I could eat. 2 Big Macs, 2 large fries, a 20 piece chicken McNugget, and 2 large drinks to wash it all down. This is when I weighed around 140 pounds. I didn’t get sick either. Rumblings yes, sickness no.
i was fairly small as shot putters go, that’s for sure. weight is important, but my coach always told us that technique was more important. and technique is what has stood the test of time, and allowed me to toss drinks at will.
i think i threw up a little just reading that list of food, matt! although, as people who have seen me eat know, i can put away a fair bit of food.
It would be imprudent for me to comment on your gastronomic feats, ma’am.
Hey Christiana. Sorry to use your comments for this, but I couldn’t find your email address. I was putting together a list of Tenth bloggers and was wondering if you knew of any of whom I was unaware (see list at the top of my blogroll)? If so, email me at garvers1[at]yahoo[dot]com Thanks!
as people who have seen me eat know, i can put away a fair bit of food.
Hmmm…I couldn’t ever tell, since I was usually comparing you to the bottomless pits that are your brothers.
lara, it’s true i am overshadowed by mike and jon in that respect. they (especially mike) can eat me under the table, but for a girl, i do pretty well. it’s the fitzpatrick way, you know.