A good turn of speed

Last week I mentioned that Mr H had placed 8th in his school cross-country run for the 10 year old boys (he is only 2 months past his 10th birthday), and that he was glad he hadn't been higher placed as he didn't want to run in the "Intercity".

Well it turns out that it is actually the Inner City Schools Cross-country, and they chose 8 boys and he agreed to go when I showed my pleasure for him and said I would come to watch. I was able to organise with the others in the service to take just over an hour out and I got to Grey Lynn Park with 5 minutes to spare before his race started.

After a quick hug hello, he went over to join the others at the start. He obeyed his coach (Granny S) who advised "Just run comfortably (but not last), until near the end when if you feel okay you can show "a good turn of speed"."

Here is Mr H showing just that as he came down the hill for the second and last time. Not only was he not last, he was not last of the Newton Primary boys. He feels good about himself, and when I rang him tonight to say I was proud of the way he ran, and fought the stitch, he told me that the friend he was with when I said goodbye and left to go back to work, said after I left that "He's a kind man".

I was surprised by the comment in the context and absolutely overwhelmed that when he was being congratulated, and praised, he responded with telling me something good in return. A really lovely lad. Who is pleased with himself for dealing to another demon.