Since the kids choose which events they want to compete in at each track meet (up to four, not including the relay), they are able to try different events and distances, or stick with what they enjoy and try to improve their performance from one meet to the next. However, there just aren't that many options for the younger kids. The 200m dash is the longest run the kids Riley's age can compete in, and the hurdles are out for anyone younger than 11, for obvious reasons.
For the second meet Riley dropped the baseball throw and ran the 200m dash instead. (It honestly isn't that much of a "dash" for kids that small.) There were more kids at this meet, which meant more down time between races. Well, it could have been down time, but Riley could not sit still for more than a couple of minutes at a time. Despite of lots of encouragement from her parents to rest and take it easy, she kept jumping up and racing around the grassy area where we were hanging out between her events.
In spite of the hot weather that day, we had a blast watching her run. I have no idea if her times improved (we should be getting that info from the coach soon), but she placed right in the middle again in each of her races. Her enthusiasm hasn't waned, and I hope she continues to love running, regardless of whether or not she wins.
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