Virginia Beach Meet and Travel

 Travel meet without mom, done and done! 

The numbers are 1st on Floor 9.175, 2nd on Vault 8.850, 

10th on Bars 7.450, and 7th on Beam 8.850, 8th in the AA

One fox sighting and another really bad experience on American Airlines involving delays (1.5 hr sitting on the tarmac then being turned back to the gate!), someone forgot to add engine oil.  Their connecting plane, bird parts needing to be washed off.  Add to the list 2 captains with big over-sharing problems.  Not a fan of American Airlines. Beach paid for but had to leave her food behind between the 2 flights out there.  On the flights back no one got dinner.  The team ran from one delayed plane only to sit again on another delayed plane. 

 

This was sent to me by one of my friends.  

 And even though it was a first-place routine (that's 5 for 5) I heard something from the head coach I have never heard before.  The team holds a stats meeting following each Meet.  In stats last night Big Coach D told Beach she was robbed.  We aren't the kind of gym that challenges scores or gets all held up on 10th so that was a big statement coming from him.

 I am so proud of all the girls <3 

There isn't much more I can say.  Huge thanks to the team moms who took care of them while they were away.  And another one to the moms who took care of me during the meet. I love us.

 Until we meet again!

See you in Lodi, California

Beam

psychology studies

Love, Mom

As I get ready to send Beach off with her team this week to compete in Virginia I am looking for the magic words to send with her.

I have the To Do Lists.  I have the Numbers.  But what do you say to a 15-year-old as she leaves to compete without you?

Did you pack a good jacket?  It's going to be cold.  Remember your grips. Try not to wrinkle your comp leo too much. And for god sakes please wear your contacts at the airport- remember the time you didn't?!

We both know the drill.  The suitcase, the ziplock bag of travel size bottles, spending money, airport snacks, an envelope of notes from mom; one to be read before bed, one whenever, and one to be read before the Meet.

What hasn't already been said between us?

Dear Daughter,

A few weeks ago I looked out over the gym at you and your team on beam.  And I finally saw it, for the first time ever.  I saw and I believed. They are trained and they are capable of doing this.

The morning before your last meet I slipped into your hotel bed and lay beside you.  I wrapped my arms around you.  I whispered, I believe in you.  You are strong and you are well trained and you are so capable.  Capable of handling whatever comes your way today.

I am a mom.  I have been that way for a very long time.  I worry a lot.  Did you pack enough socks?  Did you remember to bring good supportive shoes?  Have you eaten well? Are you hydrated? Are you bored?

Dear Daughter, Good night, sleep well, I hope you are having fun in Virginia.

Dear Daughter, Hope you are having fun with your team. Don't forget to take a few photos for me.

Dear Daughter,  Turns out I am the harshest judge you have ever encountered.  I have watched you work hard for years.  I have seen the routines, the skills, the scores but only now do I truly believe in you.  I believe you will be okay without me.  I believe in your strength and your courage. I believe in your kindness and your leadership.  I believe in you.   

On the morning of your Meet you will open a letter from me and there will be nothing inside it because everything you need is already inside of you.

Dear Daughter, Call me when your plane lands and I will there to meet you on the other side. Love, Mom

now reading: Then She Was Gone

the travel part of a travel meet

the things not judged

Beauty lies in the things not judge.  

The moments we forget to see or at least we forget to remember. 

 Beach had an amazing meet but as I go back through the pics and videos I am finding the things the judges missed.  The values listed beyond the reach of the book of codes.

The victories scores and medals can't note. Like the distance between a hard vault warm up landing to...

landing the 1st place vault (9.5) in competition.

And the Not-Our-Coach cheering just as loud as our team for Beach.

Some of it does matter to the judges but not in the way it matters to me; like her power.

Clips of warm-ups that don't make the final edits

There are no extra points for being the one who competes on beam while the rest of team moves on to warm-up floor AND sticking your series after 2 straight meets of falling on it.

All the hours that came before and the ones after left unseen.

No bonus for coming back to the venue to support your mates when you are tired and sore.

Or having a 35 minute wait between your 3rd and 4th events.  Having it be the event you struggle the most on.  Final rotation after all the other teams are done and all the other girls, parents, and coaches are watching. 4th place bars 8.8 (level 9 personal best)

And they don't add points to your score for taking the hardest fall you have ever taken during your bar routine but still cheering on your team. 

There are so many beautiful moments here.  

Some you would expect and some you thought you would never see.

Teammates fighting their way back- all the way up to the top.

But the most beautiful of the beautiful came later when my daughter said to me, 

"That was a good meet, mom.  That was really fun..."

I wasn't sure I would hear those words again.

Woven into the things not judged were the smiles and the tears.

  

1st place floor 9.6

 1st place in the All Around 36.875 and first to fall asleep on the way home.

What a beautiful path she has chosen.

3rd place beam 8.950