Did Somebody Say "Competition"?

As it turns out, I was born into a highly competitive family.

Today my brother Porter was over. He sat down and we were all chatting for a bit and somehow the conversation turned to getting new shoes when we were growing up.

As a kid Porter's MO was to pick shoes according to the "traction" pattern on the bottom of the shoe. Then when we would get home he would say,

"The traction on my shoes is awesome! I'll be so fast in these shoes. I can totally beat you in a race."

So as soon as we would get home we would put on our new shoes and race...back and forth and back and forth on my parents front lawn. I didn't care that he was a boy, bigger and older than me. I was certain I could beat him.

We were laughing about this and then I said, "As I recall you usually won, but I think I beat you a few times."

I might as well have kicked Porter in the face. In his mind there was absolutely no way I have ever beaten him and in fact, he could still beat me.

"Really? You think you could still beat me?"

"Yes." he said confidently. "In a sprint. At least 50 yards...probably even 100 yards."

"You think you could beat me the length of a football field?"

"Absolutely." he says.

"It's on...let's go right now."

So we gathered up all the kids (my 3 and his 2) and threw them in the car. Unfortunately Morgan was like this....
But it was time for her to wake up anyway. (well, at least really close).

So over to the Powell Jr. High football field we went. Neither one of us was properly attired for such an event...but why would that stop us? We were both wearing flip-flops so we knew it had to be a barefoot race.

He stretched.

I stretched.

Porter even called my dad to let him know and my dad wasn't about to miss it. He was our official judge. He said, "I don't know who to put my money on." Shane was our photographer.

Here we are at the starting line. If you look closely you can see us mentally gearing up here.

Here we are at 50 yards...the race was half over. Can you tell who is ahead?

Unfortunately Shane missed the picture of us at the finish line because we were moving like lightning. He happened to snap a hideously close-up picture of my face which will not be posted here. (have you ever seen your face while running hard and laughing at the same time...not a good look for me).

...The results? I'm sad to say that Porter actually did beat me by a couple feet. It was a very close race. So I insisted on a rematch--50 yards. I won that one, but only because Porter was near death from our first race.

I find joy in knowing that even though I lost our first race (just barely, did I mention that?) I was ship-shape about 1 minute after the race. Porter, on the other hand, sent me this text about 45 minutes after the race:

Nearly vomited on drive home. Once home, nearly vomited more than the first close call. Promtly had the runs upon entering home. Still fighting urge to spew. Will never eat small dish of ice cream and vanilla oreos prior to any race ever again.

All things considered, I think I proved my point. :)


P.S. My running shoes have really great traction. I'm sure if I'd been wearing them I TOTALLY would have won.