I’m writing this still feeling a bit on a high from the weekend.
My Roarsome sport children went on tour this week to the Uttoxeter Festival of Running, where I was leading the warm up for the junior race. Seeing so many of our children there in their yellow t-shirts felt pretty special, and if I’m honest, a bit surreal. It felt like we were part of something bigger than just our sessions, properly part of the wider Uttoxeter community.
There was such a good atmosphere throughout the day. A mix of excitement and nerves, parents getting involved, children spotting each other, everyone just kind of in it together.
My daughter ran the junior race as well. We’d never actually been out running together properly, no practice runs or anything structured. I just assumed she’d be fine because she’s active and always on the go, and to be fair, she started really well, setting off confidently right in the middle of it all.
But then it got hard.
She got tired, slowed down, and ended up on her own. Her dad was behind her with our youngest on his shoulders, and I was waiting at the finish. I definitely had a moment where I thought I probably should have done things differently, maybe prepared her a bit more or run it with her so she didn’t feel quite so on her own when it got tough.
But then something happened that completely changed it.
One of our Roarsome girls spotted her, ran over, took her hand, and ran the rest of the race with her. They kept each other going all the way to the finish, both absolutely beaming by the time they crossed the line.
That was the moment that really stayed with me.
Not how fast they ran or where they finished, but the way they showed up for each other. That instinct to help, the confidence to step in, and the way they supported each other without being asked doesn’t just happen by accident.
It comes from giving children space to mix, to build relationships, and to grow in confidence around each other. Having different ages and abilities together plays a big part in that, and it’s something I see in sessions, but seeing it play out like that in a real moment just felt different.
I’m so proud of every single one of the children who took part, and the parents as well. They were running alongside them, encouraging them, carrying siblings, doing whatever was needed to get them round.
It wasn’t just about the race, it was about being part of something. Trying something new, finding it hard, and getting through it. Seeing what effort looks like, feeling that atmosphere, and crossing a finish line knowing you’ve done it.
These are the moments that build confidence.
It’s also a really good reminder of why I care so much about giving children lots of different experiences, rather than pushing them into one thing too early or focusing on performance. Just letting them try, explore, and be part of it.
Because sometimes it’s not the activity itself that matters most, it’s what happens around it.
And I don’t think I’ll forget that moment for a while 💛