A Record of Sorts

My mum rang recently to tell me about a long-standing school cross-country record that had been broken in my home town. I was interested, because if she was ringing to tell me, it was likely one of my peers’ records. I was therefore a little thrown when she said it was 23 years old – because that would be more like my Dad’s era… right?

As Mum was setting the scene I did some rapid calculations on that ‘23’ and was startled (and alarmed) to find it was NOT my Dad’s era at all – but mine! How did I age so fast?!?! (I really am NOT that old – it just sounds like it.)

At the same time my mind was running away, trying to imagine whose record it was. I was more than a little impressed. Twenty-three years is a long time for a record to stand.

And so I was caught unawares when Mum read the excerpt from the paper naming the long-time record holder…. naming me.

Yes… ME!

I who would have loved to break a record… used to wish and dream I broke a record… never knowingly broke a record…that same me… broke a record! And then held that record for the next 23 years. (That still sounds like an awfully long time.) And not for one moment of those years did I know that I held the Yr 9 Girl’s Cross-Country record at the Gayndah High School.

But the day that I find out I have a record to my name… it isn’t even mine to claim! I’ve been written out of the record books. (I think that’s kind of funny – for a writer.)

At the time I was caught between conflicting emotions – though I did give an instantaneous yelp and screech of excitement, just for a moment transported back 23 years to that High School Self…

I want to tell everyone… It’s so amazing/exciting.

Eeek! 23 years… What sort of admission of age is THAT!… Shhhh… Don’t tell anyone.

But 23 years… What a time to hold a record for… ME!

But it isn’t the record anymore …

But it was… and I held it… and it is still exciting…

Hmmm... Pick the tallest girl in the school.

As you can see, excitement won out. I’m still amazed – and a little bit sad to have never known. But mostly I’m laughing, because I love it. And it is a thrill.