FUMA Middle School Meet

This past Saturday, our middle schoolers were able to take a three mile tour of the Fork Union area along with several others schools (including Collegiate, Thomas Dale, etc). As a result of the size of our school and our team, many of these middle schoolers have been competing against upper high school athletes. This was their chance to run against runners their own age, and they performance exceeded expectations. There has been a bit of controversy which I am still trying to run down concerning the length of the course. The course is officially listed as 3 miles. However, both the course map and the layout of the course suggest that it may have been a 5ooom (our standard distance, equivalent to 3.1 miles). Despite this confusion, our runners were outstanding.
To be completely honest, many of our girls struggled with this course. They had an abbreviated warm up and never got to see the entirety of the course. It is a difficult thing to explain to them that they can demonstrate their improvement even in the midst of a bad race. For example Kari ran a 30:57 less than one month ago at Lee Davis. She may have struggled through the FUMA course, but she struggled to a 28:56. This is just shy of 2min over her best, but still a strong indication of her improved experience and fitness. Lexi was able to break 30min for the first time and Jenna and Kelly’s time bested our varsity number two runner’s time from Lee Davis. Girls, that is impressive.
Our guys had the advantage of a better preparation period. Tripp Fitch cruised to a 22:31 (converts to a 23:22 if this was a true 3mile course) placing him just seconds off the varsity best. Josh Carter ran himself to another PR effort with a 22:25 in the 9th grade race. The biggest (pleasant) surprise of the day was Nicholas Kantopanous’ 23:10. Had he run this at Lee Davis with the varsity, he would have been our fastest finisher.
The bottom line to all of this is that we are seeing tremendous improvement over the past couple weeks (you’re welcome for the Fartleks). When we are able to run a full pre season training cycle, we will be able to compete against any private school in our area (and most other areas as well). This is why I love to coach.

Maymont

This past week was the three ring circus of Maymont. This was my first time there as a coach and the team's first time at a spectacle of this magnitude. While the showdown at high noon was at McQuiad (National #2 Fayetteville Manlius and #3 Burnt Hills), some of the nations best talent came to circle the park. The men's and women's invitational race was amazing. Somewhat less amazing was the men's and women's private school championship. My former team LCA (from last year) would have taken first easily. We can be competitive in this division within a year or two.
It was great to have the Elementary kids and parents run Friday evening. My only regret is not being able to run in it myself, though it might have saved me a bit of embarassment. Victor was outstanding in his fourth place finish.
Saturday our varsity had the chance to see all the big guns run. I was a bit worried that they might wear themselves out in the craziness of it all, but I was pleasantly surprised. The girls seemed a bit tired and definitely challenged by the course, but I saw them dig down in a way that I have not seen yet (and I have video to prove it). The guys rose to the occasion. While only one person set a PR (Josh Carter: 24 and change), we did much better against a Banner team whom we had lost to 5 days prior (our top three bested their number three). If we can get some more tough, high intensity workouts in over the next three weeks, I think we have a shot at Sub 21 for some. Not a bad start.

Practice, Practice, Practice

We had more opportunity for practice than I had anticipated. For the first time in 15 years fo coaching I had a meet canceled on me. It is a shame because the day was perfect for running--cloudy, mid 60's and a bit of a drizzle about. We redeemed the time though with tempo repeats. I am sure every runner appreciated the change. These are the man maker workouts, with apologies to Moe, Karl, and Rocky and Lexi. When we can apply ourselves with this type of heart and passion, good things always happen.

First Meet: Lee Davis

This is the first entry of a new season. In fact it is the first entry in a schools xc career. We debuted the first generation of Veritas runners at Pole Green Park in 90+ degree temperatures. I was very pleased to see how each of our runners persevered in extreme conditions. The stress of the unknown coupled with the infernal conditions posed a formidible obstacle to anyone, much less a new runner.
What especially impressed me were our runner's attitudes. This was a humbling beginning for most. It highlighted the fact that, as a program, we have a lot of work to do. Yet, I did not hear any grumbling, complaining or nay-saying. Hopefully, now we will begin to understand the importance of attacking every pratice as preparation for our meets. Hannah especially had reason to complain. Without a strong summer base or any experience with running she tackled the course. In addition, she was misdirected, running a total of 5500meters today. While she was not complaining, nor was she of the mind to rejoice. I look forward to the end of the season when she will see significant improvement...the time for rejoicing is later apparently.
We have an off day and a recovery day before heading out to Richmond Christian Tuesday. Hopefully we will be aided by not only the experience gained today, but by cooler temps as well :)