States Week

What does this week mean? Does it define our season? If we perform well, have we achieved everything we had hoped for? I don't think so. The work, the perseverance, the ins and outs of practicing every day is the point to this sport. Having a good race or even a great race is a reward. We all desire those rewards. They are important. They do not define us, however.

On that note, I want to make it perfectly clear that we will do our best BECAUSE we are/will be ready for States. Our preparation has made our potential endless. We will achieve because of the process of getting ready for the end result. And that is doing our best. And probably reaching beyond our limits. I believe this.

Heading to States

Well, here we go again, as I say this with a smile. We are off to Hershey. Three have qualified. Nate with his second District X championship in a row, along with Hunter. Danielle for the Girls. A great day transpired. It is always a wonderful and a sad day on this day. I always hope for so much more because so many deserve it. I have been so blessed with wonderful young adults. I take this day with a grain of salt and smile and think about what could have been. That's the beauty of competition. Morgan and Tanner and Alexis all ran well. Others set personal bests today. It is a blessing to witness. And our two seniors' seasons ended today, and that is always something I think on for a long while.

My faith in our program and the love I feel for the runners, and the fortune I have always had to have the best coaches with me makes me very proud and extremely blessed. I do feel as if this is all about our family--the SHS XC team. It's not over yet. We still have work to do. And we will. And we will do well. I believe that. I believe.

Districts

I'm not sure how many of you will see this before tomorrow, but for those of you who do, nothing is set in stone for who is going to states, anything can happen tomorrow at districts as long as you show up ready to preform and ready to do your best, don't take running for granted cause it really sucks to not run and you don't realixe it until you can't run. so tomorrow run your hardest and leace it all on the course. As long as you do that no matter what the out come is, be proud of yourself, at the end of the race the only person you need to please is yourself.

As Districts approaches much weighs on my mind. Are we ready? Have we over-prepared? Have we done all we could to be the best on that one day? The answers to these questions are hidden in the depths of the spirits, the hearts, the souls, and the bodies of our cross country runners. I do not know the answers. Only each runner, as he or she places that foot on the white starting line, can answer that. It is inevitable that some will fail to achieve what they most desire on that given day. It is just as inevitable that some will succeed where they only saw a distant possibility. Success is measured by one test and one test only--did you do your best, beyond a reasonable doubt, and leave it all on the field?

Some will make it to States. Others will not. Regardless, we will compete at the level we are most ready to reach. Today, on this one day, we have the chance to create a moment in time. We can become that which will make us proud. We can run for those who cannot because of injury. We can run for our team. But most, we run for ourselves to make us into something that is greater than what we are when we step to the line.

Step to the line and run . . . then run faster. Just Believe!

Readying For Districts

Our team is readying itself for the upcoming post season. Our Region 3 Invitational is this Saturday and our District X Championships is the following Saturday. Our time is now. We are peaking at the right time; many of our runners are coming off personal best times in the last two races. We are ready to finish strong and show our true personality. We are a team. We are a family. We will succeed. Success is measured by perseverance, faith, and a firm commitment to reach beyond the possible. We are ready. Just Believe!

Cross Country

So far this season I have ran 438.99miles.

Peak Week

This week our runners are putting in more miles than any week since August camp weeks. They will earn the right to be faster. Or not. It is not about the miles or necessarily the fast (or slow) times they push their bodies to reach. It is about the mental preparation it takes to commit to something more than what we've ever reached. It's about confidence and desire and trust. Each runner who works beyond what he/she thinks he/she is capable of doing will accomplish goals that last week were unreachable.

Our boys varsity team has the potential of going undefeated for the third consecutive season and, once again, win the Region 3 championship. Our girls team is capable of finishing on a strong note if they continue to improve. They are currently 4-2 with one tri-meet remaining. The boys are 6-0 and have won 26 Region meets in a row. Our Junior High boys team is improving.

Overall, at this most important juncture in our season, we will either become a true team or we will not. If we believe, anything is possible. Just believe!