Liberty Bell XC - Tonasket Jamboree for High School
Location: Tonasket High School, Tonasket, WA Date: 09.06.16
Distance: 2 mi (but gps said 2.2) Conditions: Sunny, warm (at times hot), hilly, hilly, hilly and some grass
Comments: Great first race of the season for the high school runners who had completed the requisite 8 practices before a Jamboree. We got familiar again with racing and had a chance to see many league regulars. We learned about running hills (a lot of them--up and down) and basically got those first race jitters out of the way. Coach Craig asked each athlete to focus on one thing of their choice in this race and it was awesome to see each athlete zero in on something they wanted to work on this season. Now that we've had a taste of racing, it's going to be even better to have more racers join us on Saturday in Ellensburg and hopefully take full teams to Idaho on the 17th. 46 runners on the roster is amazing and those starting lines will feel full of good friends!
Girls: Though we weren't out there at this first warm-up Jamboree to keep score, it's still note-able that we had a full 5 runner scoring team at the first Jamboree. Awesome considering just two years ago we did not field a full team ever during the season. There seemed to be a lot of nerves before the start of this one and in Ellensburg I'd like to see us work on finding the joy and laughter in this process. We've got everything we need -- just relax, work together, be a team, and find the joy. It will be good -- very very good.
Gretta - 15:00, 1st place
Wow! From the moment the gun went off, you looked strong, comfortable, and confident. You said you wanted to run the hills well and you certainly did. You had those elbows pumping and you just floated up each hill hungry for more. I know you said you were tired on that last hill and we'll make sure we do what we need to help you feel like you've still got a kick at the end, but wow, what a great first high school race. Hope you are feeling proud and enjoying it!
Athena - 15:50, 3rd place
Loved your approach to this race. You understand that this is week #1 of the journey and that each week we'll improve one thing until the whole package comes together. You are off to a terrific start and we have every confidence that your legs, lungs, and tenacity will take you just where you want to be in November. You showed great patience and your typical strong finish. It's all there.
Icel - 15:55, 4th place
Pleased to see you running so strong and fast in the middle part of the race. I know you wanted to go out a little harder than races last season and you did and held your position in the race really well. This is great news and means good things for the season ahead. When we do our next hill work out, let's work on sharpening those elbows and you'll be tearing it up at Leavenworth.
Ava - 16:27, 6th place
Excellent! You went out well and attacked that first set of hills with lots of poise, and then got right to work. What a terrific stretch from 1.25 to 1.75 miles. That takes grit and you've got it! You were focused and held tough in the hardest part of the race. I know you felt like that last hill ate a bit into your kick, but trust me, you've got speed and we'll make sure you're passing runners at the end when it counts. So great to see your hard work this summer paying off. You were ahead of all the Tonasket runners but Johnna -- nice!
Rivers - 16:33, 7th place
Congratulations on the first high school race -- and a gutsy one at that. I know you thought you were nearing the finish line there in the middle and that probably made the last three-quarters of a mile a little challenging, but you stuck to it. You had terrific form on the hills and I loved how you found moments throughout the race to surge. We'll work on those nerves and staying in the moment while racing. It's going to be such fun watching you improve each week!
Sage - 21:59, 18th place
So, so, so glad you are on this team! You are such an important runner and we all appreciate your energy, enthusiasm, and determination. You said you wanted to work on passing people - and you did. You ran the hills well (such nice elbows) and I enjoyed seeing a little of your 200 meter speed from track on that finish stretch. You're getting stronger every day and you will enjoy the speedy feeling of a flatter Ellensburg course. Just trust yourself -- you've working hard since 7th grade and you know what you are doing!
Boys: A great chance to see some of our league competition and our four runners definitely held their own. There's obviously been some running and cross-training going on this summer and you all showed a tough course that you are up for the challenge. I was glad to see each of you experiment a bit -- that's how we learn what works for each of you and that's just what these early races are for. I know you'll all enjoy having a few more teammates on the line with you on Saturday!
Cade - 13:38, 6th place
Pretty impressive to come off a 50 mile mountain bike race this weekend (and lots of time in a car) and hammer those hills like you did. You were strong and controlled on the ups and you ran the downs better than anyone I saw. I know you said your legs felt tired (as they should!) - but just imagine how fast you are going to feel when they are recovered. It's going to be a good season, Cade.
Peter - 14:22, 11th place
You did a very excellent job racing people. Every time I saw you, you were right with at least one or two runners. This means you did a good job managing your racing and that helps keep your head in it. You also held super tough at the end. With 400 to go you had a racer on your back and you held off their charge. That's tough on a course like this and such a good sign. At Ellensburg let's work on finding a few places where you can do some surges and change up the tempo - it might help the overall experience feel a little better.
Lazo - 14:25, 12th place
I hope you know this was some excellent racing, Lazo. You went out a little harder, I think, than last season and you proved you can handle it. You still had lots left in the latter half of the race. You did a terrific job moving up and I think we've only just seen the tip of the iceberg on your pace.
Emerson - 14:58, 17th place
You were ambitious with your start and that side stitch took its toll on the latter half. But, you gutted it out and on a new day you'll feel much better. We know you've got a super solid base and now that this first race is over you'll find your pace. I think some of the workouts in the next week or so and another trip to the starting line will help you find that racing zone that works best for you.
And, a big shout out to Carter, Tim, and Zach who came out to cheer on their teammates and run up and down and around a few big hills, too. Thanks for being so supportive.
