Liberty Bell XC - Manson Invitational
Location: Mill Bay Casino, Manson, WA
Date: 9.24.16
Distance: 1.4mi (minus the first hill!) or 2.8mi Conditions: Cool and amazingly after the rain!
A hilly trail with ups and downs and more ups! Both the girls and boys teams ran with a ton of tenacity and great form on the hills. Unfortunately, the race organizers have not yet given us any race results for junior high -- so no times, places, or team results yet to share. When we have them we will add them here!
JUNIOR HIGH GIRLS -- Another great team effort and a lot more fun with others to race and some solid competition from Cashmere, Wenatchee, and Icicle River. A tough course for sure, but the effort that you all made today in crushing those “ups” and flying the “downs” is admirable and commendable for sure. Two more weeks of fine tuning and gathering speed. We can’t wait for you to run your best races of the year at the home meet (with many fans) on October 22nd!
Liv -- Hard charging up the first hill and great focus throughout on bridging that gap to Cashmere. Today, like last year, she kept that distance but your confidence in pursuit never lagged and you maintained a nearly similar separation from just before the mile all the way to the finish.
Jori -- Locked in and looking ahead! Your purpose and drive were clear from the start, and your form was efficient and strong on both the long hill in the middle and the charge to the finish. An AWESOME birthday race for sure and be sure to check out the final hill photo on the blog - fierce!
Keeley -- Another good aggressive start and great to see you and Jori working together up those hills. A little dehydration or illness in the mix this weekend, but you held it together really well for as long as possible. Your early race approach is proving itself right on track, and in the next two races at home you’ll be in prime end-of-season form and ready to roll in that final 800m. Keep thinking about how much you love those final set of “Palm Driveway Hills” and charge to the finish!
Lindsay -- A strong race throughout, and your surge over the last little bit of the long uphill was noticeable for sure. We could see you embracing the hurt for sure — and you were focused and intent in that downhill into the final climb. You did sneak a little look over your shoulder so try to keep that temptation at bay for the final stretch. Two more races and a little taper ahead should have you ready for your best times of the year and some great preparation for a new 1 mile PR on the track to end the season!
Eva -- Smooth is the word of the day, and it was evident again on the hills at Leavenworth! I did not see the arms spread out on a downhill, but I did see a strong even pace with a good kick in the final bit of the hill. Don’t be shy about getting our even a little faster. You are stronger than you think and are ready to challenge that first half of the race just a bit quicker.
Stephanie -- Curious to know if you came up with any mid-race puns :) but you looked strong and composed on the uphill climb in the middle and steady and strong on the final kick. Not quite so smiley in the middle this week, but that is a good thing! Love how you are learning to make the discomfort fun and your racing continues to improve every week.
Anja -- The hills are tough, but you worked well with Lena and Payten on the long quiet climb in the woods. Two more races ahead with a little more rolling and flat terrain ahead will suit your strengths and be very much to your liking. A long downhill and flat kick to the finish will be your focus for Oroville on Friday!
Stephanie -- Curious to know if you came up with any mid-race puns :) but you looked strong and composed on the uphill climb in the middle and steady and strong on the final kick. Not quite so smiley in the middle this week, but that is a good thing! Love how you are learning to make the discomfort fun and your racing continues to improve every week.
Anja -- The hills are tough, but you worked well with Lena and Payten on the long quiet climb in the woods. Two more races ahead with a little more rolling and flat terrain ahead will suit your strengths and be very much to your liking. A long downhill and flat kick to the finish will be your focus for Oroville on Friday!
Payten -- Great strong arms and such good from in climbing up the long hill in the woods. Absolutely the most lively and tall - on top of your form - that you have looked all year and it carried through to the downhill and all the way up to the finish in that 3rd part of the race. We can’t wait to see you stretch it out even a little more on the flatter and rolling terrain in the next two weeks, but you are really hitting stride at the right time in the season — plus, you have new kittens! ** JUNIOR HIGH ATHLETE OF THE WEEK! **
Elka -- Good to have you back after a few days under the weather and you ran great in the hills after all of the rain and excitement last weekend. Such a good job of pacing AND getting faster on the downhills. A few more short hills but more flat and speedy downs in the race this Friday in Oroville. With lots of good competition again you’ll be right on track for your best races yet to end the season!
Stella -- Strong pacing throughout and good tall form on the uphill climbs! In your first race since Manson it was great to see you under control early and still running strong on the final uphill finish. Cooler weather ahead and even more of a taper and fine tuning for speed. You’ll be strong and feeling even quicker + more rested for the final two races of the year.
Lena -- DNF A hard fought early half and a good reminder to keep that inhaler handy before the race. We’re glad that you’re OK and that you made a good decision to step away from the course when the opportunity presented itself. Recover well through the week and you’ll be ready to give it a go again in Oroville.
JUNIOR HIGH BOYS -- It sure looked like you all won that race as a team. Excellent running across the board with the work and effort etched on your faces as you came up that last big hill. Each of you had someone to race and race you did! You are definitely figuring out what it means to race and how to plan your racing strategies.
Bode -- Excellent job out there--we could tell you were keeping those messages in your head positive! You powered up the hills and ran a great race, looking strong the whole way. We know you wanted to catch the runner in first--and you will! Each week you look a little more confident -- keep believing.
Travis -- You definitely gave everything you had out there on this one. We sure appreciate your willingness to hurt and lay it on the line. Great job mentally staying with it and still fighting when your body got tired. It is inspiring to watch you push yourself!
Dusty -- Awesome final hill. You had such a look of determination on your face at the base of it! You did a great job getting out in the race well and holding your pace in the middle and then - wow - you literally kicked it into a high gear there at the end. You probably would have beaten anyone in that race up that hill!
Ian -- You looked right at home in the hills, taking quick steps on the little rolling hills and powering up them and you did a great job keeping Dusty in your sights up that last final hill. You looked smooth today and like you were able to find a rhythm amidst the ups and downs. That's not so easy to do.
Andrew -- Great effort out there. You kept contact with runners around you and, like you said you wanted to in your pre-race plan, you passed people. Next week, let's try to have you go out just a little bit harder and see if you can find yourself even further up in the pack. You've got excellent tenacity and you can hold an earlier faster pace.
Zane - We see the way you take each race seriously and we appreciate your commitment to the team and improving your own performance. We know that you didn't feel like this week was your best, but be sure to keep some perspective. That was a tough course, unlike any we've seen, and you were giving 100% out there. Next year, you'll know what to expect on that course and we can already predict a massive time improvement.
David - Your pre-race plan mentioned adrenalin and it had to be flowing out there as you tackled that last hill. Your running form looked really good coming up the last hill-- you were leaning into it and using your arms well.
Aidan -- Good for you for catching the runner in the striped shirt. He had some distance on you early in the race, but you stayed patient and you made a huge, strong move on that last uphill. Your form was excellent on the hills -- you were leaning into them, pumping your arms and driving your knees high.
Eli -- You did a great job getting out fast and in contact with a good group of runners to inspire you throughout the race. You were so focused on all of the uphills that we saw you on--you were the definition of determined. We know that race hurt but you handled it so capably and you still had a great kick at the end up the final hill.
HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS -- Stunning effort and results! Any time you win a meet by 1 point, you are reminded that cross-country running is a team sport and a close win means EVERYONE played a role. With 217 finishers, we basically had all 7 of our runners in the top third of the race. That's depth, and it means you can cover for each other — so when one of you is feeling off, then you know you've got teammates there to carry on. That will change from week-to-week and that's the beauty of a team! The field this year was super fast overall--and each of you who ran it last year PR'd big time this year. You are a fast team and you are getting faster. And, you can compete with the BIG teams -- that should feel fun! (Just for some context, you beat Selah -- who last year with the same group of girls, finished 3rd in the 2A school division at state and who this year had more than 3 times as many girls as we did in this race!). We continue to be proud of each of you for the way you prepare yourselves for racing and for the way you maintain a humble joy for what you do out there. (Just a note: your overall mile paces will be slow on this course compared to others because, obviously of the hills!) Finally -- a shout out to Sage for cheering on the team and being right there with you all, even though she was feeling under the weather -- it will be good to have her back next week.
Novie: 17:15, 1st place * New course record *, 5:55 first mile, 6:10 pace
We loved that you let the runner from Mariner have the lead for the first bit of the first loop. It should be a real confidence builder that you can run fast and hard either from the front or chasing someone down. You ran incredibly smart -- opening up your lead on that big uphill in the middle of the race (your strength) and then never looking back. We know you've said your legs are feeling a bit tired -- but that's ok for this time in the season. When we get to end of season workouts and a bit of a taper, you are going to feel soooo good!
Gretta: 18:52, 8th place, 6:17 first mile, 6:44 pace
That was a brilliant race, Gretta. So strategic! Going into the second lap, you took a look up ahead at the fluorescence of Selah and you just methodically and patiently worked on reeling in their number 2 runner. That is the kind of race awareness we usually see in a senior -- and the fact that you kept your calm, believed in yourself, and just chipped away at it is crazy impressive for a freshman. You are such a key point scorer for us and when you race that savvy (and fast) it is a fun thing to witness.
Athena: 19:05, 11th place, 6:30 first mile, 6:49 pace
Wow do you know how to move up in a race. We're glad you got out good and hard this week and found good space to run and then you just relentlessly moved up. You were ahead of Selah's #3 by 5 places -- and in a tight race that matters. You also nipped the Anacortes #2! Like last year, you are finding your racing legs each week and getting better and better. And, just to keep some perspective, this year you were 31 seconds faster on this course than last year.
Rivers: 19:50, 23rd place, 6:48 first mile, 7:05 pace
Terrific race, Rivers. You looked so smooth and confident and strong throughout and you literally flew up that last hill making some seriously important point contributions. We noticed that you took your excitement/nerves/enthusiasm at the start and found a way to positively channel it into a patient and calm race strategy. Whatever you said to yourself in the power poses, keep saying it -- because it worked! You were intent on helping this team compete against some big teams and your focus paid off.
Ava: 19:55, 27th place, 6:46 first mile, 7:07 pace
Let's just start by noting that last year you loved this course and had a great race and ran 21:09. You were more than one minute and 14 seconds faster this year. That is crazy!! Good crazy! And, you made it look easy. You got out in the pack really well from the get-go and you just kept going. We love how you focused on Selah and Anacortes and decided you were going to race them. You ran those downhills so strong and your kick -- it was a beauty! Congrats! That race was a keeper for sure!
Icel: 20:24, 39th place, 6:50 first mile, 7:18 pace
Perspective is a good thing here -- you ran 45 seconds faster than last year. That's significant and should be a good sign of just how much faster you are going to be at the end of the season. We know you didn't feel "in" this one -- but it can be of some comfort that you were still wicked fast. Just imagine what will happen when it all comes together. Which it will. As we talked about, nothing about these race results defines anything about you as a runner, but the way you handled your own personal disappointment with grace and with an eye toward how you influence others says a whole lot about your character. Thanks for rising above your disappointment and being a leader of this incredible team!
Taya: 20:46, 45th place, 6:57 first mile, 7:25 pace
Let's just keep those spikes on forever because they were magic slippers for sure! Like your brother, you looked completely at home and comfortable in the ups and downs of the hills and you were just flying by those around you. We love how you continue to make sure your get out off the line in good position and each week you are able to keep that pace up longer and longer. This was a big race for you, Taya -- savor the goodness and remember it in the races ahead if you need a boost!
Lucy: 22:12, 81st place, 6:56 first mile, 7:56 pace
You did a terrific job making sure you got out and into a good position in the race. You looked solid through the first lap. We know that your stomach started hurting and that caused you to slow in the second lap. That's ok -- it's happened to all racers at one time or another and what we care about is how you mentally recover from it. You are fast and strong and you can choose to not let this one race sit in your head. What is impressive is your tenacity to work through it and your desire to run as well as possible -- both of which are such assets. Just make sure you eat a little more a few hours before the race next time and on the flat, fast courses coming up you will find your rhythm and relaxation again. We're certain of this.
Icel: 20:24, 39th place, 6:50 first mile, 7:18 pace
Perspective is a good thing here -- you ran 45 seconds faster than last year. That's significant and should be a good sign of just how much faster you are going to be at the end of the season. We know you didn't feel "in" this one -- but it can be of some comfort that you were still wicked fast. Just imagine what will happen when it all comes together. Which it will. As we talked about, nothing about these race results defines anything about you as a runner, but the way you handled your own personal disappointment with grace and with an eye toward how you influence others says a whole lot about your character. Thanks for rising above your disappointment and being a leader of this incredible team!
Taya: 20:46, 45th place, 6:57 first mile, 7:25 pace
Let's just keep those spikes on forever because they were magic slippers for sure! Like your brother, you looked completely at home and comfortable in the ups and downs of the hills and you were just flying by those around you. We love how you continue to make sure your get out off the line in good position and each week you are able to keep that pace up longer and longer. This was a big race for you, Taya -- savor the goodness and remember it in the races ahead if you need a boost!
Lucy: 22:12, 81st place, 6:56 first mile, 7:56 pace
You did a terrific job making sure you got out and into a good position in the race. You looked solid through the first lap. We know that your stomach started hurting and that caused you to slow in the second lap. That's ok -- it's happened to all racers at one time or another and what we care about is how you mentally recover from it. You are fast and strong and you can choose to not let this one race sit in your head. What is impressive is your tenacity to work through it and your desire to run as well as possible -- both of which are such assets. Just make sure you eat a little more a few hours before the race next time and on the flat, fast courses coming up you will find your rhythm and relaxation again. We're certain of this.
VARSITY BOYS -- With a faster field BY FAR than last year’s race, we held our own with a 6-man team. For comparison sake, in running similar times to last year, Cade and Emerson were 20-25 place further back. A bigger meet with some stacked larger schools up front. Tonasket was missing three of their top seven but Brewster was here in full. The true story of our League and District meets is yet to be told, but we are heading in the right direction and hopefully we’ll have all of the pieces in place in one of the next two meets.
Walker: 16:27, 24th place, 5:36 first mile, 5:53 pace
An excellent race with strong and steady progress made throughout. The quick first mile put you in good position, and you didn’t falter on the hills at all. Great to see you working your way within striking distance of Israel and Edgar by the second mile, and you will see them all again this weekend in Oroville. Keep up the controlled by aggressive approach early on with enough contact to make late race toughness a factor even when the overall field is a little smaller.
Cade: 17:27, 63rd place, 5:57 first mile, 6:14 pace
Great to have you back, and the “ease into it” approach worked fine. Of significance as well, with your 6:15 second mile with then a 6:14 overall pace over you really didn’t falter at all in that final long climb after mile two. Your rhythm looked good and with something obviously held in reserve you looked WAY stronger then everyone around you both at the 2mi and then again at the finish. Another week or so and you’ll be right back up in the mix with Tonasket’s #3 (Gomez) and Brewster’s #2 (Busching).
Emerson: 17:43, 80th place, 5:43 first mile, 6:20 pace
A little “off” of your last two races, but still a second faster on this course than last year. After ending up only 1 sec. behind Tonasket’s usual #3 (Gomez) at Chelan he had you by 40 sec. today. Hard to find him in the crowd but this week at Oroville he should be an easier mark. Continue to be aggressive but just a bit more reserved at the start. Keep that mindset of hunting people down and put yourself in a position to be moving late in favor of too much gas in beginning. Just some fine tuning of that early positioning.
Carter: 17:50, 89th place, 5:56 first mile, 6:22 pace
Faster again than last year by almost a minute, and over 1:30 now from 2014! Your aggressive starts are solid and your are holding form at critical moments later on. You crushed in on the last hill in a great “bumper car” battle for position with two other runners - and you snuck in front of one by simply keeping up the challenge and never giving in. Remember to find subtle little mid-race junctures where you can bridge a gap or move yourself up a bit more entering that 3rd and final mile. Your late race strength is there!
Peter: 17:53, 93rd place, 6:00 first mile, 6:23 pace
Also profoundly faster, by 1:07, than in 2015. Depth. Depth. Depth. And we simply need the right day when it can all come together with League competition. You are consistent now and established in mixing it up with the Tonasket/Brewster 4th and 5th - so look for them early this week in Oroville. Over all pace will drop as we return to flatter terrain and rolling hills. Keep it smooth but push a bit for that slightly faster early mile again in the races ahead.
Lazo: 17:57, 97th place, 6:14 first mile, 6:25 pace
If “embrace the suck” was your mantra, then you did so to the utmost. Thank you for stepping to the line and giving it a race even if you weren’t feeling 100%. Your patient approach to the beginning paid dividends late and you closed the gap to Peter and Carter with a strong final mile. Nearly 3 minutes faster than in 2015. Boom! Enough said ‘bout that :) ** HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETE OF THE WEEK **
JV HIGH SCHOOL BOYS -- Another big field -- 243 racers -- and another strong showing of
improvement by our JV Boys team. You had the long wait-around-for-the-last-race deal and had the intimidation of watching the uphill finish of each race. But, you all didn't look intimidated at all. You found your own races and you raced them really well. The repeats we've done on the Palm's driveway showed up today in the way you tackled the hills each time!
Tim: 19:14, 51st place, 6:30 first mile, 6:52 pace
You said your pre-race mantra was "light it up" and light it up you did! You looked so relaxed and in control out there and yet strong and smooth. You were just 4 seconds slower than last year in this race -- but last year that got you 25th place...so this was a much faster field overall. You did a good job moderating your first half mile this week and it paid off in a lot left to give in an impressive kick up the hill.
Henry: 19:45, 67th place, 6:36 first mile, 7:03 pace
Another solid showing, Henry -- and remember this first season you will be learning more and more every week. You mentioned you felt like the flats were the hardest -- it is a challenge to find your your racing rhythm on a course like this that always feels like it is up or down. When you were in the groove, though, you were really powering up and opening up your stride on the way down. That's excellent hill running. Patience -- you will keep improving and get where you want to be!
Simon: 19:51, 75th place, 6:38 first mile, 7:05 pace
Simon, you were over a minute faster than last year -- that's huge! And you were ahead of last year's Simon every step of the way. You went out 50 seconds faster at the mile than last year and that means you are stronger and more confident. You were definitely using your arms and your strength well on the uphills and you were working hard to make sure you kept in contact with those around you. This is all excellent!
Michael: 22:30, 187th place, 7:30 first mile, 8:02 pace
You looked really good on the final half mile today -- perhaps the result of finding some Zen running and choosing not to get to nervous about what lies ahead. Keep that up and your finishes will get even stronger. You opened up the first mile well and we can work on keeping your head in the moment throughout the rest of the race to keep you relaxed.
Zach: 22:36, 191st place, 7:43 first mile, 8:04 pace
Your pre-race plan mentioned focusing on the hills and it sure looked like you were all in on them. Your final kick was inspiring and good job sticking with it all the way through the line to pass the athlete from Cascade. Last year you ran this course in 23:12, so you were 36 seconds faster than last year -- that should make you smile!
Tim: 19:14, 51st place, 6:30 first mile, 6:52 pace
You said your pre-race mantra was "light it up" and light it up you did! You looked so relaxed and in control out there and yet strong and smooth. You were just 4 seconds slower than last year in this race -- but last year that got you 25th place...so this was a much faster field overall. You did a good job moderating your first half mile this week and it paid off in a lot left to give in an impressive kick up the hill.
Henry: 19:45, 67th place, 6:36 first mile, 7:03 pace
Another solid showing, Henry -- and remember this first season you will be learning more and more every week. You mentioned you felt like the flats were the hardest -- it is a challenge to find your your racing rhythm on a course like this that always feels like it is up or down. When you were in the groove, though, you were really powering up and opening up your stride on the way down. That's excellent hill running. Patience -- you will keep improving and get where you want to be!
Simon: 19:51, 75th place, 6:38 first mile, 7:05 pace
Simon, you were over a minute faster than last year -- that's huge! And you were ahead of last year's Simon every step of the way. You went out 50 seconds faster at the mile than last year and that means you are stronger and more confident. You were definitely using your arms and your strength well on the uphills and you were working hard to make sure you kept in contact with those around you. This is all excellent!
Michael: 22:30, 187th place, 7:30 first mile, 8:02 pace
You looked really good on the final half mile today -- perhaps the result of finding some Zen running and choosing not to get to nervous about what lies ahead. Keep that up and your finishes will get even stronger. You opened up the first mile well and we can work on keeping your head in the moment throughout the rest of the race to keep you relaxed.
Zach: 22:36, 191st place, 7:43 first mile, 8:04 pace
Your pre-race plan mentioned focusing on the hills and it sure looked like you were all in on them. Your final kick was inspiring and good job sticking with it all the way through the line to pass the athlete from Cascade. Last year you ran this course in 23:12, so you were 36 seconds faster than last year -- that should make you smile!
