Location: Lakeside Park, Chelan, WA
Date: 9.25.18
Distance: Approx. 1.1mi run as two laps around the park along the lakeshore. Mostly grass, with some very soft/wet spots. One very steep uphill and very steep downhill (run twice!) and otherwise lots of tight turns, including a crazy U-turn by the bathrooms/portable toilets. Races were split by gender and by grade. Big Fields in all!
Weather: A beautiful fall afternoon with temps in the 70s, no noticeable wind. Perfect running weather — and jumping into the lake after weather!
Overall: Another great effort across the board. It was fun to be at a middle school only meet and see all the schools (including some very large ones) from around the region. Everyone gave it their all! And the team support (and team jump in the lake after) was awesome to see. A much improved bus cleanliness effort, too. Your coaches are proud!
7TH GRADE BOYS
We might have only had 3 runners in this race, but they were strong, relatively tightly packed, and super supportive of each other. 64 finishers.
Will: 6:47, 7th place, 6:10 mile pace
Will: 6:47, 7th place, 6:10 mile pace
Once again you run like a very experienced racer. You ran the second loop so strong and moved up really well! I do think the lead pack of 4 or 5 got out faster than you did, though, and then you lost eye sight of them. So, next race we’ll work on finding that just-right balance of getting out in sight of the group you want to race with but still having enough in reserve to run that super strong second half you do so well.
Asked: 7:00, 11th place, 6:22 mile pace
Asked: 7:00, 11th place, 6:22 mile pace
You definitely were racing out there. You kept contact with the racers around you and did a great job keeping your eyes up and looking ahead all the time. You had a great last 200-300 meters, too. It’s really fun to watch you race because you actually look like you are really enjoying it —even the parts that hurt.
Kyler: 7:16, 15th place, 6:36 mile pace
Kyler: 7:16, 15th place, 6:36 mile pace
You ran that uphill so well. Your arms were moving quick and your legs followed. You definitely made several great passes on the hill and then you really popped the top of the hill and made sure those racers weren’t going to go with you. You are a stronger and more bold racer every week and it is exciting to see you improve!
8TH GRADE BOYS
That was a very fast field! Nice job running in some packs — we can probably do even more of that in the next race to make sure that when we are running next to a teammate we use that as positive energy. 73 finishers.
Sawyer: 6:47, 14th place, 6:10 mile pace
Sawyer: 6:47, 14th place, 6:10 mile pace
Great job getting out into a good position in this very crowded and fast field. Sometimes those first few meters set you up to be in just the right racing moments with groups that will pull you along. You definitely set yourself into a fast pack and then you did a great job just working it with that group. We’ll keep working on driving your legs so your running benefits from all your basketball power.
Graham: 6:48, 16th place, 6:11 mile pace
Graham: 6:48, 16th place, 6:11 mile pace
Another super solid effort. You’ve found your racing legs and mindset this year and you are now super consistent and confident. You had a strong second lap uphill and downhill and then you let that carry you into the last flat section well. Coming around the bathroom corner, you were flying! Nice finish.
Carter: 6:57, 18th place, 6:19 mile pace
Carter: 6:57, 18th place, 6:19 mile pace
You ran a smart race this week. You avoided the temptation of racing off of the start line too fast and that meant you had a great reserve for the second lap. Your endurance is definitely coming along and you held great form and had enough to start an early surge into your kick to set yourself up for a nice finish.
Jackson: 7:19, 31st place, 6:39 mile pace
Jackson: 7:19, 31st place, 6:39 mile pace
You were determined out there. You looked good and relaxed starting the second loop. Then you made a strong move coming down the big downhill the second time and it was clear you planned on passing a lot of people from then on. You found your kick, which I know is something you’ve been hoping for.
Tristan: 7:22, 33rd place, 6:42 mile pace
Tristan: 7:22, 33rd place, 6:42 mile pace
I know that finish is not what you wanted but you looked smooth and strong throughout the race and so try to stay focused on the things that were working well. You looked like your were shifting gears well transitioning from the flats to the hill and the downhill and you were moving well in the crowds throughout. Those tight turns on tired legs made the fierce battle at the end tough but you never gave up. All that is very good and worth remembering.
Kellen: 7:25, 37th place, 6:45 mile pace
Kellen: 7:25, 37th place, 6:45 mile pace
You definitely found the kick you’ve been wanting! You looked really strong and fluid, with fast arms and fast legs in that whole last 400 meters. I also saw some very nice downhill running both times to set you up well for the flat section that followed. You are looking stronger and more self-assured each week. I think you are starting to actually enjoy racing, but I won’t tell anyone!
Isaiah:
Isaiah:
That big downhill was crazy steep and it is so frustrating that in the battle with your knee, the hill won. I’m sorry that happened - you had started off strong and were ready for a good, competitive race. But, sometimes we have to know when to stop so we don’t do further injury and you made the right judgment call to stop. Thank you for knowing what you needed to do and for handling it with maturity. I know you are disappointed but you will heal and you will have many more great races ahead.
7TH GRADE GIRLS — 60 finishers.
Dashe: 7:06, 2nd place, 6:27 mile pace
7TH GRADE GIRLS — 60 finishers.
Dashe: 7:06, 2nd place, 6:27 mile pace
Way to show some GRRR. The girl from Wenatchee went out quick but you stayed with her and didn’t let the gap get extended. You looked strong and relaxed throughout. You might have been a little frustrated at not being able to catch her but we know that you were still recovering from a cold and that took a bit out of you. With a ten day break, I am sure that you will be back to your best for our next race in Leavenworth. Looking forward to see you lead our Lions along again.
Leki: 7:07, 3rd place, 6:28 mile pace
Leki: 7:07, 3rd place, 6:28 mile pace
Another great job. Wow. You are really working at closing the gap with our front runners. Your racing strategy shows great confidence by being able to go out fast and maintain that pace. Your ability to keep moving forward in our front pack makes this team very formidable competition. I believe you will continue surprising yourself at who you can run with.
Ayla: 7:09, 4th place, 6:30 mile pace
Ayla: 7:09, 4th place, 6:30 mile pace
Wow what an incredible first race for the Green and Gold. You had been looking great in your limited practice but the race was something totally above that. You went out quick with Leki. I have to admit seeing you come up the hill on the second lap, I was feeling that you were going to get swallowed by a large pack behind you. But somehow you stuck with Dashe and Leki and finished up 4th in the race. Totally amazing. I can’t wait to see how your season develops as you get more miles under your belt.
Linnaea: 8:40, 33rd place, 7:53 mile pace
Strong and solid again. You said you felt a little slow but watching some of the race video showed you looked great at the end, moving along with good pace and good form. As your confidence develops, we can work on having you push the pace a little more early. Tempo workouts are a great place to start feeling fast. Trust in yourself and you will keep getting faster and feeling better.
Ila: 8:44, 35th place, 7:56 mile pace
Ila: 8:44, 35th place, 7:56 mile pace
You are showing improvement every race as your confidence and racing experience grow. Way to be bold and go out a little harder, working with Linnaea to move up through the pack. In Bridgeport, you finished towards the back of the pack. In Chelan, you were right in the middle of a big group of quality runners. You will continue to learn how much you are able to push yourself. Good to see you move beyond those stops and starts to a complete race. Good things lie ahead.
Penny: 8:53, 42nd place, 8:05 mile pace
Penny: 8:53, 42nd place, 8:05 mile pace
Great job. You finally got your first race in. I was impressed with how you followed our pre-race plan to go out with Lin and Ila. The pace might have been a little quick but you quickly found your stride and ran a great evenly paced race. The race experience will be so helpful for you moving forward. In practice, we can work on grouping up and finding that sweet spot. Congrats!
8TH GRADE GIRLS - 41 finishers.
Stella: 7:00, 3rd place, 6:22 mile pace
8TH GRADE GIRLS - 41 finishers.
Stella: 7:00, 3rd place, 6:22 mile pace
Way to go. You ran another great race. So strong and smooth. You ran with some tough competition from bigger schools from all over the region. Your confidence and determination were plenty to get up into a good position early and finish well. I look forward to getting you back racing with our 7th grade pack, too. Working together, I know we can start to pick off a couple more racers ahead of you.
Nina: 8:59, 28th place, 8:10 mile pace
Nina: 8:59, 28th place, 8:10 mile pace
Wow. Two solid finishes in a row. That pink tape is doing the trick for sure. I love that you are finding a nice, even pace and maintaining throughout the whole race. I think that as we add more miles and more speed during practices that you are going to find another gear and start working your way up through the pack. So wonderful to see you running well.
Lily: 9:00, 29th place, 8:11 mile pace
Lily: 9:00, 29th place, 8:11 mile pace
Way to be tough. I know it was a challenging race for you. Those steep hills and soft ground made for some difficult traveling. You got pretty worn out but you didn’t give up and kept going. Your finish looked really good. As we move through the season, we will increase our fitness and start making these races feel a whole lot easier even when you are running faster. You are going to be loving these races, just you wait.
Grace:
Grace:
Good call on taking some time off until we get some more information. We missed your cheerful presence greatly but look forward to developing a new plan for moving forward and getting you out competing once again.
Addie:
Addie:
We all felt a little lost without our "team mom." Who was gonna get us taped, supply and apply our glitter and bring along general good cheer? Well you must have taught the ladies well as they somehow got all those tasks taken care of. Liberty Bell definitely had their glitter on. Hoping that you are not long for the crutches and that we get you back this season. Thanks for all you do.
PS Not a lot of photos this week. We'll do better at Leavenworth we promise!!