August 24, 2020

Thursday of this week would have been our first day of practice for the 2020 Cross Country season.  And while formal practice has been postponed until September 18, our athletes continue to prepare for the competition ahead.  Some of our more experienced runners are already into their 4th four-week training plan and will be running a 2 Mile Time Trial tomorrow before our Strength and Conditioning session.  Not a race, just an opportunity to obtain a benchmark for training paces moving forward.  ALL are welcome to join in. No need for fear, you will be timed, not judged.  Participation is voluntary.

I'm grateful to all those who have participated in our Tuesday and Thursday sessions.  I've really enjoyed it.  And we plan to continue it right through September 10th.  By then, class schedules should be in place. Sport scheduling should also be completed.  And plans will have been made for complying with the modifications recommended or required for competition.  We will plan our practices and training regimen around the "new normal."  Different, but not difficult.  

With one month to go, there is still time to register for Cross Country and get in some meaningful prep work.  If you have friends or classmates who wants to take up a healthy activity while challenging themselves, insist they join our teams.  We have actually doubled the total number of athletes on our teams over the past 6 years, which tells me the sport is alive and well.  But we have room for more.  I fully understand the frustration many of you have when trying to recruit others to XC.  The response most often heard is, "It's too much work." or  "I don't want to put myself through the pain."  Sure, it is work.  Hard work.  It is also painful initially.  But you and I know the pain subsides quickly and disappears altogether soon thereafter.  And as for work, I've never considered running and being part of a great team anything but fun.  When asked earlier this summer, an athlete explained the switch from another sport.  Cross Country is more accepting.  The team cheers each other on.  There is no dissension, only support from everybody. That alone is reason to join our teams.

Our coaching staff's enthusiasm mirrors yours.  Our effort mirrors yours. Our enjoyment mirror yours.  Thank you for that gift, and don't stop trying to share it with others.