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MAC/ISL Championships

October 26, 2019 (Morning)

Exercise Type: Run

Weather: 60's; Cloudy

Comments:
Hadn't run this course in 3 years. Great to have a go at it after all this time.

I won't bore you with details before my race, but I would like to point out a few standout performances. First off, Arjun destroying the MAC competition even after a fast first mile. I also wanna shoutout Arthur (not my son) and Ben Meyer and others for PRing and Daniel and Caroline on running their first 5k ever!!

The warmups were peaceful and the amount of time was perfect. Not a thought in my mind besides to work my way up as the race went on. Surely enough, the gun sounded and 98 eager feet beat against manicured grass, throwing elbows and such to gain a lead, as we all know Cross Country is won in the first 300 meters (NAT!!!!). Kept Corbin with me for most of the first bit and brought him along with me through the (hilariously under-measured!!!!) mile mark, which read a 5:10 or some inaccurate bull-stuff. The hill past the mile marker and through the woods is where things got funky and especially tactical. I passed a Sidwell and a Flint Hill guy, though they fought back and I battled them through the next secluded section, losing a lead before the bridge, which I gained in the woods again. The last 1000m of the race are a blur, all I remember is being dead going up the hill after the creek and mad that a Flint Hill guy outkicked me in the last 100m. Time surprised me and gives me a reason to really work come next week.

Really, really, really, really, really happy about today. The Bugs pulled through and executed. In every race, we showed we had heart and were more dedicated and joyful about the sport than any other team out there today. Although sad that I experienced the dryest part of the MAC banner drought, I am glad to say that I got to be on the same team as many classes down the line that went home with new bedsheets.

Anthony astutely pointed out something that I've noticed over the past few years that is hard to name: the fact that everyone is pulled in so many directions and so stressed the last week of XC that we forget that there is in fact another meet. States is by no means reachable, but it's yet another opportunity to show what we have learned this year. I encourage everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, take a moment to be present in the last some 18 hours that we will spend together as a team.

Once again, Bugs, we ran well today. Future of the team looks blindingly bright. (Tune in next week for an even longer, more sentimental log)