If you are here because you clicked the link from the cross country article, then you already know how the HAAC conference meet went for me. I did not go at all. Around 3 a.m. I woke up with a 102 degree temperature and a sore, swollen throat. After calling coach, I spent the morning of Sept. 20 sitting in a walk-in medical center in Lawrence trying to get some relief from my symptoms, while my teammates lined up on a moist, windy course.
I was treated for strep throat on Saturday, but as the antibiotics proved to be providing no relief I returned to the medical center on Monday morning only to test positive for Mono. I stayed in Lawrence for the next few days while my boyfriend made sure I was staying hydrated and keeping my fever down.
After suffering through five days of a swollen throat and fever I drove the three hours home to see my family doctor. There they took more of my blood and confirmed the medical clinic's advice to not run for a minimum of four weeks.
The women's team came in fifth, which is two places lower than expected. I feel bad for not being able to run for the team, but there was not a whole lot I could do about being sick. I wish them the best of luck at the regional meet next weekend, and hopefully I will be able to train soon and get ready for indoor track.
Monday, October 29, 2007
Monday, October 15, 2007
Did You Say Stop?
The single most bizarre and irritating experience in my cross country history happened on Saturday at the Mid-States Classic in Winfield. All 32 teams were lined up, the gun went off, and about 600 meters later the leaders took a wrong turn. Almost 40 women in the front pack missed a left hand turn and got at least a 200 yard lead. After mass confusion on the course, of which I found myself almost to a complete stop, the rest of the pack continued on the right course. Around the one mile mark people were telling us to stop running. The race was officially stopped and one hour later all the women lined back up and raced again.
Next Saturday is the conference meet held in Olathe. Being so close to home will be convenient and beneficial. We won't have to leave incredibly early in the morning like last Saturday (5:45 a.m.) and we will be able to go to the course ahead of time and run on it. The womens team is ranked third in conference and there are high hopes for the race.
Next Saturday is the conference meet held in Olathe. Being so close to home will be convenient and beneficial. We won't have to leave incredibly early in the morning like last Saturday (5:45 a.m.) and we will be able to go to the course ahead of time and run on it. The womens team is ranked third in conference and there are high hopes for the race.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Mid-Season and Midterms
This weekend was splendid. There was no nervousness and no exhaustion. Even though we ran both days on our own, not having a meet provided a much needed stress-free break. Getting to spend time with my family was great, and I have to admit I got a little depressed as I drove away from them on my way back last night.
This week looks to allow us fresh legs for Saturday's meet at Winfield. Tonight will bring a hard workout followed by easy miles tomorrow morning (6 a.m. to be exact). From now on the Baker 'Cats Cross Country team will be up before the sun on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but relieving us of practice in the afternoon.
With midterms all this week, I'm sure most of us will be feeling some extra stress and spending late hours in the library. The good news is that if the freshmen have GPA's above a 3.0, then they no longer have to clock in three hours a week in the library (even though I'll still be spending that much time in there anyways).
The miles have been backing off with Conference approaching, and that is wonderful news. It's amazing how fast this season has been going, and soon I won't have anything to blog about. But until then, I'll keep you posted.
This week looks to allow us fresh legs for Saturday's meet at Winfield. Tonight will bring a hard workout followed by easy miles tomorrow morning (6 a.m. to be exact). From now on the Baker 'Cats Cross Country team will be up before the sun on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but relieving us of practice in the afternoon.
With midterms all this week, I'm sure most of us will be feeling some extra stress and spending late hours in the library. The good news is that if the freshmen have GPA's above a 3.0, then they no longer have to clock in three hours a week in the library (even though I'll still be spending that much time in there anyways).
The miles have been backing off with Conference approaching, and that is wonderful news. It's amazing how fast this season has been going, and soon I won't have anything to blog about. But until then, I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Time For a Break
As the season reaches the halfway point, we finally get a weekend off. Sweet relief lies ahead with a weekend lacking a meet. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy competing, but this is going to be a beneficial break.
Not only will it help us rest our legs before the Mid-State Classic at Winfield, it's going to give the team a chance to go home and spend time with their families. I plan on spending my weekend back home in Cheney chatting with my parents, going shopping with my grandma, and getting to chill with my sisters.
As far as last weekend's meet at Jones Park in Emporia went, a lot of the team had new personal best, while I struggled to finish the race. It was a warmer day on a grassy, tree covered course which aggravated my exercise induced asthma. Needless to say, the next meet will be a better one for me.
Not only will it help us rest our legs before the Mid-State Classic at Winfield, it's going to give the team a chance to go home and spend time with their families. I plan on spending my weekend back home in Cheney chatting with my parents, going shopping with my grandma, and getting to chill with my sisters.
As far as last weekend's meet at Jones Park in Emporia went, a lot of the team had new personal best, while I struggled to finish the race. It was a warmer day on a grassy, tree covered course which aggravated my exercise induced asthma. Needless to say, the next meet will be a better one for me.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Proof
The BU Wildcat Cross Country team found proof that Kansas is indeed as "flat as a pancake" (at least in some places). Saturday's meet was held at Marion Reservoir about two hours west of here. A ditch next to one of the roads the course intersected was the biggest incline for the whole 5K.
When coach told us the course was going to be flat I was initially excited. Finally, a course with some relief. Well, it wasn't more than a mile or so into the race before I realized just how monotonous this run was going to be. There was absolutely zero change, as far as elevation was concerned.
The scenery was interesting, though. The first part curved pretty distinctly to the right and then wrapped us back around into a "nature trail." This part was a nightmare for anyone with allergies, mostly because we were surrounded by sunflower-like plants on both sides. Then we disappeared into the trees for quite a ways before emerging back into the sunlight in front of the spectators.
Overall, we had a good meet. We finished fourth (and it might be worth mentioning, Kansas Wesleyan, coach's old school, finished two spots in front of us...awkward) and the top three girls, Mary, me, and Amber, were all within three seconds of each other. This week we compete at Emporia. Gun goes off at 5:00 p.m., and this one is close enough to invite you all to come watch.
When coach told us the course was going to be flat I was initially excited. Finally, a course with some relief. Well, it wasn't more than a mile or so into the race before I realized just how monotonous this run was going to be. There was absolutely zero change, as far as elevation was concerned.
The scenery was interesting, though. The first part curved pretty distinctly to the right and then wrapped us back around into a "nature trail." This part was a nightmare for anyone with allergies, mostly because we were surrounded by sunflower-like plants on both sides. Then we disappeared into the trees for quite a ways before emerging back into the sunlight in front of the spectators.
Overall, we had a good meet. We finished fourth (and it might be worth mentioning, Kansas Wesleyan, coach's old school, finished two spots in front of us...awkward) and the top three girls, Mary, me, and Amber, were all within three seconds of each other. This week we compete at Emporia. Gun goes off at 5:00 p.m., and this one is close enough to invite you all to come watch.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Welcome to the Big Time
As I crossed the 5,000 meter mark of our 6,000 meter race, I heard a man announcing the time of the first finisher. My initial thought was, "Wow! That is soooo not fair." Then I had to chuckle to myself (as much as you can chuckle after 5,000 meters). The girls crossing the finish line had blown my pace out of the water, they had pushed harder than me to get there first, it was perfectly fair, and reasonable for that matter, that they finish before me.
We were in the 21st chute on a starting line longer than I had ever seen before (to give you an idea, the 21st chute put us about in the middle). It only took a matter of seconds after the gun went off for me to get lost in a sea of 223 runners all headed for the same narrowing curve up ahead.
The good news is that I didn't take out too fast with the pack this time. I knew there was a reason I was running for Baker University and not Nebraska or K-State. The bad news was that I started out way too slow. I remember hearing a coach yelling to his runner that she was in 119th place; I was just a few behind her. I worked my way up the pack the entire race. I crossed the finish line behind only 86 of the 223 competitors, with a time that landed me the 13th fastest 6K time for BU. I was satisfied.
The rest of the team did well, too. Our pack time remains close, which is a good thing (pack time is the amount of time difference between the first BU runner and the last BU runner to cross the finish line).
It was a rather chilly morning, which helped keep our heart rates down and our minds off the longer race. This week's practices are supposed to be plenty easy in order for us to have fresh legs for the meet at Marion Lake this weekend, hosted by Tabor.
We were in the 21st chute on a starting line longer than I had ever seen before (to give you an idea, the 21st chute put us about in the middle). It only took a matter of seconds after the gun went off for me to get lost in a sea of 223 runners all headed for the same narrowing curve up ahead.
The good news is that I didn't take out too fast with the pack this time. I knew there was a reason I was running for Baker University and not Nebraska or K-State. The bad news was that I started out way too slow. I remember hearing a coach yelling to his runner that she was in 119th place; I was just a few behind her. I worked my way up the pack the entire race. I crossed the finish line behind only 86 of the 223 competitors, with a time that landed me the 13th fastest 6K time for BU. I was satisfied.
The rest of the team did well, too. Our pack time remains close, which is a good thing (pack time is the amount of time difference between the first BU runner and the last BU runner to cross the finish line).
It was a rather chilly morning, which helped keep our heart rates down and our minds off the longer race. This week's practices are supposed to be plenty easy in order for us to have fresh legs for the meet at Marion Lake this weekend, hosted by Tabor.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
The Ups and Downs
If you haven't already noticed, my blogs are getting distanced by more and more time each entry. I will go ahead and blame this on an increasingly busy schedule, and also, the fact that I've needed almost a week to regain enough strength to type.
Consider the following: wake-up, sometimes a morning run, inhale some breakfast, off to class, grab some lunch, head to the library for study hall, get back to my room and change for practice, spend 15 minutes complaining about how I don't want to go to practice, get to practice, run, abs, stretch, weights, dinner, crash.
The good news is mileage is slowing down. Coach is easing off a little bit, and we're getting our legs back underneath us. The bad news is between allergy season approaching and having practice in the chilly rain, most of us are getting colds. It's okay though, it makes our voices sound funny, and that'll make us laugh.
This week we head off to Lincoln, NB, to run at the Woody Greeno Invitational, where we will be reminded that there are a lot of incredibly talented runners in this country. And also, that there are a lot of hills in this country. I will let you all know how we hold up.
Consider the following: wake-up, sometimes a morning run, inhale some breakfast, off to class, grab some lunch, head to the library for study hall, get back to my room and change for practice, spend 15 minutes complaining about how I don't want to go to practice, get to practice, run, abs, stretch, weights, dinner, crash.
The good news is mileage is slowing down. Coach is easing off a little bit, and we're getting our legs back underneath us. The bad news is between allergy season approaching and having practice in the chilly rain, most of us are getting colds. It's okay though, it makes our voices sound funny, and that'll make us laugh.
This week we head off to Lincoln, NB, to run at the Woody Greeno Invitational, where we will be reminded that there are a lot of incredibly talented runners in this country. And also, that there are a lot of hills in this country. I will let you all know how we hold up.
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