On Tuesday, the Potters raced against EP, and they looked good. This season has been one of improvements and learning, and on Tuesday they showed that they've been doing both, and are rounding into shape for the end of the season, with the Mid-Illini meet and the Sectional.
The weather presented some of the better conditions the Potters have raced in yet in '09. The wind was present but minimal. It was chilly, but not cold. There was a light drizzle, but it wasn't pouring. It wasn't perfect, but it was pretty close to what I like to think is perfect, and these were the conditions at the start of the meet when the men took to the track for the 4x800.
The men of the relay seemed to be listening to my advice and comments from last week, as they were a measure of control in the first 400 meters. On average, most the Potters ran their first lap 3 seconds slower than last week. On average, they ran their second lap about 10 seconds faster, and ran their total splits 6-8 seconds faster than last week. The Potters are learning that in order to run your best, you need to balance your competitive drive with even pacing, and it's showing in their improved results. The relay ran a season best 8:57, with JT and Dale at about 2:12, Dan Getz at 2:13 and Smitty at 2:18.
In the 3200, Joe Zeller took to the front right away and immediately made clear his intention to run away with this race. While Joe was out front, pushing the pace on his own in search of a new PR, Dan Ruder and Nick Piper were battling with East Peoria's top runners. As the race neared the end, Dan kicked past EP to take second in about 10:50, with Nick 4th in 11:05ish. Oh, and Joe won in 10:33.
It was then time for the 800, where Austin went out in a slightly more controlled 63-64 second first lap, and looked a lot more agressive and capable on the second lap than in previous races to come in with a PR at 2:10. I didn't get all the times, but several other Potters ran in the 2:18-2:22 range, including Nathan Smith, JT and Dale.
Finally in the mile, we had a plethora of pacing Potters out there in search of a sub 5 time. Austin went to the front, followed by EPs top guys and Ruder and Zeller. After the pace settled down on the second lap, EPs guys took to the front to push the pace, with Austin giving them a good fight to stay up at the front. As they hammered up front, Austin tired and Joe and Dan closed right up to him, with all 3 coming in around 5:02-5:05. Rounding out the Potters varsity were Smitty in 5:20ish and Dan Getz in 5:27ish.
I think that was all, but there were a lot of guys racing and I didn't get to doing this update for a few days, so I might have forgotten or missed something. Sorry.
Finally, though there were no distance guys in the race, the 4x400 was intense, though not as sweet as it could have been. Morton ran most the race with a 15 meter deficit, and had closed that to about 5-10 meters coming into the handoff to the anchor leg. Anderson was slated on anchor, had won the 400 earlier, and with him taking the baton 5-10 meters down, it looked to be a very intense anchor leg, with likely, hopefully, a close Potter victory at the line.
That anchor leg battle never materialized. EP fudged their handoff, sending the baton to the track. Bam, I thought, they just erased their lead, and by the time they picked it up, they'd start even with Anderson, at best. But instead of picking up the baton and running - it was lying in lane 1 on the track in the exchange zone, so it was perfectly legal still - they just walked off of the track. Don't ask me why. So the Potters ran away with it on the last lap, with no one to race.
Next up is the Pekin Dragon Invitational, where the Potters will line up against some of the best in the area in search of some faster times and some preparation for the Mid-Illini. And they're looking like they're rounding into shape to be strong at the conference meet. It should be an interesting second half of the season.
Oh, and we've got 2 Potters under 5, and 2 more between 5:00 and 5:09. When are rest going to go under?
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Joes Shorts Run a 4:55 1600!!
The Morton Coed Relays!
Today, the Potters joined forces with the Lady Potters and defeated the guys and gals of Washington and Canton in the Morton Coed Relays. The meet offered some unusual medley races and also some wicked headwinds on the backstraight. With the unusual combination of events, the distance runners had to divy up four 800 meter legs, and one 1600 meter leg, so only a handful of the Potter distancemen competed.
In the coed 4x800 relay, Dale and Jordan Thomas both painfully found out what happens when you run your first 300 meters too fast, especially into a strong wind. Both Potters took the baton with a deficit on Canton and took off trying to close the gap. First laps of 62 were followed by slower laps to finish around 2:20 for each Potter. The Potters hopefully gained some valuable experience in pacing for the 800 meters. The coed 3200 relay finished second in the event.
In the coed distance medley, Joe and Austin teamed up with the Pribble sisters for an odd event that goes 800-800-1600-1600, girl-guy-girl-guy. Now that I've found a confusing way of describing what the race is, I'll find a way of describing how it went. Austin took the baton for his 800 leg with a slight lead, with the goal of going out in 62 seconds and running a fast time. He made his first lap perfectly, but struggled on the second lap, to finish around 2:12. Joe took the baton in second, about 15 meters behind Canton's anchor. The gap stayed that way for pretty much the rest of the race, as Joe ran strong and steady to split under 5, with a 4:55.
In the sprint medley, Nathan ran fairly even splits for 2:20 to cross the line in 2nd for the Potters. Overall, I believe the Potters won the meet, after a commanding victory in the guys 4x400 relay. It was a good day for the Potters as several ran fast times and they competed well against their Mid-Illini rivals, on a day where the wind really made it difficult to run quick times.
That's 2 Potters under 5 minutes now, with a few more just over the horizon.
Today, the Potters joined forces with the Lady Potters and defeated the guys and gals of Washington and Canton in the Morton Coed Relays. The meet offered some unusual medley races and also some wicked headwinds on the backstraight. With the unusual combination of events, the distance runners had to divy up four 800 meter legs, and one 1600 meter leg, so only a handful of the Potter distancemen competed.
In the coed 4x800 relay, Dale and Jordan Thomas both painfully found out what happens when you run your first 300 meters too fast, especially into a strong wind. Both Potters took the baton with a deficit on Canton and took off trying to close the gap. First laps of 62 were followed by slower laps to finish around 2:20 for each Potter. The Potters hopefully gained some valuable experience in pacing for the 800 meters. The coed 3200 relay finished second in the event.
In the coed distance medley, Joe and Austin teamed up with the Pribble sisters for an odd event that goes 800-800-1600-1600, girl-guy-girl-guy. Now that I've found a confusing way of describing what the race is, I'll find a way of describing how it went. Austin took the baton for his 800 leg with a slight lead, with the goal of going out in 62 seconds and running a fast time. He made his first lap perfectly, but struggled on the second lap, to finish around 2:12. Joe took the baton in second, about 15 meters behind Canton's anchor. The gap stayed that way for pretty much the rest of the race, as Joe ran strong and steady to split under 5, with a 4:55.
In the sprint medley, Nathan ran fairly even splits for 2:20 to cross the line in 2nd for the Potters. Overall, I believe the Potters won the meet, after a commanding victory in the guys 4x400 relay. It was a good day for the Potters as several ran fast times and they competed well against their Mid-Illini rivals, on a day where the wind really made it difficult to run quick times.
That's 2 Potters under 5 minutes now, with a few more just over the horizon.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Potters Mold the Redbrids into the Shape of a Dragon
It was a dark and stormy night. The Potters were getting ready to take on the Redbirds of Metamora and the Dragons of Pekin in a Mid-Illini Track & Field Showdown. Thankfully, I [Dave] was fortunate enough to be on-hand for this meet due to no-classes on Wednesday due to Finals. Thus, Steve has assigned me to write the report for the blog. Here it is:
4 x 800- The Potters fielded a solid crew for the 4 x 800: JT, Dale, Dan, and Smitty. Each member gave their best effort during their leg en route to a low 9-minute time overall. Morton's 4 x 800 continued to show constant improvement with each runner consistently running in the low 2:20s and 2:10s. Said Dale about the race, "We were fast, but they were faster." That's alright. You'll get 'em next time!
3200- The Potters entered many runners in this event: Joe, Danny, Pipes, Andrew, Isaac, and Joe Zeller's shorts, which seemed to have a mind of their own. Despite the terrible trousers, Joe managed to run a 10:30 (crummybuttons! he beat my PR) to lead the Potters. The rest of the crew also turned in commendable finishes, but I don't have the time sheet in front of me so I don't want to give any false information.
800- Right at the gun, Austin Bradford shot off the line as quick as a Venus fly-trap and just barely lost the lead to Metamora in the final stretch. Other solid 800 times were turned in by JT, Stuey, and....I can't remember who else; maybe it was Dale. Who knows.
1600- The bad weather let up just in time for the mile. The Potters continued to show tremendous improvement in this event, putting 4 guys under 5:10. Danny Ruder ran a great race to go 4:54, becoming the first of a potentially large number of Potters to go under 5 this year. Bradford, Joe, and Pipes were also agonizingly close, coming in somewhere between 5:03-5:10.
There. That's all I can remember, and I really had to dig down deep to recall some of that information (most of which is probably not correct anyway). If anybody notices any errors, feel free to comment. Also, don't be afraid to comment about anything else either.
I'm hungry. I'm going to dinner. It's lasagna night!
4 x 800- The Potters fielded a solid crew for the 4 x 800: JT, Dale, Dan, and Smitty. Each member gave their best effort during their leg en route to a low 9-minute time overall. Morton's 4 x 800 continued to show constant improvement with each runner consistently running in the low 2:20s and 2:10s. Said Dale about the race, "We were fast, but they were faster." That's alright. You'll get 'em next time!
3200- The Potters entered many runners in this event: Joe, Danny, Pipes, Andrew, Isaac, and Joe Zeller's shorts, which seemed to have a mind of their own. Despite the terrible trousers, Joe managed to run a 10:30 (crummybuttons! he beat my PR) to lead the Potters. The rest of the crew also turned in commendable finishes, but I don't have the time sheet in front of me so I don't want to give any false information.
800- Right at the gun, Austin Bradford shot off the line as quick as a Venus fly-trap and just barely lost the lead to Metamora in the final stretch. Other solid 800 times were turned in by JT, Stuey, and....I can't remember who else; maybe it was Dale. Who knows.
1600- The bad weather let up just in time for the mile. The Potters continued to show tremendous improvement in this event, putting 4 guys under 5:10. Danny Ruder ran a great race to go 4:54, becoming the first of a potentially large number of Potters to go under 5 this year. Bradford, Joe, and Pipes were also agonizingly close, coming in somewhere between 5:03-5:10.
There. That's all I can remember, and I really had to dig down deep to recall some of that information (most of which is probably not correct anyway). If anybody notices any errors, feel free to comment. Also, don't be afraid to comment about anything else either.
I'm hungry. I'm going to dinner. It's lasagna night!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
The Potters race again...
...and I take 2 days to write about it!!
On Tuesday, the Potters faced off against Washington and Limestone, at Washington, and did quite well. In weather that was virtually identical to the week before, the Potters went out and dominated most of the distance races, and posted times that were noticeably improved as well. (note that all times reported are approximate, since it's hard to keep track of everyone at once, and then to remember them all again two days later)
First off, in the 3200 relay, they started off with strong showings from several Potters. It seemed almost every athlete shaved 2-4 seconds off of their times from last week, and many of them were running alone with no competition. Of note, Austin Bradford led off the F/S team with a 2:13ish split, with Dale only a few steps behind in around 2:15-2:16. Several other Potters hit times in the 2:14-2:16 range, including Dan Getz and Jordan Thomas, with Ryland Ivins recording a sub 2:20 split as well, to keep the varsity team in the lead after his 3rd leg. This was race was run without normal relay member Nathan Smith, who was sick, and is now undoubtedly hungry to take that next step with these guys.
A few minutes later, in the 3200, the Potters nailed a 3 man sweep, putting Joe Zeller, Dan Ruder, and Nick Piper all in front of either opposing teams first man. Zeller led most of the way, and built a decisive lead with his surges early in the second mile. Ruder maintained a strong second position the whole way and Nick Piper ran a strong finish to claim 3rd after dueling with Limestones top two guys for much of the race. Times were 10:49 for Zeller, and roughly 11:10 and 11:14 for Ruder and Piper. Andrew Young also turned in a solid 12:33 to improve over last week, and Isaac Ackerman dipped under 13 minutes as well with a 12:52.
In the 800, Limestone looked very strong, and the Potters looked very tired after their hard 4x800. Still Dale Domnick I believe held on for a strong 3rd place finish in around 2:21, with several other Potters close behind.
The 1600 showed another Potter sweep again, I believe. Austin Bradford looked strong, moving up in the 2nd lap to take the lead and winning the race in 5:05, with Zeller tracking him the whole way to about 5:07. Ruder was also close behind in 5:08-5:09. Piper came in around 5:20ish, with Getz at 5:30. Stuart set another big PR in 5:41, and Andrew Young kicked in at about 5:53.
I believe that's all on the distance front for this week. Next week comes a big week, as the Potters are scheduled to race 3 times - at home - in 4 days. First up is the rescheduled duel with Peoria Central, then a duel with Metamora and Pekin. These are followed by a chance to run with the ladies at the Morton Coed Relays, site of many a breakout race, as young men challenge the limits of their bodies and their will in order to impress the young lady Potters. Look for lots of fast running, giggling, smiling and awkward high school flirting.
Former Potters race
This past weekend, at the Illinois Half-Marathon, former Potters Nathan Young and Ben Getz (he may have participated in the wrong sport, but technically he was a Potter)both had awesome races, meeting their goal of running under 1:26. Nathan ran especially well, considering he had been sick all week, and this was his first half-marathon, being twice as long as any previous race.
This past weekend, former Potter and current Bradley runner, Tim Owdom also turned in a strong 33:09 10,000 on the track at the Lee Calhoun Memorial Classic in Macomb.
In other news, Steve Gifford is now qualified to teach courses in 'How to Not Follow a Race Course' and 'How to Ruin a Race That is Going Perfectly'.
On Tuesday, the Potters faced off against Washington and Limestone, at Washington, and did quite well. In weather that was virtually identical to the week before, the Potters went out and dominated most of the distance races, and posted times that were noticeably improved as well. (note that all times reported are approximate, since it's hard to keep track of everyone at once, and then to remember them all again two days later)
First off, in the 3200 relay, they started off with strong showings from several Potters. It seemed almost every athlete shaved 2-4 seconds off of their times from last week, and many of them were running alone with no competition. Of note, Austin Bradford led off the F/S team with a 2:13ish split, with Dale only a few steps behind in around 2:15-2:16. Several other Potters hit times in the 2:14-2:16 range, including Dan Getz and Jordan Thomas, with Ryland Ivins recording a sub 2:20 split as well, to keep the varsity team in the lead after his 3rd leg. This was race was run without normal relay member Nathan Smith, who was sick, and is now undoubtedly hungry to take that next step with these guys.
A few minutes later, in the 3200, the Potters nailed a 3 man sweep, putting Joe Zeller, Dan Ruder, and Nick Piper all in front of either opposing teams first man. Zeller led most of the way, and built a decisive lead with his surges early in the second mile. Ruder maintained a strong second position the whole way and Nick Piper ran a strong finish to claim 3rd after dueling with Limestones top two guys for much of the race. Times were 10:49 for Zeller, and roughly 11:10 and 11:14 for Ruder and Piper. Andrew Young also turned in a solid 12:33 to improve over last week, and Isaac Ackerman dipped under 13 minutes as well with a 12:52.
In the 800, Limestone looked very strong, and the Potters looked very tired after their hard 4x800. Still Dale Domnick I believe held on for a strong 3rd place finish in around 2:21, with several other Potters close behind.
The 1600 showed another Potter sweep again, I believe. Austin Bradford looked strong, moving up in the 2nd lap to take the lead and winning the race in 5:05, with Zeller tracking him the whole way to about 5:07. Ruder was also close behind in 5:08-5:09. Piper came in around 5:20ish, with Getz at 5:30. Stuart set another big PR in 5:41, and Andrew Young kicked in at about 5:53.
I believe that's all on the distance front for this week. Next week comes a big week, as the Potters are scheduled to race 3 times - at home - in 4 days. First up is the rescheduled duel with Peoria Central, then a duel with Metamora and Pekin. These are followed by a chance to run with the ladies at the Morton Coed Relays, site of many a breakout race, as young men challenge the limits of their bodies and their will in order to impress the young lady Potters. Look for lots of fast running, giggling, smiling and awkward high school flirting.
Former Potters race
This past weekend, at the Illinois Half-Marathon, former Potters Nathan Young and Ben Getz (he may have participated in the wrong sport, but technically he was a Potter)both had awesome races, meeting their goal of running under 1:26. Nathan ran especially well, considering he had been sick all week, and this was his first half-marathon, being twice as long as any previous race.
This past weekend, former Potter and current Bradley runner, Tim Owdom also turned in a strong 33:09 10,000 on the track at the Lee Calhoun Memorial Classic in Macomb.
In other news, Steve Gifford is now qualified to teach courses in 'How to Not Follow a Race Course' and 'How to Ruin a Race That is Going Perfectly'.
Monday, April 13, 2009
H.E.A.R.T.
...is waking up, feeling terrible, and still racing HARD! It's the mind that drags you on and the legs that get things done.
Today though I think we all need to go back to our roots and try to get a firm handle on what it means to do our best. To do this though, I will need to call on something that everyone can relate to...hmm...the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
We all know that they there were the four legendary turtles that cleaned up the streets and now it's time to clean up the track...and though you aren't at home, you still have to clean up when you're on the road too. You have a great leader in Coach Hodel, a veritable Master Splinter if I do say so myself. And you have the legends themselves:
Today though I think we all need to go back to our roots and try to get a firm handle on what it means to do our best. To do this though, I will need to call on something that everyone can relate to...hmm...the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
We all know that they there were the four legendary turtles that cleaned up the streets and now it's time to clean up the track...and though you aren't at home, you still have to clean up when you're on the road too. You have a great leader in Coach Hodel, a veritable Master Splinter if I do say so myself. And you have the legends themselves:
- Leonardo- the brave and honorable leader who wielded the great katanas and was adherent to the code of justice.
- Donatello- was the smart strategic turtle who fought with him mind as well as bōstaff to win over his adversaries.
- Raphael- was the "bruiser" of the bunch and was fast to take an offensive approach and to not never back down from a challenge. He and his sai were ready for any fight.
- Michelangelo- was the humor in the group, but he is also very creative in how he did everything. He is the one that we look to to take the "different" approach for a solution. He wielded the nunchaku, and was pretty darn cool.
I'll let you guys fight over who is who in this grand analogy of TMNT, but remember that the turtles were great, but they had help:
- Casey Jones- the vigilante in a hockey mask who did things his own way with a variety of baseball bats, golf clubs, and hockey sticks. He was just as much a part of the team as the brothers.
- April O'Neil-(the only girl I can remember, sorry ladies) was the reporter by day yes, but she was pretty good at kicking but when it was game time. I know for a fact that she was pretty much in the middle of most of the battles too.
*Ladies I apologize that this analogy only had one female role, but this came to me today and I had to run with it.
Let's not forget though that you have enemies that you must face tomorrow. Shredder and Krang (Limestone and Washington respectively). I know that we all know that the Shredder had the Foot to do his dirty work and you too must face these enemies tomorrow. They are numerous and will not give up, and they are too afraid of their master to surrender, so show no mercy. As for Krang, you guys may or may not remember the brain dude that hung out in the robot's belly controlling things from a more subtle angle. I know that you may not feel like Washington is a threat, but don't make the same mistake the turtles did...the brain can be tricky, don't underestimate him.
So what am i trying to say? Well it's simple, don't forget you have a very smart sensei who has gone through the same trials that he asks of you and is still a great well of knowledge. Also, you are one giant family that most people pass off as being somehow "not as cool" as the sprinters and the baseball team. You don't have to worry though, it's time to show them what you're made of....it's Turtle Time!
Seriously though...run so that ever single step is the intentional movement of your body to a singular goal of improving your place...your time....yourself.
Never give up and never back down....YOU are the Morton Distance Team! earn that title.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
The Potters open the season!!
Today, the Potters opened their season against Dunlap and Canton, at Dunlap. The day was pretty cold for track season, and there was a strong headwind coming down the finishing straightaway. But it wasn't just there when you ran the straightaway into the finish....it was there for each lap!
The Potters looked good in the 4x800 with several runners in the 2:16-2:19 range. I know I'll probably miss a few names, but between the 4x800 and the 800, I believe Nathan Smith, Austin Bradford, Jordan Thomas, Dan Getz and Nick Piper all broke 2:20. A big improvement for the Potters as I believe only one guy broke 2:20 in the first 2-3 meets for the Potters last year.
Next up was the 3200, where Joe Zeller and Dan Ruder (sp?) were in control of the varsity race up front the whole time, with a Canton runner trying to hold on. Dan won in roughly 11:06, with Joe just a few steps behind. Andrew Young, Isaac Ackerman and Adam Geier also ran in the 3200, along with some other folk I don't know. That's right, I just said folk.
In the 800, Nathan Smith used a sit-and-kick approach to pull in 2nd place in the varsity race. Jordan Thomas had a big come from behind finish and gained several spots in the last 200-300 meters. Austin Bradford went out hard for the wire to wire win in the fresh/soph 800, and seemed to be trying to make a statement that he belonged in the varsity race.
In the 1600, it seemed all the Potters ran. Really, like all of them. After the pace lagged in the middle laps, things heated up near 1200 meters, and Joe Zeller rode the blazing finish to end up fourth in around 5:07. Close behind him was Ruder, followed by Piper and Domnick in around 5:12ish. Getz and Bradford were next up in 5:22 and 5:24, and Stuart Heatwole knocked out his first sub 6 minute mile with a 5:53.
The distancemen completed their day when Nathan Smith ran a strong anchor leg on the 4x400. He finished well, and move the Potters from 3rd to 2nd in the race.
All in all, I was impressed. The Potters are looking stronger than ever and improving. But don't take my word for it. Just look at the numbers. 5-6 guys under 2:20, 4 guys under 5:15, and 4x400 that beat another teams varsity sqaud. That's about where they ended the season last year, and now they're just getting started. Actually in some ways its better than they ended it last season. It looks like the Potter distancemen are ready to pick up right where there graduated seniors left off last year. Plus there is a lot of depth to back it up, with guys nipping on the heels of the front few, frosh/soph guys running strong, and big numbers in every event.
Guys, by the end of the season, I think we're going to see a Potter 4x800 relay laughing at the 9 minute mark. How many can we get under 5:00 for the mile? 5 guys? 6? Let's see what you got.
Just don't forget that the rest of the Mid-Illini is thinking the same way. Dunlaps top two distance guys looked strong, especially their top guy. Canton's top man looked good as well. I would say at this point it appeared Morton had the advantage of depth, which is a nice turnaround from last season. That's what happens when you get a group of excited cross country runners out there.
Let's use that advantage guys. Master your events. Know them. See them in your sleep. Recite the race in your head while you walk. Imagine you're racing when you walk in the halls of the school. Elbow people. Pass them. Give them the eyeball that says 'you just got owned.' In general, just be kind of creepy guys who obsess about their races.
Ok, was that kind of over the top?
Oh, and if anyone's reading, you'd better start commenting...
The Potters looked good in the 4x800 with several runners in the 2:16-2:19 range. I know I'll probably miss a few names, but between the 4x800 and the 800, I believe Nathan Smith, Austin Bradford, Jordan Thomas, Dan Getz and Nick Piper all broke 2:20. A big improvement for the Potters as I believe only one guy broke 2:20 in the first 2-3 meets for the Potters last year.
Next up was the 3200, where Joe Zeller and Dan Ruder (sp?) were in control of the varsity race up front the whole time, with a Canton runner trying to hold on. Dan won in roughly 11:06, with Joe just a few steps behind. Andrew Young, Isaac Ackerman and Adam Geier also ran in the 3200, along with some other folk I don't know. That's right, I just said folk.
In the 800, Nathan Smith used a sit-and-kick approach to pull in 2nd place in the varsity race. Jordan Thomas had a big come from behind finish and gained several spots in the last 200-300 meters. Austin Bradford went out hard for the wire to wire win in the fresh/soph 800, and seemed to be trying to make a statement that he belonged in the varsity race.
In the 1600, it seemed all the Potters ran. Really, like all of them. After the pace lagged in the middle laps, things heated up near 1200 meters, and Joe Zeller rode the blazing finish to end up fourth in around 5:07. Close behind him was Ruder, followed by Piper and Domnick in around 5:12ish. Getz and Bradford were next up in 5:22 and 5:24, and Stuart Heatwole knocked out his first sub 6 minute mile with a 5:53.
The distancemen completed their day when Nathan Smith ran a strong anchor leg on the 4x400. He finished well, and move the Potters from 3rd to 2nd in the race.
All in all, I was impressed. The Potters are looking stronger than ever and improving. But don't take my word for it. Just look at the numbers. 5-6 guys under 2:20, 4 guys under 5:15, and 4x400 that beat another teams varsity sqaud. That's about where they ended the season last year, and now they're just getting started. Actually in some ways its better than they ended it last season. It looks like the Potter distancemen are ready to pick up right where there graduated seniors left off last year. Plus there is a lot of depth to back it up, with guys nipping on the heels of the front few, frosh/soph guys running strong, and big numbers in every event.
Guys, by the end of the season, I think we're going to see a Potter 4x800 relay laughing at the 9 minute mark. How many can we get under 5:00 for the mile? 5 guys? 6? Let's see what you got.
Just don't forget that the rest of the Mid-Illini is thinking the same way. Dunlaps top two distance guys looked strong, especially their top guy. Canton's top man looked good as well. I would say at this point it appeared Morton had the advantage of depth, which is a nice turnaround from last season. That's what happens when you get a group of excited cross country runners out there.
Let's use that advantage guys. Master your events. Know them. See them in your sleep. Recite the race in your head while you walk. Imagine you're racing when you walk in the halls of the school. Elbow people. Pass them. Give them the eyeball that says 'you just got owned.' In general, just be kind of creepy guys who obsess about their races.
Ok, was that kind of over the top?
Oh, and if anyone's reading, you'd better start commenting...
Monday, April 6, 2009
H.E.A.R.T.
...is taking a day that no one else was willing to run and lacin' up, steppin' up, and runnin' hard.
I commend every one of you for such dedication last week but now I ask more of you and I hope you are satisfied with nothing but your best. The run is in you, the time has come to take it by the horns and unleash it on the Eagles. Remember:
You have flown higher and farther than that Eagle ever could...
No matter the race...no matter the competitor you have both the ability and the right to step up to the line and show what you got.
Now then to strategy...K-Hode has probably told you some great stuff and you probably know what you need to do too. But keep in mind as a great friend of mine tells me almost daily..."It isn't a sprint" and since you're the Morton Distance Team that holds true.
Never back down from the challenge of testing just how great you are, and never sell yourself short. If you do those things you are guaranteed to be happy with your results. But if you need more think of this....
every race should be competitive but you should also finish each race exhausted from how much fun you just had.
Live with passion...run with passion....be passionate and leave this meet with nothing but pride in your performance...
Nathan out
(But wait...Nathan you forgot the girls...oops sorry)
Women...
Running is a mental game that you play against the other teams and tomorrow Dunlap and Canton are in for a brain freeze.
Take every step for the singular goal of improving your lap time...your mile time...your best time.
I want each of you to realize that although you may see a few good thoughts as important, it means the difference between victory and defeat. Every positive thought that says you know that you can beat that girl three strides ahead....is you already beating her. Every step you take knowing that it is breaking away from the pack is a success. Every time you lace up and psyche up...you're making yourself much better a runner.
Run strong...get in the paper some more and make every lap the lap that Canton and Dunlap where like...AGAIN?!
**I want to apologize to you ladies for not begin better on the ball with doing motivational pieces for you gals too. I don't want you to think that the Lady Distance Team is any less than the Men's, sadly though i was not aware of your track schedule and have missed a few of your meets as a result. I will be more diligent but if you ever check before a meet and I haven't specifically addressed you guys drop me a text saying "NATHAN!!! You forgot to write!!" I will get on it with heart-felt apologizes abounding.
I commend every one of you for such dedication last week but now I ask more of you and I hope you are satisfied with nothing but your best. The run is in you, the time has come to take it by the horns and unleash it on the Eagles. Remember:
You have flown higher and farther than that Eagle ever could...
No matter the race...no matter the competitor you have both the ability and the right to step up to the line and show what you got.
Now then to strategy...K-Hode has probably told you some great stuff and you probably know what you need to do too. But keep in mind as a great friend of mine tells me almost daily..."It isn't a sprint" and since you're the Morton Distance Team that holds true.
Never back down from the challenge of testing just how great you are, and never sell yourself short. If you do those things you are guaranteed to be happy with your results. But if you need more think of this....
every race should be competitive but you should also finish each race exhausted from how much fun you just had.
Live with passion...run with passion....be passionate and leave this meet with nothing but pride in your performance...
Nathan out
(But wait...Nathan you forgot the girls...oops sorry)
Women...
Running is a mental game that you play against the other teams and tomorrow Dunlap and Canton are in for a brain freeze.
Take every step for the singular goal of improving your lap time...your mile time...your best time.
I want each of you to realize that although you may see a few good thoughts as important, it means the difference between victory and defeat. Every positive thought that says you know that you can beat that girl three strides ahead....is you already beating her. Every step you take knowing that it is breaking away from the pack is a success. Every time you lace up and psyche up...you're making yourself much better a runner.
Run strong...get in the paper some more and make every lap the lap that Canton and Dunlap where like...AGAIN?!
**I want to apologize to you ladies for not begin better on the ball with doing motivational pieces for you gals too. I don't want you to think that the Lady Distance Team is any less than the Men's, sadly though i was not aware of your track schedule and have missed a few of your meets as a result. I will be more diligent but if you ever check before a meet and I haven't specifically addressed you guys drop me a text saying "NATHAN!!! You forgot to write!!" I will get on it with heart-felt apologizes abounding.
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