February the month of cold weather, cloudy skies, snow flurries out of no where...and Track season starting up!!
Welcome all to a new era of the Morton Track program: a real distance program.
First i would like to say that one of the Creators started something great and showed Morton what happens if you put a real coach in the Track program. Let us all take a moment to remember how far that man brought us in 53 days. Now the administration had taken a step that could not be possible without Steve. K-Hode is at the helm!
Now if you don't know the history, here is a quick run down. Kevin Hodel was great runner for Metamora back long ago in a galaxy down the road and most likely on few cross country courses you've ran on. He won Conference every year he competed and is a U of I alumni as well! He is also a pretty sweet teacher teaching my discipline of choice: Chemistry
But what does this all amount to? A track meeting before February 18th, and a track PRACTICE before February 20th! I don't know if that has ever happened in my memory. So now the ball is rolling, the shoes have a few laces again and the Distance Hierarchy is about to be set on fire....AGAIN. Giffy and K-Hode....the one-two punch to Mid-Illini.
What was can be again...do ya want it bad enough?
Monday, February 23, 2009
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Chili Hilly!
With talk of the Chili Hilly starting to heat up, I think that it's time that I formally address it on this site. I will go over exactly what it is, some important details and hopefully get you super pumped up for this event!
The Chili Hilly is by far the best racing weekend I have ever experienced. Last year, Dave, Dan, myself and our cousin Grant Zimmerman (who some of you may know as he's a Morton XC alumni) went out to Martinsville, Indiana for this "stage race" and had the time of our lives.
This year the Chili Hilly is Saturday January 24th and Sunday the 25th. There are 5 different races run over the two days and all the races cover beautiful but difficult terrain. The first two races are held on Saturday, a 10K and 4 mile. Then on Sunday, the weekend is concluded with a 5K, 10 mile, and 1 mile. Participants can either run as individuals or as part of a team (consisting of 2 to 5 runners). Invitational Cross Country scoring is used, so it is your place in each race that counts and not your time. Your final tally is the sum of your places in all five races.
While it is awesome and challenging to run all 5 races at the Chili Hilly, it is not required. You are able to pick and choose any combination of races.
Nathan, Dave, and I will be returning to Morton for Thanksgiving break, so we will be able to give you a more complete run down in person. Personally, I am super excited to do this race again this year and would love to have a bunch of you join us.
The Chili Hilly is by far the best racing weekend I have ever experienced. Last year, Dave, Dan, myself and our cousin Grant Zimmerman (who some of you may know as he's a Morton XC alumni) went out to Martinsville, Indiana for this "stage race" and had the time of our lives.
This year the Chili Hilly is Saturday January 24th and Sunday the 25th. There are 5 different races run over the two days and all the races cover beautiful but difficult terrain. The first two races are held on Saturday, a 10K and 4 mile. Then on Sunday, the weekend is concluded with a 5K, 10 mile, and 1 mile. Participants can either run as individuals or as part of a team (consisting of 2 to 5 runners). Invitational Cross Country scoring is used, so it is your place in each race that counts and not your time. Your final tally is the sum of your places in all five races.
While it is awesome and challenging to run all 5 races at the Chili Hilly, it is not required. You are able to pick and choose any combination of races.
Nathan, Dave, and I will be returning to Morton for Thanksgiving break, so we will be able to give you a more complete run down in person. Personally, I am super excited to do this race again this year and would love to have a bunch of you join us.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The Race of Honor
In case anybody still reads this blog, I have some important news.
Due to circumstances beyond my control (like, for example, the scheduling of the DI NCAA Cross Country Championships on Monday, Nov. 24), I am pulling out of the Turkey Trot. However, I am still not going to go this entire fall without holding the Race of Honor. Thus, I am proposing (actually, I'm declaring) the Race of Honor be moved to the FOLEPI River Trail Classic in East Peoria on Saturday, Nov. 29. It's a 4-mile race that is primarily down hill and there's tons of food to eat afterwards.
So, all who were still planning on the Race of Honor being at the Turkey Trot, by all means, still race that day if you like. I, however, will not be making the trip home for that Sunday. Rather, I will be focusing all my efforts on the FOLEPI race the proceeding Saturday. If, for some reason, something drastic occurs and I can make it home for the Turkey Trot, there will then be 2 Races of Honor that will go down that week.
Congratulations again on a great season, and I hope to see lots of you in East Peoria on the 29th!
Dave
Due to circumstances beyond my control (like, for example, the scheduling of the DI NCAA Cross Country Championships on Monday, Nov. 24), I am pulling out of the Turkey Trot. However, I am still not going to go this entire fall without holding the Race of Honor. Thus, I am proposing (actually, I'm declaring) the Race of Honor be moved to the FOLEPI River Trail Classic in East Peoria on Saturday, Nov. 29. It's a 4-mile race that is primarily down hill and there's tons of food to eat afterwards.
So, all who were still planning on the Race of Honor being at the Turkey Trot, by all means, still race that day if you like. I, however, will not be making the trip home for that Sunday. Rather, I will be focusing all my efforts on the FOLEPI race the proceeding Saturday. If, for some reason, something drastic occurs and I can make it home for the Turkey Trot, there will then be 2 Races of Honor that will go down that week.
Congratulations again on a great season, and I hope to see lots of you in East Peoria on the 29th!
Dave
Monday, November 3, 2008
IHSA Sectional - The Heat Is On
The Heat Is On
Ok, so I don't know if you all know Glenn Frey's wonderful '80s hit or not, but either way, the heat was on Saturday morning in East Peoria, in more ways than one.
First up was the temperature. Now that area runners have finally gotten used to the weeks of cool 45-50 degree days (and a few 35 degree ones as well), the weather threw a wrench in things and tossed a 65 degree day at us for the final race of the year. The other heat was applied by the front runners in the race, as both races went out in blisteringly fast paces. The two types of heat took their toll as the second half of the race was visibly tough for the Potters - and all the runners racing that day.
Girls
The girls race started out very fast, and the Potters were spread out very quickly. The first mile was quick with Ashley Pribble leading the Potters in 6:02. On East Peoria's rough course (think of it as up-elbows-up-down-down-treeroot-up-up-down-level-up-anklerollingholeintheground-up-down-up-cheeringfans-up-down-level-up-up-down-gravel-down-down-finish), the Potters held their own well after having been hoovered into a fast pace by the early leaders. Many (most?) of the Potters ran near their personal bests in the tough race. The Pribbles led the Potters, followed by Grace, then Macaela and Ashley Coon, then Lauren and Brooke. I hope I've got that order completely correct. You can yell at me if I don't.
Boys
The boys race was the same way, fast at the beginning and painful at the end. But who would have a race any other way than painful at the end? Joe Zeller led the Potters early, passing the mile in 5:00. And he wasn't anywhere near the front. The leaders took it out hard, probably passing the mile in around 4:45 or so. During the second mile, thing started to slow for all, and it became apparent that many - from all teams - were suffering in the new heat. Zeller lead the Potters through the 2 mile in 10:53, followed by Austin and Dale leading the rest of the pack in around 11:20 or so.
In the end, Zeller led the Potters, followed by Dale, then Austin. Next in line were Jared, Nathan and Nick. Tate rounded out the Potters team.
Summary
I don't know how you all feel about this season, but I'm going to tell you my main thought about it. In what could be described as a rebuilding year - you lost some seniors last year and are mostly a young team this year - the Potters, both boys and girls, showed significant improvements, and got a taste of what it's like to race with the best in the area.
The Mid-Illini and the Peoria area are going to be loaded the next few years. There are a lot of talented and hard working young runners in the freshman-sophomore-and junior classes from many different schools. You now know what it takes to improve, you know what it's like to race with the top dogs, and you've got what it takes to do it.
I've got 6 words for you, and these words are meant to motivate you for more, not to be content with what you've done: Think how far you have come.
Friday
Jorge Torres, 2008 10k Olympian, the only guy to win State in XC 3 times and to qualify for Footlocker 4 times, will be in Peoria Friday at Running Central Friday, along with Nick Willis, the Olympic Bronze Medalist at 1500. If you want to go meet them and get something signed, head on over. See the Running Central website for times and more info.
Saturday
The IHSA State Meet is next Saturday at Detweiller. I'll be there, along with the rest of the Four Creators. We'll be likely getting in an easy run out there, maybe between races, or maybe we'll try and hop in to one of them. As long as I don't win, no one will notice, right? I know some of the guys were planning on taking an easy week off and maybe getting a run in out there, so we hope to see you there. There's been some talk of some type of party/gathering/get-together/hoopla/brouhaha/shindig/fellowship-event/extravaganza, so we'll let you know if we hear more.
Awards
These awards go for last Saturday's race, and later we might put some up for the entire season.
That's all for now. Excellent job this season, and I hope to see you Saturday.
Ok, so I don't know if you all know Glenn Frey's wonderful '80s hit or not, but either way, the heat was on Saturday morning in East Peoria, in more ways than one.
First up was the temperature. Now that area runners have finally gotten used to the weeks of cool 45-50 degree days (and a few 35 degree ones as well), the weather threw a wrench in things and tossed a 65 degree day at us for the final race of the year. The other heat was applied by the front runners in the race, as both races went out in blisteringly fast paces. The two types of heat took their toll as the second half of the race was visibly tough for the Potters - and all the runners racing that day.
Girls
The girls race started out very fast, and the Potters were spread out very quickly. The first mile was quick with Ashley Pribble leading the Potters in 6:02. On East Peoria's rough course (think of it as up-elbows-up-down-down-treeroot-up-up-down-level-up-anklerollingholeintheground-up-down-up-cheeringfans-up-down-level-up-up-down-gravel-down-down-finish), the Potters held their own well after having been hoovered into a fast pace by the early leaders. Many (most?) of the Potters ran near their personal bests in the tough race. The Pribbles led the Potters, followed by Grace, then Macaela and Ashley Coon, then Lauren and Brooke. I hope I've got that order completely correct. You can yell at me if I don't.
Boys
The boys race was the same way, fast at the beginning and painful at the end. But who would have a race any other way than painful at the end? Joe Zeller led the Potters early, passing the mile in 5:00. And he wasn't anywhere near the front. The leaders took it out hard, probably passing the mile in around 4:45 or so. During the second mile, thing started to slow for all, and it became apparent that many - from all teams - were suffering in the new heat. Zeller lead the Potters through the 2 mile in 10:53, followed by Austin and Dale leading the rest of the pack in around 11:20 or so.
In the end, Zeller led the Potters, followed by Dale, then Austin. Next in line were Jared, Nathan and Nick. Tate rounded out the Potters team.
Summary
I don't know how you all feel about this season, but I'm going to tell you my main thought about it. In what could be described as a rebuilding year - you lost some seniors last year and are mostly a young team this year - the Potters, both boys and girls, showed significant improvements, and got a taste of what it's like to race with the best in the area.
The Mid-Illini and the Peoria area are going to be loaded the next few years. There are a lot of talented and hard working young runners in the freshman-sophomore-and junior classes from many different schools. You now know what it takes to improve, you know what it's like to race with the top dogs, and you've got what it takes to do it.
I've got 6 words for you, and these words are meant to motivate you for more, not to be content with what you've done: Think how far you have come.
Friday
Jorge Torres, 2008 10k Olympian, the only guy to win State in XC 3 times and to qualify for Footlocker 4 times, will be in Peoria Friday at Running Central Friday, along with Nick Willis, the Olympic Bronze Medalist at 1500. If you want to go meet them and get something signed, head on over. See the Running Central website for times and more info.
Saturday
The IHSA State Meet is next Saturday at Detweiller. I'll be there, along with the rest of the Four Creators. We'll be likely getting in an easy run out there, maybe between races, or maybe we'll try and hop in to one of them. As long as I don't win, no one will notice, right? I know some of the guys were planning on taking an easy week off and maybe getting a run in out there, so we hope to see you there. There's been some talk of some type of party/gathering/get-together/hoopla/brouhaha/shindig/fellowship-event/extravaganza, so we'll let you know if we hear more.
Awards
These awards go for last Saturday's race, and later we might put some up for the entire season.
- The Rocky Award - goes to both Dale and Austin, for stepping up, racing well, and finishing farther up the Morton rankings than I believe they have all season.
That's all for now. Excellent job this season, and I hope to see you Saturday.
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