Cross Country

I hadn’t run in years. YEARS! So I was surprised when Tate asked if I wanted to be the Cross Country Coach. I told him that if nobody else wanted the position, I would take it. When school started on August 17th, so did practice with Dolly Ann, Fewnia, Kaleb, & Simeon as my runners.

The first week of practice, we went over proper running techniques, breathing exercises, work out routines that focused on certain areas, & our goals. My runners aren’t the biggest fans of Cross Country. They would rather play basketball or volleyball… & I don’t blame them! Running didn’t really interest me, so I decided I was going to jog & do all the exercises with them.

Mondays, Wednesdays, & Fridays we would do stretches & long runs (3-3.6 miles) & Tuesdays & Thursdays was a shorter run/bike with a side of circuit exercises. Before you know it, September 12th rolled around & we were on our way to Naknek for Regional Cross Country and Science Camp.

While the runners spent their day at the school doing various interactive learning activities with Bristol Bay & LPSD students, I was in King Salmon for my annual pre-school training. I would leave training an hour early & head back to BB school for XC practice.

Finally, Thursday the 15th approached. Race Day. The students anxiously awaited the running hour. The middle school students were the first to leave the START line at 4:00 PM. At a quarter-to-five the High School girls stood at line. When the horn blew, Dolly & Fewnia were off in the cluster of runners. I cheered them on & impatiently awaited their return. We had run the course the previous day, so I had a general idea of when to expect them to come back.

Doll was the first to round the corner. A girl close on her heels. “Push it! Finish Strong! Way to go Doll!” I hollered at the sidelines. The girl behind Dolly Ann was determined to pass her & tried to fill in the gap. Doll sped up & beat her to the finish line where I was there to meet her with a smile & water. A few minutes later, Fewnia was approaching the finish line. Again I ran to the sidelines to cheer & meet her at the finish line.

At 5:15 PM, the horn blew for the high school boys. Simeon had injured himself a week prior to the race, so Kaleb was my only runner. In my excitement for the race & attempts to snap pictures, I missed setting my timer! The first 4 or 5 runners to cross the finish line were from Port Alsworth, followed by several BB boys. I saw a spot of green in the distance & knew it was Kaleb. His family, teammates, & I cheered him on to the finish line. As soon as he saw me he asked what place he was in, but I had lost track. Hopefully we will find out soon what their times & places were.

After the races, students ate a spaghetti dinner & then hurried to the auditorium for awards. The top 3 boys & girls in the high school races would qualify for State. Two girls from BB & one from Port Alsworth & three boys from Port Alsworth represented our two school districts at State. Later that evening, all students (including our middle schoolers) were able to choose between going to a dance, watching a movie in the auditorium, or going to the pool.

I’m proud of my runners. They all did a great job & tried their best. Our month long season was pretty short, but it got us all in shape & ready for volleyball season. From trying my hardest to beat Kaleb in biking (didn’t happen, but I did come awfully close), seeing the difference in our “before” & “after” times, & increasing our endurance & stamina, I enjoyed the challenges my peers gave me. I especially reveled in experiencing our small victories. Thanks for choosing me to be your coach!

This four night five day trip has also made me realize that the floors have become harder since 2000, cell phones & wireless internet change the whole dynamics of school trips, I am ready for bed time a lot sooner than my freshman year travels, girls will always be up late “whispering” & giggling, & girls will also always be up super early to “be the first to the showers.” Experiencing LPSD trips both as a student & as a chaperone, makes me appreciate the teachers, coaches, & chaperones who have had to watch us over the years! QUYANA!!!