@Warren with Libertyville and Lake County Invite

Iris on her way to a lifetime PR in the 800: 3:19!

Cora blowing away the field in the open 800. She ran a lifetime PR of 2:51 :)

Joseline and Tori pushing each other to lifetime PRs in the 1600: 6:04 and 6:05 respectively. :)

This week we had some nice breakthroughs from many of you!  We started the week at Warren's new track.  While the facility was very nice, it was pretty windy for most of the meet.  We didn't care, though...it was just nice to see the sun finally!  In the 4X800 we had some solid performances.  Joseline got out in a great opening split of 74, and finished with a match of her lifetime PR of 2:41--great job!  Rachel and Lindsay ran solid splits of 3:03 and 3:04.  Iris rounded out our relay with a lifetime PR of 3:19--nice work! 

We struggled a bit mentally in the 3200; all three racers agreed that they let themselves get intimidated by Warren's strong record from XC, leading them to forget about their own race plans.  I know that they all learned from this race, though.  ;) 

In the 800, Cora electrified our team with her early and dramatic lead.  She looked like Cora from the end of XC...dominating the field!  She finished with a lifetime PR of 2:51--outstanding!  Yazmin was in the same heat of the race and also came away with a lifetime PR of 3:30--great job!

In the 300 hurdles, Riley had a great race and ran a lifetime PR of 56.  I know she will continue to chip away at that time! 

There were two heats of the mile as well.  In heat one, Rachel went out strong and looked like her old cross-country self.  During lap three, Karielle woke up and realized she could run with her buddy.  They pushed each other for a bit before Karielle took the lead of that pack.  She finished in a lifetime PR of 6:45 and looked like she had more to give!  Rachel finished in 6:50.  In the varsity heat, Joseline and Tori looked like two women on a mission.  They pushed each other throughout the race to produce two lifetime PRs:   6:04 and 6:05.  I know that when they revisit this race, they will both crack that 6:00 barrier. 

We finished the day strong with two great PRs in the 4X400.  Alexis started her relay strong with a lifetime PR of 65.  Her form looked perfect!  Kaley came back in a later leg to match that time, looking angry the whole way!  I was really impressed with these two performances--way to go ladies! 

Overall, there were many bright spots, but we need to work on the mental aspect of racing, per our "secret hallway" conversation.  I know I will see improvements next Monday!  Click here for splits.  Click here for 4X400 Splits

On Thursday, Varsity traveled to Grayslake North for the Lake County Invite.  Although this meet was a tremendous jump in terms of the level of competition (especially since we did not get to race at the Antioch Invite), we handled the challenge very well.  Maira and Lindsay started us strong in the 3200.  Lindsay finally broke the 14:00 barrier by running a new lifetime PR in 13:54, and Maira was right behind her in 13:55, only a second shy of her lifetime PR.  What I liked most about this race is that neither of you was satisfied afterwards, despite the nice times.  I know you both saw missed opportunities to improve...I'm counting on those lessons transferring to your races at Conference next week. 

In the 4X800, Alexis ran a PERFECT first lap.  Her gradual cut-in on the back stretch was picture-perfect because she waited for the right spot and stayed out of all the jostling in the 17-team pack.  I know you can get that second lap to be where you want it to be...Karli was our second leg, and she looked great.  She went out in a strong 76 and finished with a lifetime PR of 2:43.  Tori ran a more even race, finishing with a lifetime PR of 2:41.  Joseline ran a solid race, matching her lifetime PR of 2:41.  I know that all four of you can dip into the 2:30s next week--you are ready! 

After some nerves got the best of her last week, Kaley ran a great race in the open 800.  She went out STRONG, running 33 for the first 200 and going through the line in 69.  Tremendous!  She finished strong with a lifetime PR of 2:30.  I know that she can dip into the 2:20s at Conference if she stays awake in the final 200. 

Before the mile, I was really nervous.  Both of our milers have been on reduced training and were feeling questionable before the race.  As soon as the gun went off, my fears were allayed; these Ana and Kimmy looked great!  Ana started the race very strong in a 79 while Kimmy sat back in a more conservative 83.  In the third lap, Kimmy made a strong move within the pack, nearly catching Ana.  In the final lap, Ana had a stronger kick, running an 89 and finishing in a lifetime PR of 5:59.89 and breaking the 6:00 barrier.  Kimmy had a great finish as well, running a lifetime PR of 6:03.  After this race, I could not stop talking about it--I am proud of both of you for such GUTSY performances.  Way to go, bees!  :) 

Kaley finished off the day with an amazing performance in the 4X400.  After receiving the baton a bit further back than we would hope, Kaley ran a controlled but aggressive leg, pulling us back into the race.  Her 65 (matching her lifetime PR) looked great! 

Overall, this was a good day, ladies!  I look forward to seeing more improvements next week. :)  Click here for Lake County splits.