Grant Regional

It's so easy to play the "What if..." Game after a day like Saturday.

Let me backtrack:  I was feeling SO optimistic after talking with Arwen on Monday. As I projected the simulation on my screen, she pointed and proclaimed, "Now that I am in the nineteens, I know that I can run faster. I can beat her and her and her and her. And if I do that, I know that Rachel and Alivia and Norah and April and Kyranni will go with me." Her confidence was infectious. And then we ran the time trial and more impressively, the 8-4-2 workout with everyone packed SO CLOSELY. And even though April was sick, I was confident in her grit and that she had plenty of time to recover by Saturday. And then Arwen taught our pack a French word when she shared her race plan with the team:  Ensemble. I was convinced that Lady Luck would be on our side on Saturday.

This time of year requires two elements to come together:  a summer and season of growth plus a little luck. I have been at this long enough to know that we can only control our part, and control it we did. You all worked SO HARD this summer and season. When the weather was toasty, you kept your heads up and celebrated the small wins. You honed your competitiveness and leaned into each other. And when we had that magical race at Sterling, I was so proud that you let your fitness and mindsets shine. You stepped into the moment.

So when Arwen got sick at the end of the week, I couldn't help but feel robbed. She was the one who had offered such optimism at the beginning of the week; it did not seem fair that she would pick up a bug that left her barely able to speak let alone get a good night's rest or even think of racing.

What helped me get over that robbery was our ensemble. You remaining five didn't let Arwen's absence change your plans, though. I know it was a gut-punch to not have our Woman King at the meet, but you shook it off and got to work. I could not be more proud of that!  There are adults who have not mastered the skill of letting things go, but you five warmed up, got to the line, and fought HARD for each other.

Prior to the meet, we were seeded 9th as a team. And today, the five of you matched that seed without our #3.

At the start, I watched you power up the hill for the first time, and then I headed over to the bridge--about 800 meters into the race. I was stoked to see Rachel in her normal spot as our pack leader, setting the pace with a great start. Liv and Norah were only steps away. April was only seconds behind, looking strong. And little Nani was up so close to April! I was so happy as I raced to the hill to see you after the baseball diamonds. 

At the almost halfway point, we were looking so good! I was too excited to snap any pictures because Rachel, Liv, and Norah were three-strong going into the woods. April was doing such a great job of pulling on them, and Nani was in full race-mode. She whipped her glasses off and then whipped around the bend into the woods. 

The final time up the hill, everyone was looking so gritty. I knew that Rachel was having a tough time (she later revealed that she had rolled her ankle in the woods and her stomach was rebelling), but I am so proud of the way she shook it off and fought in the last loop. Norah was having an incredible race, pulling on Liv. And Liv? She was racing second-half strong, popping up the hill and working on sleepy runners. April pulled up with a pack of Libertyville girls and did such a great job of pushing past them. And Nani? She was working on a Mundelein runner, pressing past her once up the hill. I was so proud of the way everyone was racing!

Coming out of the woods for the last time, Liv was leading our pack and making moves. She caught so many people after the bridge in that final 400! She edged out a Warren racer in the final moments, finishing only two seconds off her LPR from last week at Warren's far easier course.

Norah was our next finisher with a race that matched her prep this week. She was in such a sunny place all week--owning her fitness and looking like her competitive self from last year. What a stark difference today compared to her first Regional race as a freshie--nearly 4 minutes faster than that day! More importantly, her goofy demeanor and positive mindset helped keep the mood right all day. She nearly matched her SPR, too! I want to point out that this was a conscious choice. We talked early in the week about her showing her true self, and she responded to that talk SO WELL. So proud of you, Norah!

Rachel ran a gritty race despite Lady Luck cruelly turning her back on her. As a senior and captain, Rachel has been our beacon all season. Early in the summer, she stepped up to help shape our pack. At Oshkosh, she was a new woman--enjoying the work and leading with confidence. She helped set paces, taught the newbees the wheres and hows of the week, and led by example. And once the season started, she was our race leader, providing strength and a positive mindset as our pack started to find its way. Last year, I didn't know if Rachel would keep racing; she was struggling with finding meaning in competition, and she couldn't get out of a negative spiral. But to her credit, she kept putting one foot in front of the other, and ended last season on a positive with a great Sectional race. Today, she was a bit rattled by the pressure of the day, and Woman King's absence did not help. I know how much she loves this team and wanted to help us continue our Sectional streak. I also know that if last year's Rachel had to face today's obstacles, she would have struggled. Today's Rachel, however, shook off her nerves, fixed her face, and boldly raced. Even though she rolled her ankle and was dealing with a rude stomach, she kept pushing so hard, getting out hard for our pack, working with Liv and Norah in the middle, and finishing strong at the end. I'm proud of you, Rachel! It's easy to race when it's an "A" Day; true character shows when the day is rude and you step up anyway. 

April was our #4 today with an equally gritty race. Two weeks in a row, she has had to manage a weird pain under her ribs. She also had not fully kicked the respiratory bug she picked up at the end of last week, so I wouldn't be surprised if her labored breathing was the source of the cramp. Like Rachel, she has come so far in a year. As a freshie, she was part of our varsity alternate group that raced at Sterling. This year, she has managed the pressure of Varsity with a quiet grit. She has been locked in all season, working hard at improving as a runner. Despite not feeling 100%, she ran over a minute faster than JT on the same course, and SO much faster than last year! She fought so hard for her team today, and I could not be more proud!

Kyranni was our #5 today. She has been so impressive as a freshie on Varsity. On this very course, she stepped up for her first Varsity race back in September. Today, she was so locked in! When she whipped her glasses off, I knew that it was going to be a good day for her. Not only did she run a new LPR (a seven-second drop from last week at Warren), she also ran nearly THREE minutes faster than at JT! What a day! More importantly, she kept a positive mindset, all day, offering smiles on the starting line and shout outs on the bus. Proud of you, freshie!

I'm so proud of this group. You could have made excuses or given up. Instead, you took Arwen's advice from afar:  you stuck with the plan, racing as an ensemble, That kind of race erases "What ifs" for me. I know that we did everything in our power given the events of the day, and I could not be more proud. 

Speaking of proud, CONGRATS to Alivia for qualifying for Sectionals for a third year in a row! I could see when she switched to track last spring that she was starting to become a different kind of racer. Track is so good for helping to hone racing skills, and Alivia was a diligent student. This summer, something shifted for her, though. She really became a joyful runner, leaning into racing opportunities and applying her 800 speed to workouts and races. And this fall? She ran fearlessly, letting herself become the racer she wanted to bee! Today, that consistent work and growth came together for a great race. I'd say it was the draw of getting to race in a pink uniform next week, but I know it is all her. :) Alivia gives us a chance to practice together one more week and continue our streak of competing at the Sectional. I know she would rather be with the ensemble on the starting line, but as Cici, Eva, Candy, Dani, and Baby J so eloquently explained before the race in their Thought of the Day, we will all bee there with her, all over the course. 

Speaking of Eva, Cici, Candy, Dani, and Baby J: special shout out to them for their kind words and support at the Regional. I can't express how grateful I am for their giving spirit, funny sign, and loud cheers in the woods. You could have been in bed or anywhere else on Saturday, but you chose your team. You showed your linked spirit, and I am grateful! Shout out to all the boys who brought food, yelled like crazy, and helped support our ensemble, too. 

Let's have another great week, bees! :)