NSC Quad #3 @ Mundelein w/Libertyville & Warren

After two weeks of heat, I was concerned coming into this meet. At practice on Monday, I heard you all as you talked about soreness, heaviness, and dings. Last year, we struggled at Mundelein because the course is tough and we were a bit beat up then, too. I feared we would have a repeat.

Boy was I wrong!

I asked you all to treat the meet as a workout--packing for the first mile; turning up the second mile; and racing the third mile. Standing at "The Hill," I was so happy to see packs rolling toward me, looking strong. I was thrilled to watch you all attack the hill with energy that I had not seen the day prior. Rachel, WC, Alivia, Juju, & Norah were in a tight pack, followed by Fernanda & Kyranni looking strong with Sofie working to them. Charisma, Eva, & Lili looked so great powering up the hill, feeding off each other's power.  Next came Carla, Nathaly & Yaritza in a tight pack with Cici, Dani, & Temi close behind. Divonalynn pulled so hard on this trio, looking powerful up the hill. Jocell rounded out our group, pressing up the hill with great form!  In the second loop, I could see how you all stepped it up! Rachel led our varsity crew with a strong second mile, really opening up. She gave Alivia & Arwen a great target, who in turn pulled Juju & Norah. Fernanda had a huge race today, and her middle mile showed it all: she moved closer to varsity and acted as a beacon for Sofie & Kyranni. Charisma and Eva did such a great job of pushing one another--they worked the hill together for a second time and pulled Lili! Nathaly & Yaritza did the same--they drove up the hill, inspiring Cici to press just as hard. Carla kept pulling on Cici, and Temi & Dani were working so hard together, too! In the final loop, I was so excited to see everyone PUSHING. You all really understood the assignment. I didn't get to see kicks, but if our bus ride home is any indication, your kicks were cookin'!  

Speaking of the bus ride, the vibe was so positive, and that started during the cool down. It felt like Deerfield all over again--lots of love being shared! It felt great to see you take goofy pictures post-race. And I appreciated your honest shout outs and genuine love for each other on the bus ride home. We are really becoming a team--you are leaning on each other in races and lifting each other up like the true queens that you are. I'm here for it!  This will help propel us into the end of the season.

Special shout outs to the following bees who hit some nice times despite the "workout" nature of this race:  Juju had a great race, earning a season PR of 22:23--impressive effort, Juju! On this tricky course, Yaritza had a great day. Not only did she drop a whopping 53 seconds for a new LPR, but she chose to bounce back after she was disappointed at JT. Proud of your effort, Yaritza! Like Yaritza, Fernanda ran out of her mind today, too. She bid the 25s goodbye by hitting mile two hard and embracing the last mile. She dropped a big 30 seconds despite the hill. So proud of your hard work in the second half, Fernanda! And finally, Charisma kept her streak going despite the challenges of the course. She shed another seven seconds, and is close to bidding the 27s goodbye. I think Lakes is a great place to make that happen! While it is fun to celebrate these PR milestones, it's important to note that you all raced with focus and grit. When I took away the pressure of racing by calling it a workout, you all stepped up!

Most of you have two weeks and two races left:  Lakes (Friday) and Conference at Warren the following week on Saturday. We are going to sharpen up our fitness so that you are ready to race fast at these two great courses. I cannot wait to see you all shine!