Cross Country highlights

As the cross country season comes to an end, with the exception of TCS' speedy 7th grader going to Nationals, I reflect on some of the things I will remember from this fall's XC season:

• TCS' first home XC race
• Watching 1st grader Sam win the first ever Owlet race, and many more close runs between him and 4th grader Ian on the TCS campus
• MUD! When the older runners premiered their new uniforms at Chase Collegiate, they got nothing but muddy.
• The Owlets vs. Coaches & Parents race -- the Owlets proved that they do fly without wings! As a coach, timing your runners is one thing, but racing with them is another. Those kids are definitely speedy.
• Watching Christopher Y. take off 30 seconds from his Owlet race time
• Seeing the older runners cheer on the Owlets when running hills
• Running the Litchfield "Age Before Beauty" 5k, then cheering on all runners at the (chilly!) Junior Olympics

In the middle of the season, though not known to some, I ran the Hartford Half Marathon on behalf of the Country School. Last year I laced up my sneakers for the race, my first half marathon at the time, in memory of a few friends. It was a beautiful day, and one that I will always remember. This year it only seemed fitting to run with my students, and so I had them sign my t-shirt, which I wore through 13.1 very rainy miles. I was unable to have all of the XC runners sign it before the race, but I still wore it proudly.

It was exciting to be a cross country coach this year, not only to meet new students that I do not see outside of class, but to also share a common hobby with kids of all ages. I enjoyed seeing everyone progress over the course of the season, and look forward to upcoming years as well. Being a coach at TCS gives me the opportunity to be a leader and watch the TCS runners grow into their own leaders. It also gives me a great sense of pride knowing that I am part of a wonderful and welcoming community.

Here's to many more miles, rain or shine!