Away @ Bow, 10/14/2020
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Among the more interesting things in cross country running is the fact that unlike most other playing “fields”, no two cross country courses are the same. While they are all different, some do start to feel overly familiar when you run them year in and year out. Which is why going to Bow was so unique - never in the history of MVXC have we ever run that course! A brand new never-ever course! Should have brought my disc golf discs…
Lined up team-pursuit style, the MV girls in the first group were sent out 30 seconds ahead of Bow’s first group, then the next MV group, then Bow’s second group, followed by a final wave of Bow runners. While interesting in that runners were all over the place and there may have been some fun pursuing and keep-away-ing going on, it made it quite complicated to tell who was really where. The exception, of course, was Sophia up front playing keep away. While she never did get to the point where she could play a whole 18 holes of disc golf in the Bow woods (there was a course on the trail), she did find time to cast a line or two in the secret pond out back. She also ended the #1 Bow girls season-long undefeated streak.
As the uppy-downy course played out, it was clear that the fall leaves inspired one MV runner - Victoria. Steadily moving ever forward, she crept up to the point of touching Carlie on the shoulder, while Carlie, arriving at the thankfully flat track that contained exactly ZERO hills, threw in a “goodbye kick” to maintain seniority, for now. Samantha, racing at approximately 13,000 feet elevation, cruised in for a solid 4th position on the team. Alyssa, taking a momentary break from her list of activities that is too long to list here, was our 5th runner on the day. Next up was Liz, whose blistering kick down the final stretch caused lane one to melt into bubbling, boiling, rubber. Liz doesn’t do the end of practice strides each day, and now I know the true reason. She’s saving the speed!
Looking at the results shows a true rarity; in fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever seen it in an XC race. A tie! MacNeill tied for 19th with a Bow runner. Photo evidence please, because we know Smiley Mac can outkick anyone (except Anna)! Speaking of Anna, she was the next one in, followed closely by Violet. Next race we expect to see the cartwheel into a split move you practice every day at practice. Emmaleigh finished strong in the middle of a sea of Bow girls, followed by strong races from Trinity and Taylor, who no doubt did not forget to enjoy the beauty of the fall leaves as they ran gracefully through the beauty of an October fall day.
With no official starting gun or horn, the coaches were caught off guard when the boys sprinted out for what appeared to be a warmup stride but never stopped. The first wave (consisting of everyone except for Trevor and Aiden) got off to a quick start on the hilly course as Bow’s top boys chased them from a 30-second staggered start. In the second wave of MV runners, Trevor vocally expressed his disdain for Bow’s race-starting system and cursed his way throughout the entire 5 kilometers. In the latter half of the first loop, Bow had caught up to MV’s top runners and started forming a gap. Ethan held on for dear life but Bow clearly had the advantage on their home course. Within striking distance of Ethan was the power duo of Marshall and Oliver, both taking an aggressive approach on the tough course. Behind them, Elisha pushed hard to keep the top four close together. This order remained the same as the top four sprinted to the finish line within 50 seconds of each other. The battle for MV’s fifth spot took place between Jack and Trevor, despite the fact that they started in separate waves and their true placement wouldn’t be known until the end of the race. In the end, Jack closed out the top five for MV and ran a minute faster than last Saturday, proving how important it is to keep pushing in the last mile. Though Trevor’s outspoken wrath continued past the finish line, he still finished as MV’s 6th runner and earned a solid time on a difficult course. Finishing five seconds after him was Ryan who was still feeling dizzy after having to cartwheel around spectators during the race. Zach finished ten seconds behind him to complete a strong MV trio. In only his second race since being a part of the injury crew, Aiden closed out the race for MV with a hard rally to the finish. Accounting for the difficulty of Bow’s course, the MV boys look poised to make a statement at Saturday’s home meet.