Today was an interesting day. Up at 4 am to catch a 5 am bus for a HS x-country meet. We had a long drive to Manchester, NH for a huge event we do every year. Many races in the day of which we participated in four total. It was a very nice day for these races, overcast and cool. Actually we had quite a bit of fog that carried us through at least 11 am. When the sun finally broke free, the temps rose as expected. But all in all a nice day to be outside.
I ran up the same start, a huge hill, each time. I'd meet the team on the huge long starting line in their designated numbered box and then start up the hill to get ready from a distance. By my fourth trek up the hill, at the end of the day, for the Varsity Boys race to catch the start, finger on my watch as I ran, I was dragging. I'd get to the top, hit my stop watch when the gun went off, and take off for the first mile. With pen and clipboard in hand, I trucked, running faster than I normally do to ensure I got there before the runners did. I figured I had a good 400 meter head start and being at the top of the hill heading downwards was a plus for me.
We ended the day with good results. We had 5 runners go home with medals. On the line at each start was something like 280 runners from all over the Northeast. The medals went to the first 50 runners of each race. The best finish of the day for us was in the Varsity Boy's Race. One of our boy's finished 4th with a PR. Not bad.
I'm really going to miss the team, the area and all I've helped accomplish here. I did tell the girl's team I was leaving and they were sad and hoped I'd be back next year to come to some of the races. I haven't told the boys yet. Then later I was asked to consider coming back from the end of August-October to coach again next year. It's the best time of the year to visit Maine. I'm actually mulling this over. Can I do this? Not sure.
It is nice here right now. No bugs, no snow, no extreme hot weather. We get cool nights, warm days, brilliant colors as the trees start to change not to speak of all the fall country fairs all over the place . It's almost everyone's favorite time of year here.
So many decisions to make. I guess it's just all part of the race of life.
Run, Run, Run The Race. Keep, Keep, Keep The Pace.