2020金秋越野跑小記

2020庚子年已經過了三季。這兩天一場秋雨，瑟瑟秋風，溫度降到40度，冬季即將來臨。

小兒子升高中後，加入了越野跑俱樂部。他們每天下午3:15到4:30在附近的公園訓練。從七月28號的第一次訓練到如今，每天訓練之前兩小時需要在網上填寫健康情況。而且每個帶隊老師不能超過9名學生。今年隻有八名高一學生參加。

男孩子們打著赤膊一起在公園奔跑的場景真是一道風景！我每天送他後，也在公園裏跑跑走走。四點正，附近教堂鍾聲響起。古樸悠遠，令人心靜。

比賽每周一次，但大多不許有觀眾。兒子第一次五千米的成績是27分鍾，以後每次都有進步。有時快半分，有時快幾秒。昨天是最後一次比賽，也是我們可以觀看的唯一一次比賽。他們隊安排在下午5:20。天陰陰的，氣溫隻有44度。刮著風，雖然我穿著大衣，圍著圍巾，戴著口罩，但感覺還是挺冷的。觀眾不多，基本戴著口罩。比賽分成許多小隊，每隊十幾個隊員。昨天他跑了個人最好成績: 22分25秒。

回家的路上他說，他本來想跑到22分之內，但跑的時候肚子有點痛。先生說可能吹到冷風了。他自己說是比賽前40分鍾吃了一個蛋白質糖條，可能吃得有點晚了。

我們這兒的小學和初中都開實體課了，但高中還是網課。學區正在研究開實體課的可能性。跑步增強體質。希望大家不得COVID-19。如果得了則好得快，就象我朋友孩子一樣。

[林凡_聖路易]

more links
2020
https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/Results/Season.aspx?SchoolID=11741&S=2020

2021
https://www.athletic.net/CrossCountry/Results/Season.aspx?SchoolID=11741&S=2021

[林凡_聖路易]

Here is coach - Ms Dani Whitcher's Final Frosh Footspeed Notes:

2020 has been a lesson in adaptability and letting go of our attachments to the way things used to be. We began this season uncertain if we would have many opportunities to race. We also knew that opportunities would be limited and that, perhaps, not all of our athletes would have the chance to race at every meet. For those who are competitive, this can be a big mental shift. After all, what’s the point of completing or competing in something if you don’t get a chance to showcase your talents?

I didn’t know how many of the freshmen boys would stick around with this being our reality. I know many runners who are discouraged by the lack of races and the lack of competition. The boys were quick to prove me wrong. Each day, they showed up eager to practice and eager to learn. They didn’t complain once of drills, strength work, or hill workouts. They were receptive and open to learning new things. They asked questions and listened to constructive criticism and feedback. They encouraged and challenged each other in workouts and laughed and joked on easy days. It was crystal clear that despite the looming limitations of the season, they were going to dictate their own XC experience and not leave it to the hands of the pandemic. These young men were nothing short of a total dream to coach and to run alongside. With that, here are my final words for each young man:


Allen Zheng - Allen makes everything look so easy! From drills to strides to hills to strength, Allen has flawless form that makes me jealous. Seriously. He is so fun to watch! A slight learning curve for Allen this season was figuring out just how hard to push himself during races. The first several races of the season, Allen just looked so relaxed. He knew it too and would always tell me that he felt he could go faster. It wasn’t until the Eureka meet that Allen looked different during a race - his face was strained and he was actually running to his max effort. It was such a breakthrough for him and he ended up beating his previous PR by 40 seconds. Allen used this data to the best of his ability and bested his Eureka performance by 2 seconds on Friday ending with a season best of 22:26. Allen has made major gains this season and I look forward to what he is able to accomplish during track season and next XC season!

Final Words:

Thank you all for an amazing season.

Boys, thank you so much for showing up each and every day. It may sound corny, but your presence was such a light to me during this virtual teaching period and was a powerful reminder of why I love to coach and teach. Nothing can replace interacting with such neat individuals such as yourselves. Thank you so much! Now make sure you continue to build upon this momentum that you’ve gained.

Parents, thank you for your support and encouragement. You’ve all raised incredible young men. Seriously. I look forward to seeing you at meets in the 2021 XC season!

[林凡_聖路易]

End of season summary:
1 Mile Time - Beginning of Season: 7:19
1 Mile Time - End of Season : 6:05
5 km Goals: 22
Tempo Pace (per mile): 7:23-7:31
Mile/1500 pace (per 400m):1:40-1:42