Coaching and covering the various regional races at Lyons Thursday, I was reminded why our sport is so special. The beautiful setting, energetic atmosphere, and great racing all made it a fun day.
But it’s the melding of individual and team goals that make cross country what it is. Seven runners (generally speaking) toe the line not only with their own dreams and expectations, but those of their teammates, squarely planted on their shoulders.
Broomfield’s Greg Weich (whose boys are managing quite a set of new-found expectations with considerable skill) and I were talking before the race about the pressure these kids face at this time of year: running, obviously, but school, social lives, and often more.
He summed it up best, “These kids are a lot tougher than I am.”
I saw a lot of nervous pacing around the area where the scores were being posted after the various classifications’ races, heard many hopeful comments between coaches and athletes. There were hugs, shrugs, and ...