Freshman Track:  The Education of a Runner

Mark it in the books:  the freshman track season is history.  It seems like we just got started, but the calendar tells me that Adam is out of meets.  Less than four months until cross country starts, so I can't be too disappointed.

I think Adam would agree with me that his freshman track season was full of ups and downs and that, pun intended, he never got fully untracked.  However, I think his experiences this season have taught him a lot about himself as a runner, and maybe a little of that knowledge will spill over into other areas of his life as well.  All in all, it was a good experience.

The two highs of the season--besides getting to warm up on the blue at Bronco Stadium--were his 4:57 in the 1600 (mile) and his 10:20  in the 3200 ( two-mile).  The former, as I blogged about earlier, was the achievement of a goal he'd set for himself some time ago to break five minutes in the mile.  He ran without overthinking that day and just busted through the barrier.  It was fun to watch.  Unfortunately, he only got to run one timed mile after that, and since it was in a typical Idaho spring rain/windstorm, he didn't break five minutes again.  I predict it happens regularly next track season.

The other highlight of his season was his 10:20 two-mile time.  He had to break 10:25 to qualify to run in the varsity district meet, and he somehow managed to get 'er done.  Wow!  His previous best had been 10:38, so he had a really good race that day.  Again, he ran with abandon and didn't let his head get too mixed up in the race, and that is when he runs his best.  It was super fun to watch because when he just lets loose like that, he looks happy when he runs.  Good results usually follow.  

I wish I could say that he ran like a wild man at districts and got another personal record, but he admits that he was a little overwhelmed by the whole situation.  It's hard to run in a meet with people you idolize.  Seriously, I think he was in awe that he was in a race with some of the best runners in the state.  Anyway, twenty-four guys qualified for the race.  He was #22 going in and finished 23rd, right about where he was supposed to.  He was hoping for better, but I was proud of him.

Here are a few random shots from throughout the season:

Like most runners, he is Mr. Fidget Man before a race and usually adjusts
and readjusts his singlet about fifty times before the gun goes off.

At least it wasn't raining at this meet, just blowing.  Check out the flags.

"Runners, take your mark. . . "

Karen and Andrew were at this meet.  Rachel also got to come for a meet later in the season.

Poor kid always looked to me like he was freezing.

He's still relatively little.  Maybe he'll fill out a bit over the summer. . .

Windy again. . .

On to sophomore season.

Adam's a good runner, and it was fun to watch him compete this track season.  He learned that he can trust his instincts and that he needs to have confidence in his abilities, separate and apart from what anyone else is doing on the track.  And now, I'm insisting that he take a few days off from running.  His body needs a break!