Stuff

Heh... in case you think I've forgotten you, I haven't. There are a lot of girls on the team this year, and there are a lot of elements. Something fits you. Find it! I'm curious to see what you gals can make of this.

We are in the middle of the third week of summer training, and things are beginning to take shape. With so many girls I don't get to interact personally with each of you every day, so let me take a little time here and run down a list of some specific observations I have so far. I'm going to use my brand-spanking-new iPhone 6 Plus (my 5 died) so this will be in whatever order my contacts is currently using.

Kate Albertson - tons of potential. Running so far has been spotty for medical reasons, but you have been able to run anywhere from the middle to the front every day you've made it. You're strong and fast, as you showed in the pick-ups yesterday. It will be great to see what you do going forward.

Alannah Alexander - you are another speedster on the team. This distance is new to you, and we will have to watch a couple of growing pains issues with you (knees, asthma) but you have tons of upside. Stick with it!

Ali Allen - you have made a couple of practices, but I like that you appear to be staying in shape. Run when you can, and run with us when you can.

Sarah Brewster - you might easily be the fastest sprinter on the team. The challenge for you is to remain focused on the distance, and don't let the numbers blow your mind out. Fast-twitch runners can be taught to run long. Slow-twitch runners cannot be taught to run fast - they can only get stronger.

Ani Brock - you are a TON faster than last year. Keep pressing forward, and keep that stride open!

Katlyn Eagan - it's been a challenge this summer with your injury, but keep the faith. Sports always include comebacks, and you will. Just don't lose contact with us. You are an important part of this team, and we need you.

Carrie Flinn - I've never seen you look better than you do right now. You are leading all the runs, you are running good paces, and you look comfortable. Stay on top of the ice and stretching, and if we can avoid injury, you are going to go pretty far either with the team or as an individual.

Payton Flynn - you never quit, and I love that. We will work on form and pace, but you keep plugging. I love your attitude and your work ethic!

Amber Foster - work has made practicing difficult, but it meant a lot to me to receive your text about organizing fundraisers. Leaders are leaders, whether they are the fastest runners or not. I love it, and please, keep it up!

Cynthaney Hignite - your talent is undeniable, but I hope you are getting some running done when you are not with us. You have looked strong so far this summer. Just know I'll be tapping you very early in the season to carry some weight for the team. You have the goods, we need to use them.

Halle Hughes - it was your first day today, so there isn't much to say yet other than I'm confident you are in good shape from basketball conditioning and you are a great athlete. I am looking forward to seeing what you can do!

Danielle Kittaka - you are a blue-chipper, no doubt. You are able to hang with the front of the group for most of the runs already, and that's a great sign for the season to come. More than that though, you are a thoughtful and introspective person, which helps you to be analytical about training and racing. Great racers have the ability to think while racing.

Melissa Lewis - come back!

Molly Mitchell - girl, you are tough. It's not many girls that would come day after day while frequently landing in the "no man's land" between groups of runners. It takes some tough mental resolve to run alone like that, but it also makes you a tough racer. Like Danielle, you are very smart and focused. In this game, the edge often comes down to who thinks quicker, believe it or not. You may not know it yet, but you are a diamond in the rough.

Delaney Myers - the final of my trio of deadly assassins from Oolitic, you too have a strong competitive spirit. You fight it out alone, you chase those ahead of you, and you are focused. Keep doing what you are doing, and soon you will be running in that front pack.

Maddie Patterson - come back!

Baili Peterson - word on the street is you are running this fall, which I certainly hope is true. Basketball is taking your time for now, but I am confident you are getting your training in. Coach Jo often brags about how hard you work. I can't wait to see it play out.

Sara Peterson - you have looked great this summer. It's good to see things under control and you running the way we all knew you could. There should be some huge drops right away as the racing season comes.

Kayla Pritchett - you have been a lot tougher this summer, running much farther than ever. I know it gets hard toward the end of a run, but that's normal at first. As your conditioning improves it will bother you less and less.

Jennifer Ramirez - you are tough as nails, as always. That's a lot of raw talent you have in that little body. Never take it for granted!

Ashley Rubacha - you must be so proud to be able to hang with these girls as you have! You are extremely talented, and will almost certainly be at the top of the middle school races this fall.

Madison Ryan - the miles are starting again, and so far, so good. It feels good to be able to run again, doesn't it? Easy does it though... the most important thing here is a healthy Madison.

Chelsey Schofield - while it's been hard to hang with the front, you've been a solid runner these last two weeks. We will have to mix riding and running as we go on, and in large part I can leave that up to your discretion. We just need to stay on the cardio one way or another.

Chelsea Scott - you are getting bigger and stroner... and FASTER. You are not in the stage where you can run with pretty much anyone you choose to. So choose to! Every day, make up your mind to be close to the front. You are a hard worker, you are talented, you just need to believe in yourself.

Joslyn Wever - just like last year, the heat hits you hard at first. You're starting to come out of it though. I also believe your foot must be healing, so things are looking better all the time. For now though you're just going have to know when enough is enough. Don't worry, you are still the great runner you always were.

Alannah Zollman - the thing that has impressed me the most so far is your mature attitude. You want to work, you want to get better. You remain positive no matter how things go, and you never quit. Hang with it, and you will see how much better it gets in no time.

Zoe Zollman - you are a beast. No, I mean that. You, like Joslyn, are a triple-threat, but you have never looked stronger or more confident. If there is any member of this team that looks at ease in her skin as an athlete, it's you. When I watch you run, I get the feeling you could move forward or back in the pack at will, and that takes confidence.

Whew! Long enough!