Hard Path

Ladies,

You won't believe the text I got a little later in the evening tonight (well, one of you will)... Ali texted me, "Coach, I think I broke my ankle". I thought, "Must be a sick joke. How could this happen to us?" Well, it was no joke. Ali was at a friend's house and stepped off a stair and felt it crack. No joke, she was off to the emergency room. Good news: it's only a sprain. Hopefully she'll be back with us on Tuesday.

It's mind-boggling what has happened so far this year. The list?

1. Ali - sprained ankle
2. Chelsey - appendectomy
3. Cynthaney - broken bone
4. Joslyn - broken bone
5. Katlyn - surgery
6. Madison - broken bone scare, deep tendinitis in foot
7. Sara - sea-doo, golf cart, hip
8. Zoe - deep bruise on bone (likely)
9. Kate - surgery

Add to that any number of treated injuries to Baili, Delaney, and Ani, and you can see why I'm concerned. Most of these on the list are not training related, but it sure feels awful anyway. Let me say in no uncertain terms - we cannot afford any more unforced injuries. 

I was happy to see how you all responded in practice today after my meandering "pep" talk. If there is one word that describes the rest of the season for us, it's "chase". And today, that's what you did. 

Every girl has to chase the girl in front of her. No exceptions! No more free rides, no more looking the other way, everyone needs to aggressively go after whoever is next in front of you. Once you catch her, pass her, move on to the next girl. You can encourage the girl you pass, you can try to pull her along, but you can't wait for her. You keep going. 

We have a ton of points to absorb. Last year we missed Semi-State by something like 10 points. Losing Joslyn last night cost us 80. You can see the mountain before us. It isn't insurmountable, but we have to be aggressive now. 

I'm not normally a hugger - I avoid direct contact with people generally - but tonight two people moved me by the super hard effort they put forth. First was Katlyn. She ran with Coach the whole run, something she hasn't been able to do since her surgery. Her body was racked with pain from last night's race, but she did it anyway. That's the thing about Katlyn. She doesn't cry. She doesn't whine. She quietly does her job. 

The other was Ani. I've been hard on her lately because I know there is a terrific runner in that little girl that wants to come out and play. Once in a while she peeks out, but Ani hasn't let her get completely loose yet. Tonight she ran with Baili for the bulk of the run. I thank Baili too, of course, because she was a great motivator (proud of you, Baili), but I really have to give it to Ani. Only she could have forced herself to stay up there. That's how it has to be, every day. If you can do it one day, you can do it every day (eventually). Everybody hurts. How much can you take?

There were other great efforts tonight - Kate chased Carrie, albeit unsuccessfully. I noticed! That's what I want! Delaney, Molly, Danielle, the Bearcat Triumvirate were tough as always... really, I could see effort in all of you. It was hot. It was the day after the race. You worked hard anyway. 

I don't normally get this blunt, but I think desperate times call for desperate measures. Let me stack the order as I see it right now so you know clearly who you are chasing.

1. Carrie. Keep running away if they let you. Don't make it easy on anyone. 
2. Baili. You can close and eventually catch Carrie, but only if you start in practice. Positions are earned every day.
3. Danielle. Baili is within reach. You have to believe that.
4. Zoe. This may be a temporary position for you, depending on your recovery. I think you have a mountain of cardio in the bank, so as long as your leg holds up, begin pushing after the girls ahead of you. Set your sights and go.
5. Sara. You are in a tough spot, because your growth will have a lot to do with the future of the team. If you could drop a couple of minutes by the end of the season, you just might be the hero of the team.
6. Kate. You aren't far off Sarah, and truth be told, you're a ton healthier. If you could unlock your second mile you would be tough to beat, and once again, a hero. 
7. Delaney. Open that stride. You are bunched up, and you have to relax at a wider gait. Ask me if you don't understand what I mean. 
8. Katlyn. You are closing fast, and if you have more workouts like tonight's up your sleeve, you'll soon be in the top-5 again. 
9. Ani. On paper you should be solidly here. You could be in the top-7. You have to be more consistent every day. Run strong in practice, run strong in meets.
10. Molly. You have given your best every single day. Just keep doing that. It's coming.
11. Ali. You are my hero. Seriously. Keep plugging along! Open your stride, keep your head up!
12. Amber. You are so stoic you are a hard read. Your form is efficient over long distance, and I think some day you will be a marathoner. However, today, we need a faster turnover for 5k. Work to sustain a higher pressure on your heart and breathing.
13. Alannah. You are strong. You are fit. Like Kate, you just have to get your head around it. 
14. Payton. When you decide you are competing you look good. That's the girl we want to see all the time.

Now obviously there are some wild cards here...

Chelsey is out for the season. Nothing is going to change that now. 

Joslyn is hurt and doubtful to make a full recovery by the tournament. Could she recover enough to run in the late stages?

Madison is running again. Now it's only a matter of how hard we dare push her. 

Cynthaney is running better every day. And more. 

Sarah could run as early as Regional. Can she get in shape in time?

We have five weeks until Sectional. I was given notice today my roster is due at the state by October 4th. I can turn in 10 names. Once that list is submitted, it's in stone. That means you have from now until then to sort out your spot on the team. Health has to factor in too, but the bulk of the decision will be on speed. I owe it to you all and the team to do what's best to advance the team. It's as fair as I can make it.

Your choice starts tomorrow and every day moving forward. Choose every day to live with no regrets.