Cross Country (XC)

This fall Miranda opted for school Cross Country, instead of league soccer. (She wanted to do both, but after last spring participating in Track & Field and Little League softball, I said no more two-sport seasons).

Just after her finish at the first meet of the season.

DH and I were sprint athletes. Distance was not our thing. It's not in our genes. So I was happy but surprised Miranda wanted to try cross country. (The closest I ever got to cross country in high school was as a cheerleader at the finish line).

Miranda had an amazing season! The first meet she ran the course at CKMS in 14:57 minutes. (The middle school courses are 1.86 miles). She was the fifth girl finisher for her school. They run 6th grade girls and boys, then 7th/8th grade girls and boys.

The next two meets were at our home field, Centennial. She improved her time at both meets, 14:46 against Tolt, and then 14:11 the next week again MI. (BTW, MI has 145 runners on the middle school team. We have 40. They are crazy-good).

It was exciting to see her improving with each meet. I could see her feeling good about her performance. She was now the third runner for our school. And finishing in the top ten!

The fourth meet was a TFMS. It was a tough course, and just two days after the third meet. Her time was 14:22. She felt ok about it though because of the muddy course and steep hill she had to climb. She was fifth overall for the girls.

She set a goal to break 14 minutes. And she did! The next meet was at home and she ran 13:47! It was so exciting to watch her keeping pace with her teammate who had been keeping a greater distance ahead of her during the previous races.

DH had been working with Miranda on some interval and sprint training on Saturdays. I think it was paying off.

Yesterday was the league finals at Carnation golf course. We had not run that course yet. Miranda was nervous because it had a lot of small ups and downs. She set a goal to beat 13:40. (That made me a bit nervous . . . seven seconds faster than her fastest time and on a course she didn't know).

Finishing strong.

DH worked from home so he could leave early enough to attend the race. He hadn't been to one yet this season. It was a perfect race day--overcast and cool, even a light mist was falling occasionally. We got there (and scored an amazing parking spot) just as the 6th grade boys were heading out on their race. Miranda's was next.

They lined all the girls up by school, in order of their places. She was third in line for us. The gun sounded and they were off. She actually stumbled a bit at first but regained her footing quickly. We were able to cross over the course and watch at three different intervals. She kept her distance consistently about 10 feet behind her teammate, Sarah. (It just amazes me to watch her run. To watch all the runners. I have so much respect for them, knowing how hard it is to push yourself for a race. I get choked up when I cheer them on and especially at the finish line).

Miranda finished strong coming in 28th overall. (I think 20 of those runners ahead of her were from MI). DH had set his timer at the beginning of the race. He clocked her finishing at 13:39! She met her goal! So, so awesome.

I am really proud of her and how hard she worked over the season. I'm thankful that she focused on challenging herself to continually improve her own time, and wasn't so concerned about the place she finished in the race. Shaving 1:19 off of her time over four weeks is fabulous!

Now that XC is over, she said she'd like to keep running. Keep on running, girl! You are amazing :)