The Liberty Bell Invitational at Heritage High School in Littleton, Friday, Sept 12, 2014. This is by far the biggest meet we'll go to this year, with the possible exception of State. There are teams from many other states here, and the competition is outstanding. But the atmosphere is electric, fun and energetic. We can't wait to get started!
We set up camp where we have for a looooong time. We're a short distance from the finish line, which is perfect. 'Cause when you're as tired as we'll be at the end of this one, we'll be hoping to take very few steps to get back to camp. We get hydrated, taped, pass the duck around and get our ribbons. NOW we're ready! The boys go at 3:45pm, the girls go right after at 3:48.
Teams are stretched across the road, 2 places wide & 20 deep. It's a huge mass of very competitive runners - 208 are listed for this race. Seems more like 2,008 as there's no room to breathe.
The first mile+ of the course is on the road, then a canal bank. It's fast, hard and we're flying. The next 2 miles are flat, then a long downhill. This is a course where we can cut loose and race all out!
The end of the race is a 400 meter sprint uphill. But by the time we get there, we're running so hard it feels like we're still on flat land!
The end of the race is a 400 meter sprint uphill. But by the time we get there, we're running so hard it feels like we're still on flat land!
The guys finish their race with a hard sprint up the hill. Those sprint practices in our workouts pay off here, as we pass a lot of guys with nothing left in their legs.
The girls started only 3 minutes behind the guys, and the weather is perfect today. A little bit cool, but at the speed we're running that cool air feels good. Once again we line up shoulder to shoulder, 10 - 20 deep on the road. Then we're off!
The girls started only 3 minutes behind the guys, and the weather is perfect today. A little bit cool, but at the speed we're running that cool air feels good. Once again we line up shoulder to shoulder, 10 - 20 deep on the road. Then we're off!
The girls complete the run on the road, then the canal. Then it's off to the long downhill sprints!
It's a hard, tough sprint up that final hill. But it's a good one. We have 27 runners racing today, and 24 of them set new PR's (personal records). We've taken some more big steps forward today, and putting up great times helps us realize how much we're improving this season. We're building a lot of stamina and improving our sprint finishes.
After a tough, hard race it's time to rehydrate and catch our breath. Since we're working so hard in practice each day, it takes less & less time after a race to get our legs back, breathe normally and get some energy back. And for the Bulldogs, once we get our energy back it's time to celebrate!
After a tough, hard race it's time to rehydrate and catch our breath. Since we're working so hard in practice each day, it takes less & less time after a race to get our legs back, breathe normally and get some energy back. And for the Bulldogs, once we get our energy back it's time to celebrate!
It's ALL good!! But now the spectators have a question. Does this team have more fun BEFORE the race? DURING the race? Or AFTER the race? It's awful hard to tell!
Bulldogs - we're proud of you. ALL the time.
Bulldogs - we're proud of you. ALL the time.