Fall Break Brings Fun in Frederick, Md.

Believe it or not, fall break as already come and gone on the Mary Baldwin campus. While many students went home for some much needed rest and relaxation, the members of the cross country team that chose to stay behind, embarked on their own little adventure. On Friday October 14, five of us, myself and my assistant included, loaded up for a little road trip. Our ultimate destination was Frederick, Maryland, where the ladies were to compete in a 5k race at Hood College. With the race not being until Saturday morning, that meant we had plenty of time for a little bit of fun.

On our drive to Frederick, we stopped to pick up lunches for a little picnic I had planned at Harper’s Ferry. Many of my runners had never been to this historical site, and with peak fall foliage weekend almost upon us, I thought it would be the perfect break from the road. While stopped, the team ventured down to the lower town of Harper’s Ferry where we were able to freshen up on our history a little and enjoy the scenic views.

Later that day, we made it to our final destination with time to spare. Seeing another opportunity for fun, we ventured out to a local running store where the ladies were able to spend as much or as little as their pockets would allow. Once the shopping trip was complete, it was time to head back to the hotel for a quick nap before dinner. With the numbers being on the smaller side for this excursion, we decided to partake in something a little nicer at a nearby Italian restaurant. The conversation was great and all involved truly enjoyed themselves. So many times during the season, the ladies on the team become so accustom to looking at one another as simply teammates. They forget how much they really do have in common in other areas of their life. It did my heart good to know that they we were all enjoying each other’s company so much.

By the time meet morning rolled around, the MBC runners were well rested and ready to race. Even though the weather was a little windy, the sun was out, and it was a beautiful day. The 5k course looped around the Hood College campus and was completely flat.  Sophomore runner, Sophia Stone, took first place with a time of 19:12, a finish that would have easily achieved her a top 10 finish in the men’s race. Amanda Fadden (FR) was second for the MBC team coming in with a time of 24:10, followed by upper classman Lucy Bruno.

Even though we didn’t have enough runners to make a team, it was a fun weekend for all involved. Just to end the trip on an especially sweet note, we made a quick stop for ice cream on the drive home.  At this point in the season, I feel this was just what the girls needed. Now that our conference meet is staring us down, the girls deserved something that would help take the pressure off and remind them just how fun it really is to be on MBC’s  Cross Country team!

Salisbury University Hosts 16 Team Invitational

Continuing her season of great races, sophomore, Sophia Stone finished second in the Don Cathcart Invitational hosted by Salisbury University on Saturday, October 1st.  Stone ran the 6K course in 21:17 finishing merely 11 seconds behind the first place competitor who was a DII runner.  Amanda Fadden was the second MBC runner to cross the finish line in 27:09 followed by Kimberly Denny at 27:58 and Carolyn Denny at 28:28.  While each competitor walked away with their own individual achievements, the team was able to hold onto an 11^th place finish, in a meet that consisted of 16 teams, whose abilities ranged the gambit.

While not all of our ladies were able to participate this past weekend, we still continued to show great improvements. All of our hard work combined with the flat course, proved to be a good confidence booster for all of my athletes. In retrospect, I am extremely glad I made this meet a part of our schedule this year. Despite the long drive the day prior and the day of, the meet was able to provide each of my runners with their own unique test. Some of my ladies needed to assess their competitive edge against faster runners, some needed to prove to themselves just how quickly they could move on a flat course. However, despite the individualized challenges they all faced, as they stepped up to the starting line on race morning, every one of them was reminded of why they run.

Once the starting boxes had been assigned, the MBC ladies looked to their left and looked to their right. They were surrounded by people just like themselves, young women that yearned for the competition, fierce challengers setting out to reach their goals. They were ready to race for the number one spot, a new personal record (PR), a new sense of accomplishment. And by the time they reached the finish line, all of them, MBC runners included, had proven to themselves and the cheering crowds that in cross country, when the pain of racing sets in, it’s just a sign to push even harder.  

It’s good to see the competitive spirit alive and well in my runners. While I can provide them with the workouts, only they can believe in themselves enough to give that final finish line kick. After all, running is a sport of visualization, and as our championship meets draw near, it is my hope, their visualizations for continued success, will become a reality.