Was happy to get down to Plattsmouth this past Saturday for the No Frills 5 Mile. According to some much too far to drive, but oh so worth it, on several levels.
Kathryn Carlson Merrill approached Linda & I and asked who to chase if she wanted to win. I told her there was not any Real Competition, that 33:30 would be enough to take the win. I was delighted to let her know she had a :07 lead as she came back to me after the turn around. And did my Happy Dance when I found she had extended that en route to breaking the tape in 33:47. She spent enough time with Linda and me to speak of A Grand Design. Fortuitous. Serendipity. Call it what you will, it was no coincedence that the three of us gathered. Kathryn will be be focusing on distance excellence moving forward. As a member of Nebraska Run Guru Elite. Kathryn brings excellent novice credentials (1:31/3:19) to the club, and the Exact Attitude, In It To Win It! Wait until she has a couple of good training cycles under her soles, sub 2:43 is the goal.
The Men’s race played out as expected with Justin Mollak and Casey Kear, two of Team Nebraska’s top studs, showing big balls by racing in the single digit wind chills clad only in shorts and singlet (!!???!?!?!?!!?) and taking the top two spots. What no one except us expected was Pete Kostelnick taking third overall. He wasn’t there to chit chat with the competition that’s for sure. Kyle and Mike Wasson also joined in the fun.
Angee Henry is still the top 400 meter female in Nebraska. Running unattached these days but still running well. Angee won the Ward Haylett Invitational in a fast early season 56.51, Giddyup!
My original mentor Carol McLatchie has been named the State of Oregon’s Girls & Boys Cross Country Coach of the year. Her husband Jim is the author of the McLatchie Method, a hybrid of which will be kicking your butts at Lincoln this year.
Amber Sargent starts the program today as she preps for the Boston Marathon.
I’ve sung it loud and clear, here it is again: Nebraska Run Guru Elite will become the top women’s marathon group in the state this year.
I’m not much for smirks or sneers but I sure know how to muster a Genuine Smile! Our newest NRGE mate has the Right Stuff! Kathryn ran a 2:18 800 meters to finish 2nd in the Nebraska State T&F Champs when at Kearney High. She’s now ready to do our Good Work.
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