Won’t be able to fit in all in today but here’s a good start. Saturday morning turned out to be a very emotional day for me, and as it turns out, the rest of the Good Mates. I had a difficult time containing my tears of joy after watching David Adams pick off 3 runners in the final 100 meters to secure his top 10 finish. He had trained so hard for this opportunity, committed to being in it to win it. Stayed with the lead pack of 5 for the first three 2K loops, drifted back to13th on the fourth (it didn’t take much, just a couple of ticks), and then dug so very deep on the final stretch that I was overcome by his display of heart and determination.
David in the lead pack. Number 322, Jonathan Grey, would pull away decisively to a :10 win in 29:38.
This pic is in the final 50 meters, these cats were all giving absolutely everything they had. To see David move up on this national class talent ranks as my personally most impressive and inspiring moment in the 10 year history of Team Nebraska.
The course conditions declined throughout the morning with footing just treacherous by the time the Open Men raced at 1:45. The times were all the more amazing given the muddy mess.
Shain Kephart took a nasty spill on the first loop, popped right back up and gritted his way to a new pr. Shain and I roomed while in Seattle and has now officially been nicknamed “Younger Guru” based on his knowledge and passion of our sport. Cory Logsdon, below, was our 5th finisher despite having difficulty with his asthma, all of our breathing was affected by the unfamiliar cold humidity.
Our men went like this:
David Adams– 30:02
Matt Pohren– 32:05
Matt Schneider– 33:15
Andrew Jacob– 34:02
Cory Logsdon– 34:04
Justin Mollak– 34:11
Shain Kephart– 35:39
The Masters Women were the first Championships race of the morning, they followed the Community Race and the Jefferson Park Golf Course was already getting pretty chopped up.
Natalie Jetensky (24:28) was our first masters finisher over the 6K. She showed a toughness that belies her sweet demeanor.
Linda Barnhart was next through, somehow making it look easy. She was followed in quick succession by mates Stacy Shaw and Carole Swanson. A great showing of Team Running!
Stacy (25:43), Linda (25:42), & Carole (25:50) celebrate the fruits of Teamwork. On a side note it was with much happiness that I was reunited with a couple of my favorite Texans. Chris Kimbrough (winner 2007 Lincoln Marathon where she qualified for the 2008 Olympic Trials Marathon) took the overall win in 22:12. Long time dearest Carmen Ayalya Troncoso was 5th overall in 22:32, amazing feat as she is a young 52 years of age.
The Men’s Masters were next up and things took a turn for the frightening for Kelly Crawford.
Kelly was cranking out 5:40 miles for the first 8K, hanging with some of the top 40+ runners in the U.S. Should be noted that Kelly is 49 years old. On the final loop he suffered a 3rd degree tear of his calf muscle, tried desperately to continue with a gut wrenching, awe inspiring limp before crumpling to the ground. He was taped and splinted at the venue’s medical trailer and released to our charge. Upon arrival at the hotel he went into pain, hypothermia and dehydration induced shock. 911 was called and he was taken to an area hospital where the tear was diagnosed. Special thanks to Scott Shaw for holding Kelly’s foot up for over an hour, he was the Hero. And even bigger thanks to our Sweet Emily Kraus. She is a 4th year med student and accompanied Kelly to the hospital and provided expert care during this extremely difficult time, she was our Angel. A big nod to Linda too as she has an uncanny ability of soothing the suffering, not the first time I’ve seen her in this capacity.
Steve Stender tore up the course in his usual barefoot fashion. There were at least a couple other barefooters chasing him to no avail.
Didn’t have the day I had hoped and trained for but held my head high and never gave up. You think this 65 year old ahead of me was giving an inch? That is the best part about these national championships competitions, you get your butt handed to you by some of the most amazing athletes in the country.
The Open Women’s race was next. Megan Zavorka and Emily Kraus experienced their first national caliber cross country race and come away motivated and determined to work to the next level.
I could not have been prouder of each and everyone of these athletes. Every one left absolutely nothing out on the course. Of the 7 men in the open field, 6 ran personal bests. All of our masters women did and so did Steve Stender. As did Megan and Emily. This is what Team Nebraska is all about, please excuse me while I fetch another hankie.
Perhaps the best TNB day ever for me. Our Good Mates headed to the start, full of determination and drive and expectation. I’m so very proud to have them, I hope you are too.
All photos courtesy of Justin Mollak and Scott Shaw.
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