Kicking off with some big tips to our NRGE, Inc Youth, Sam and Jackson Runde. Sam took 2nd in the 3000 (10:17) and 4th in the 1500 (4:51), the former only :04 off his personal best set at last year’s AAU National Champs, the latter a personal best by :02. Jackson’s 5:42 1500 was a :05 personal best. And its still June. Had the fellas out for some roadwork this morning. Six easy miles with me astride the bike talking their ears off.
About this: Respecting your competition, regardless of where/how they fare on race day. Shaking your competitors hand. Congratulating as necessary. Being friendly even if not friends. Better behavior than I saw from some of the adults yesterday.
The USATF Nebraska Youth Champs were my first foray as coach in the meet. Great to catch up with so many old friends, most of whom helped me pull off the 2012 Club Champs at Burke. They all know me and my coaching style. On the fence, urging, hollering, calling loudly, I suppose my voice fairly booming within the confines. Yes, that’s my style, my athletes, their parents, and the meet admins don’t mind.
Up in Duluth I was proud of our masters mates David Frost and Matt Olberding. Frosty, despite a difficult work/travel schedule this training cycle hit every workout as prescribed. His personal best 3:12:21 only :13 off the fastest time by a Nebraskan (Austin McKillip, 3:12:08). Matt Olberding, equally as busy pulled off a 3:26:03, great racing by our lads. Elizabeth Woodruff of Papillion was first female (unattached I think) from Nebraska in 3:15:10. Team Nebraska masters ace Theresa Gosnell (44) showed well in 3:34:33.
Some regionally familiar names in the accompanying half marathon. Joe Moore of the Kansas City Smoke was 4th overall in a fine 1:05:08. Tanner Fruit was 10th in 1:06:13. Mason Frank was 12th in 1:08:14. Michael Rathje was first Nebraskan finishing 18th in 1:09:03. Ryan Dostal of Omaha was 25th in 1:11:17 and Tom Nichols was 49th in 1:14:52. All 3 running for LRC Racing.
The Dizzy Goat 3/6/12 hour runs were also this weekend but typically and for the life of me I can’t find any results.
Sam battled his long time friend and competitor bravely in Saturday’s 3000. Trading the lead several times, raising his stock with each lap. Outkicked in the last 30 meters. Hard to see in the picture that Sam ran the last 3 laps with only one shoe, de-spiked by a slower runner being passed, a great learning experience.
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