Penguins Change Course, Compete at Havre Invitational

We made a last-minute decision to head to the Scottie Invitational instead of the meet in Missoula. They have been canceling a lot of sporting events with the recent wildfires that have been surrounding the area and the poor air quality. We thought it would be wise to stay in the area and for sure get a meet in, instead of risking the trip to Missoula with a chance of a cancellation.

We had some great weather for the morning, so Ava Hanley and Shelbi LaBrie were ready to get some good times on the Scottie’s course. As the girls are warming up we discuss how we would like to run this course. Shelbi decided on her splits at around 6:30. I told Ava, let's not play it safe today and go out and run harder than we have all season. She was ready to go for it.

I went to the mile 1 mark and waited for the girls. Shelbi was up in the first pack of girls and her mile split was around 6:07. I was a little nervous that it was so fast and hoped she could keep up with the pack. Ava came around at 8:30 which is right where I think she should be, but she had not been able to do this yet this year.

I ended up pulling Shelbi from the race as she was having very intense pain in her rib cage. Sometimes these pains are something you can work through and grit out, and sometimes they aren’t. I could tell from the look on her face that she needed to stop and this is something that I stress to the girls every day. They always need to listen to their bodies, no matter how hard they want to finish. It’s not worth further injury. Shelbi and I walked the rest and cheered Ava on as she came upon her third mile, still sitting with a good time and on track for a season record.

Ava ended the race in 52nd with a time of 28.23. We were so excited to see her break down the wall she’s been fighting this year. Sometimes you just need that one race to break that mental block and let loose.

Sammie Wisher was battling some sickness this week and getting some much-needed rest. Although, she was at the meet in our Penguin mascot suit cheering every single runner on. She got quite a few smiles out of the runners! Kendra Cummings was right there beside her cheering on the runners. Sammie should be back this next week and we're hoping Kendra will be back the week after!

We're doing our best to keep everyone healthy and strong. We will be heading to the Frazer Invitational on Thursday, September 22, and would like to wish everyone good luck. It’s a BEAUTIFUL course to go run.