Penguins at Crazy Mountain Run

We drove to Big Timber on the morning of Saturday, October 1, at 5 a.m.!

It literally rained the entire drive there, and the entire drive home.

I can’t complain because everyone needs it. I’m glad I checked the weather forecast and warned the girls to bring extra clothes because within 10 minutes of being at the course, we were all soaked from head to toe. The whole golf course was flooded. The girls ran through puddles and in the rain the entire race. They were actually pretty excited about it.

There weren't as many runners there as I anticipated, but great competition. The girls were unable to get a good walk through as we arrived a little late and they had changed the course a bit the night before to avoid trampling on the greens. They all started the race great, setting out on the pace that they were aiming for. I ran to mile one to check on how they were doing. I knew when I didn’t see Shelbi go by with the front pack that she was in pain again. She’s really been struggling with her side stitches. The best way I can explain it is your body is ready to go fast, but your lungs just aren’t quite there yet. She has good days and bad days. This was another bad day. She’s learning to manage it until they begin to subside. It’s a very frustrating problem to run with because they are so hard to fight through.

Sammi came around the corner happy as a Penguin running in the rain! I can always tell when she’s having a good race, she’s got a big grin on her face. She looked relaxed and she was gaining on the front pack pretty quickly.

Kendra and Ava followed, looking nice and relaxed. I was a bit nervous for Kendra as she hasn’t raced for a month, but she was looking good! Ava’s first mile was a little behind pace but she maintained the rest of the race and ended up with a good time.

The next area I was able to see the girls was the last 800 meters of the race near the club house. Sammi actually got turned around with about 600 meters left and had to ask for directions. I think if she wouldn’t have had to stop she would have been 20 seconds faster or so. She still ended with an awesome time of 20.57 in 4th place. Shelbi came barreling in next, gutting out the last 400 meters, passing a few girls on her way, getting 40th with a time of 24.39. Kendra and Ava followed in 52nd and 53rd with times of 27.08 and 28.06.

It was so nice to have all four girls back in the race again. Shelbi and Kendra weren’t happy with their times, but we will get to where they want to be. With only a few meets left, we’ve struggled through the whole season with injuries and illnesses. It’s just the way it goes sometimes. They’ve got two weeks to bounce back and make it count. The only race that matters is the one at the end of the year.

We’ve got two meets this upcoming week. Frazer rescheduled theirs for Tuesday, October 4, and Malta’s is on Saturday, October 8. I really encourage anyone that can, to stop out to Marian Hills Saturday morning and encourage these local athletes. We get one local meet a year and this is your chance to go and support them all!