10/25/09

RMAC CHAMPIONSHIP!

I woke up early, and stumbled around in the dark to find my shoes. I could hear Julianne stumbling around in the dark as well, and it made me laugh to myself. After our teeth were brushed, and shoes were tied, Julianne and I headed out for my shakeout run. We had just stepped into the elevator when Coach Paul came around the corner and looked surprised to see us. Since Paul was headed out for his shakeout run, the three of us decided to go together. The outside air was warm, and the sounds of the city were just starting to elevate as we ran through 16th street mall in downtown Denver. I was happy Paul was running with us, as there were a lot of street people staring at us as we trotted by. As we ran, I realized that I wasn’t nervous, and actually didn’t even feel like I had a race that day. I didn’t know if this was a good thing or a bad thing.

My fifteen minute shakeout seemed extra short with the company, and when we got back, Julianne and I headed up to our room to stretch before breakfast.

We were stretching in the hall when Berenice poked her head out of our door and asked if we were going to eat soon. The three of us headed down to the continental breakfast area, which to our dismay didn’t open for another fifteen minutes. Vandenbusche was there, and added for some unexpected humor as he and his “twin” (a random old guy from Michigan) shared stories and played the “who knows more about this and that” game. I headed back to my room around the time Vandenbusche and Matt Hill got in an argument over Matt’s scruffy face (which he did end up shaving). The next hour went by fast with preparation for the meet: putting hair ribbons in, and painting up everyone’s legs with LT and WSC in red, black, silver and sparkly gold! I enjoyed staying busy over the course of this weekend because it kept my mind off of the still heavy and heartbreaking news of our dear Lisa. As we climbed in the elevator and headed down to the lobby to meet coach Jen, I felt a new energy surge through my body. I was ready to run.

We got to the course just in time to see the start of the open race, which to our dismay did not show case Jenny Barringer. Our red shirt freshies looked absolutely superb in their St Nicolas Flyers and Peyton Harriers uniform tops. I was amazed and excited to see so many people in the open race. I knew our youngins would run well and make Western proud. Finally, after many trips to the porta potty, and messing with random things, we started our warm up. The guy from the Denver Post was there, photographing and noting on how we interacted, and what our race day entailed. As we warmed up around the dirt path surrounding the course we talked about Lisa and how she loved conference. I remembered how pumped she would get for conference, and how she always ran well there no matter how she was feeling. We all knew we would need her strength to make it through.

Our uniform tops looked snazzy with the LT patches on the left corner, and our legs screamed with team spirit with the paint and sparkles. I felt a new bond between the girls as we made our way to the starting area. Coach Jen brought us in close and had yet another awesome pump up speech about how we are the underdogs, and no one expects anything of us, but we have what it takes. We have Lisa. We were stoked, and with three booming WSC’s, we made our way to the start line. I did one more stride, hoping my legs would feel a little better, however, unfortunately they did not and I accepted the fact that the race was not only going to be tough, it was going to be rough. Rough on the legs. As we stood around near our start box I noticed all the teams with LT written on their calves. Lisa was everywhere.

One of my favorite parts of racing with this team is the pre race ladies’ huddle. Sarah summoned it on this particular day and the nine of us linked arms, and came in close together. Sarah said some inspirational words about not giving up, and digging deep. I told the ladies to run for each other, and to run for Lisa. Hillory ended it with I love you guys which just about brought tears to my eyes. The next thing I knew we were in the box and it was almost time to go. Usually around this time my heart is racing and I feel totally terrified. I was surprised to find myself totally calm and relaxed, waiting anxiously for the gun to fire so I could start. Maybe it was Lisa that kept me calm in that moment, but I never once felt scared. I had my teammates with me, I had Lisa with me.

The gun fired after one false start and we were off. I could feel myself out in front and looked to the right and saw Sarah right there with me. We ran together up and over the first gradual hill and around the back bend. Around 800 meters the entire top 7 of Adam’s State passed me and looked as if they were consuming Sarah. I felt proud watching my teammate up there with the sea of white and green. Hillory was running with me now and I told her good job and to go. She floated pass me with ease and for one brief second I hesitated. I don’t know if it is my lack of experience or just straight chicken scratch that makes me hesitate, but it pissed me off and I put in a surge. My legs felt awful as I passed the fans and Coach Bradford yelled at me to move it. I tired to pick it up as my spikes pranced over the asphalt section of the course. Coach Jen was on the side now, screaming in my face and I kept my eyes forward. All I could see was colors, and I kept my eyes on the red and white up front. Just get there I told myself. Go help them. They need your help. Lisa’s voice was in my head now, yelling at me to get tough and have confidence. I remember hearing coach Dahlberg yelling at me to trust myself and go for it. I tried with all my might to pick it up and the next thing I knew I was starting the second loop. My legs felt like 200 pound weights, and my body ached all over. I touched my LT patch hoping for energy, and managed to pass one blue uniform in front of me. It felt as if every time I put in a surge my body responded as if I had just done a 200 on the track. My legs were telling me to stop, fall over, do anything to get out of this agony. My mind was telling me to keep going. Lisa was telling me to keep going. Coach Jen was on the side again yelling at me that every point counts, and to get up there with Lyle. I looked up and saw Sarah battling off a couple colors a few meters in front of me. Dig deep I told myself. Keep pushing. This isn’t as hard as it feels. My emotionally exhausted, physically depleted body somehow managed to get though two laps and I started into the third knowing it was only one more loop, but holy cow was that loop long. It is never a good idea to think about how long a distance is when you are racing. I wasted a few seconds focusing on the length and before I knew it I was on the back stretch again. Focus! I told myself. Coach Paul was screaming at me to pick off some girls. Coach Jen was there screaming and pointing and jumping up and down. I worked my way through the back stretch and managed to pass one girl. As I approached the final hill Michelle Davis was there telling me to dig deep and power up the hill. Her voice was calm but reassuring. I dug my spikes in and shortened my stride just as Coach Paul appeared again pleased that I had passed one girl, but told me to get the other two. I had just about settled between two blue people when Coach Jen appeared at the corner before the home stretch. She was more fierce than I have ever heard her, jumping up and down, pointing and yelling at me to pass those two girls or else we won’t get second! I felt boxed in but she told me to plow them over. As I came around the corner I swung wide and dug in. Not knowing I had anything left my legs started going faster and faster. I passed one, and then two and I could see a Mesa girl a few feet ahead. The crowd was roaring as I passed them and I focused on the finish line. You are never going to make it. I told myself. You started your kick too soon. Don’t let them catch you. Keep pushing. Keep going. Almost there.

I crossed the finish line and caught my breath in two seconds, pissed that I wasn’t the girl laying on the ground in a pile of exhausted. Dammit. Like most runners, I was pissed I didn’t run harder. Always have to have something to be mad about after a race. I found Hillory and Sarah and we embraced, and then looked for the other girls who were just coming through the shoot. Our freshmen had a nice pack of three with Webb a few spots back. Jen came running over and told us there was a good chance we had gotten second. We waited in anticipation for the final results, and chatted with alumni and parents who had come to support. Finally, Jen came back and someone told me we had gotten second. We beat Mesa state by 5 points. A rush of happiness came over me as the girls and I hugged and cheered in delight. Vandenbusche came over and told us he was proud. Coach Jen was proud. We were proud.

The team no one believed in and counted out had done it. This is what I love about Western. I love coming from behind, and in the words of Lisa Thomas, Schmaboogying the heck out of everyone. We are going to schmaboogie the other teams this year! Emily said and everyone laughed. No, we are going to JV kick the rest of the nation! I said, making everyone laugh harder. It’s commin, all the way from 14th (our current national rank).

After the men’s race, which was sheer excitement (they got 2nd too by the way!), we packed up and headed out. I took one last glimpse of the course, green and calm now without runners on it. I looked up at the sky and felt it. Right there, in that moment. That whole day. Lisa was there, with us and in us, like always, pushing us and guiding us through the race. I wanted to tell her about it, about how I felt and how proud I was of the team. I wanted to tell her how much she means to me, and how much she has helped me this season and over the past few years. I wanted her to tell me she was proud of me too. I guess there is no want. Lisa knows how I feel and how we need her to get through. She knows we did it on this particular day. I can still feel her everywhere. I smiled as I thought to myself how she schmaboogied her way into this one.. in some strange way her absence made us tougher. She gave us purpose. We had gotten second, which on this day was everything we could imagine. We dedicate this race to you, Lisa. Love you!