The Running Nelson's

Perry Men's CC State Meet

2011-11-06T22:04:00.000-05:00

What an absolutely beautiful day the guys had in their run down in Hebron Ohio for the State Division II title. Even though our guys didn't take first place, all of them had a spectatular performance, and 4 out of 7 of them had new PR's. Coach Sarvis tells me that the other 3 who didn't attain a new PR were within 10 seconds total of their PR, so you can ask for a heck of a lot more than that. You guys made all of us proud to be Perry Pirates!

Please enjoy this video from the event, and we will see you all at the Cross Banquet shortly.

HD Video can be viewed Here

Pictures located HERE

2011 Regional Meet - Here we come Columbus!

2011-10-30T20:31:00.002-04:00

What a cold and miserable day, but in the end, our boys team placed 3rd out of 16 teams and will be heading down to Columbus to compete is the State Tournament! Way to go guys! It was a brutal course due to the deteriorating course conditions, but you stuck in there and accomplished a great feat.

Our two girls did well, but were unable to snag spots in the top 16 finishers to continue on next week. It was a bittersweet end for them, but we know they will help propel the girls varsity team next year.

Great job everyone and we will see you all again next week at the National Trail Raceway in Hebron Ohio for the State Tournament.

Video may be viewed in HD Here

Photos are located Here

Song Info: Intro by The XX
Voice Over from various movies, news clips, and interviews.

2011 District Meet - Do it for Dominic

2011-10-24T06:26:00.001-04:00

What a beautiful weekend, but a really wet course. I was really surprised that nobody lost their shoes in the mud on Saturday.

It was a bitter end for the ladies team as they placed 5th overall, but needed to be in the top 4 teams to advance to the next round. Two of our ladies (Marissa Sell and Maggie Hale) though did make it to the next round by being in the top 16 runners.

Our boys just had s stellar performance and was good to see them take 1st place and advance to the Regional Meet next weekend down at Boardman. Now, that is how you run guys!! Great job to all!!

Here is the link to the HD video, or you may watch it in SD below.

Link to the Photos

Week 4 - Boardman Invitational

2011-09-18T20:31:00.001-04:00

These kids are awesome! Great day for a run and great to see everyone doing there best. A special shout out to the guys JV team for coming in 3rd place against some extremely competitive teams! Great job everyone!

"Human beings are made up of flesh and blood, and a miracle fiber called courage"

-George Patton

If you wish to see the video in HD, please follow the link HERE, otherwise you cal watch it in standard definition below.

Photos: LINK

Week 3 - Walsh Tomahawk Run

2011-09-11T21:06:00.000-04:00

Great week for running. Perfect temps and the rain help off. On top of all that, our beloved Harriers took 2nd and 3rd place for guys and gals varsity respectively. Great job gang, and we will see you all again next week at Boardman.

HD Video: Link (note, this will open a new window)
Pictures: http://photobucket.com/Walsh2011

Don't Look Back - Perry CC Week 2

2011-09-05T19:43:00.000-04:00

Wow, the heat and humidity was tough this week, but our beloved Harriers showed the course who is championship material. This was the first time we have run this course and it was difficult, with's its hills and other challenges. You all did outstanding and we are all proud of you!

A special thank you goes out again this week to the Bryan's for sharing their pictures. I'm always excited to get different pictures to include with each weeks video. If you would like to contribute, you may email me or track me down.

HD Video may be viewed here: HD Video

Pictures: Download

Week 1 - 2011 - Berkshire & Salem

2011-08-29T12:42:00.002-04:00

WHat a great start to the year, as we see our beloved Harriers go back to the Birkshire and Salem meets. At Salem, we saw the Guys take 3rd place overall with our freshman Dustin Gilbert finish 8th overall. The Varsity ladies also did well at Salem finishing a very respectable 4th place with Jackie Tenney finishing 10th overall.

Over at Berkshire, the guys finished 11th, and since we did not have a full team for the ladies, we do not get ranked.

Next up, we will see everyone together at the "U Wanna Come Back" meet at Camp Stigwandish in Madison Ohio.

HD Version of this video is here: http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=2391500112811
Photos: Download

CVC 2010

2010-10-18T06:04:00.004-04:00

What a fantastic run!! Ladies and guys both take 3rd! See you next week in the post season!!

Download: Photos

Boardman - 2010 - Carpe Diem

2010-09-19T12:56:00.012-04:00

I'm really stuck right now as how to write a brief summary of what we saw yesterday. Yes, there were those who were sick, or injured; and then there were the others. I think this was the first time in four years that I had seen this and been at a loss of words.

So let me leave you with these simple thoughts. Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero, or Seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the future. Enjoy your youth before it's too late and remember that you only live this life once, so make the best of it.

"While we speak, envious time will have already fled. Seize the day, trusting as little as possible in the future." - Horace

Photos

Walsh 2010

2010-09-13T19:43:00.005-04:00

It would help if I had a few more hours in the day as I keep running out of time to get these videos and photos done. Regarless, here you go.

What a great showing again from the team at Walsh. The pack mentality is alive and well. The girls took 2nd and the boys took 9th. It's great looking through my viewfinder and then seeing a blob of red, all together, and then having to be faced with the challenge of making sure I don't miss anyone.

Anyhow, I'm sure there were a number of PR's set again this week.

Photos Download: Link

Cardinal Classic

2010-09-04T18:31:00.008-04:00

Wow... first year in four that I have been to Mentor and there wasn't much sun... what's up with that. Well, the Perry kids did good again with keeping a nice pack. Now we just need them to work that pack up the ladder.

See you all next week at Walsh.

Pictures Download -> Link

Video Download -> Link

No Excuses, nobody cares!
- Unknown

Salem 2010 Pictures and Video

2010-08-31T12:35:00.003-04:00

Sorry I wasn't able to include these when I did the main post, but better late than never.

Salem Pictures Download --> Link

Salem Video Download --> Link

Salem 2010

2010-08-29T21:33:00.005-04:00

What a great week! Beautiful weather, and fast runners. I do believe a few PR's were set, and the ladies took 1st and guys took 4th. See you all next week.

Also, check back later for the pictures that you can download. I haven't had a chance to upload them yet. Enjoy the video in HD this week. If anyone has any problems with the video, please let me know. I'm trying new places to host the video.

Results located here --> Link

"Many people shy away from hills. They make it easy on themselves, but that limits their improvement. The more you repeat something, the stronger you get."
- Joe Catalano

2010 Time Trials

2010-08-23T05:47:00.010-04:00

Here we go again boys and girls!Our Harriers are off to a great start. As last years Seniors head off to college we bring in our Freshmen and watch the rest of the team grow. This year proves to be exciting as always.

Tune in next week as the Varsity teams travel to Salem for the Salem Invitational.

Download Video --> http://dc198.4shared.com/download/90anAlvX/2010_Time_Trials.mpg

"In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that."
- Author Unknown

Ladies Take 4th Place @ State Championships!!

2009-11-10T16:04:00.004-05:00

What a beautiful end to a fantastic year, and thank the good Lord we had beautiful weather last Saturday! Ladies, you outdid yourself again. Not only did you get back to the state championships this year, you did one better than you did last year.

Although the course was not very spectator or camera friendly, I tried my best to get as good of pictures as I could. It was a little hard trying to pick you all out due to the distance and the fact that ya fooled us with your uniforms. :) Anyhow, this one if for you Abbie, Marissa, Rachel, Ally, Kristin, Jackie, and Ashley.

Photos: Download

Video: Download

2009 Regionals

2009-11-03T04:51:00.000-05:00

The girls are back!! What a fantastic Saturday the Lady Pirate Harriers had this week, and what a cherished moment when they found out the whole team was going back to state this year. I tell you what, it was tough racing conditions as we all saw. With the wind that cut to the bone, and the the overcast, and the cold temps. What wasn't surprising though was their ability to run as a team and get points together. I can't wait to see them all at Scioto Downs this weekend.

Brien, I am so sorry, but I don't have any pictures of you when you ran. Mrs Nelson and I were freezing and we didn't stay to watch you run. You had an awesome season, and had so much fun watching you get better each week. Best of luck to you next year and there after.

Photos: Download

Video: Download

District Tournament

2009-10-26T08:49:00.003-04:00

Wow... what a nail bitter. Girls, outstanding job in going on to the next phase to State, and guys, I have enjoyed watching you all season, and just can't believe it is over for you as a team, you fought a good fight. It takes a special person to accept defeat, and for the Juniors, Sophomores, and Freshmen, I wish you luck next year, and for the Seniors, I hope you continue running after High School and remember all the joy it has brought you, and the better person it has made you. Dean and Bryan, it's not over for you yet, so stick with it, and there is nothing that is telling me or anyone else that you can not go to the State Championships and win. It's all up to you, and deep down, you know you want it.

Video: Download

Photos: Download

CVC League Meet

2009-10-19T09:29:00.003-04:00

What a way to end the regular season on your home turf Harriers!! Ladies, you were awesome, and guys, you did great too!

What I thought was going to be a dreary day, sure turned into a fantastic Perry afternoon, and the weather wasn't bad either.

Now, the fun part of the season starts gang. Don't look back, keep laddering up, and victory will be yours!

Video: Download

Photos: Download

Pictures Needed

2009-10-10T11:40:00.002-04:00

Folks, I apologize, but I was sick this weekend and unable to get down to the Legends meet. If you or your parents to pictures, please let us know and put them on a CD and I will incorporate them into this weeks slide show. You can email me at johnvnelson (at) gmail.com and I will have someone pick them up on Sunday.

Thanks everyone!!

Strongsville...Oops

2009-09-28T16:05:00.001-04:00

Guess it would help if I posted the Streaming Video.... sorry about that gang. :)

Strongsville

2009-09-27T15:50:00.002-04:00

Covered in rain, yes, that describes the meet fairly good. You guys and gals are tough as nails! All I can say is that when Mrs Nelson and I showed up at the meet, I said to myself, I just want to go home. The rain was like ice, and burned right through to the bone. As we came upon the varsity girls, we heard Ally call out "Mom, Dad!", and we saw the varsity girls standing in the rain, with Coach Sarvis all huddled together. Tough as Nails, and covered in rain they were.

I tell you gang, I don't know how any of you did it, but you did an awesome job! It was rainy, cold, bitter, but you gave it your all and kept on fighting it on just like a Perry Pirate Harrier would.

I know in my heart and soul, you all made your parents proud, your teammates proud, your coaches proud, and all of Perry Proud.

GO PIRATES!

Photos: Download 560 MB

Video: Download 461 MB

"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're a lion or gazelle - when the sun comes up, you'd better be running."
- Inspirational sign on a runner's office wall

Boardman 2009

2009-09-20T07:58:00.005-04:00

What a beautiful day for a meet. Remember last year? Rain, mud, etc, but not this year.

As always, there were a boatload of teams, and you held your own again and did quite well. You ALL impressed us and we are all so very proud of you. Since you fought the good fight this weekend, I'm going to give you a taste of some great classic rock from the Canadian power trio who infused guitar athletics with eyebrow raising falsettos and a haze of dry ice. As the song says, you fought the good fight!

Thanks to Mr Baranauskas for the song suggestion for this week!

Video: Download

Photos: Download

"" What lies behind us and what lies ahead of us are small compared to what lies within us."
~ Ralph Waldo Emmerson

2009 Photos

2009-09-15T20:47:00.002-04:00

I have received a few requests from various athletes and parents if it would be possible to get copies of the photos that I take each week. While it would be hard to satisfy single requests for a specific picture, I am going to ZIP up each weeks photos and post them for download.

I will re-size the photos to 1024x768 to make it easier to download and for space considerations. Each week I will post the link for the photos with the video download in the post. If you would like to download your son or daughters pictures, please feel free to do so.

For the previous weeks posts, I have added them to the prior posts. If you don't see all of them for 2009, just give me time as I get them uploaded.

Is the future is any indication of the past....

2009-09-13T19:57:00.009-04:00

Wow!!!! If the future of the Perry Pirate Harriers is any representation of what we just saw this past weekend, I have a funky, feeling we will be going back to State again this year!

It is so great to see all of you giving so much every week, and improving so much each week.

I know you all are improving every week, but I have no doubt you all are saving the best for last when you are at State! You know you want it!!!

Download Video: Walsh 2009 592MB

Download Photos: Walsh_Photos.zip 63 MB

“If you want to become the best runner you can be, start now. Don't spend the rest of your life wondering if you can do it.”

~ Priscilla Welch

Download Slideshow's

2009-09-08T14:01:00.004-04:00

I have had a few people ask me if there is a way to download the sideshows so they can keep them. I'm happy to report that I upgraded the account I had with 4shared.com and now now I will post a link to each of the downloads with each post.

For the Salem and Mentor videos, here are the download links. If anyone has problems with these, please let me know.

Mentor 2009
Salem 2009

Mentor 2009

2009-09-08T08:03:00.003-04:00

Wow!! Talk about some killer PR's this weekend Batman. It was nice to see all of you step up and crack it up a notch. Mentor has always been one of my favorite runs as it is a beautiful park to run in and many great opportunities to see you all at many different spots. Although, I refrained like running like a gazelle through the high brush like Coach Thomas did.

Next week is Walsh which is another great course. Because of work, I will only be able to stay for part of the race, but I will have a trusty sidekick taking pictures, so no fear, there will be a video.

I hope you enjoy this one, I had a blast making it for you all.

"Racing teaches us to challenge ourselves. It teaches us to push beyond where we thought we could go. It helps us to find out what we are made of. This is what we do. This is what it's all about."
-PattiSue Plumer, U.S. Olympian

If you are viewing this from Facebook, please visit http://www.runningnelsons.blogspot.com/ for the entire blog with slide show.

Download Photos: Mentor Photos

Song Ideas

2009-09-01T16:23:00.002-04:00

I'm looking for some song ideas for future meets. If you have any, please let me know by using the comments link below.

Salem 2009

2009-08-31T21:43:00.005-04:00

Well, I'm sorry again, it took longer than we would all like but I had, but here you all go Harrier fans. Great first week for the Varsity, and from what I hear, the JV team did Outstanding as well.

PS, I had to change sites that I upload the video to, and if you have issues with slowness or anything else, PLEASE let me know. Thank you.

"The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare."
-Juma Ikangaa, 1989 NYC Marathon winner

For those of you viewing this on Facebook, visit http://runningnelsons.blogspot.com/ to see the cool video.

For the Love of the Run

2009-08-25T21:36:00.006-04:00

Well here we go gang. Took a little longer than I wanted and it's a little rough, but I promise this will get better as the season goes on.

Best of luck to all you Harriers and let's go back to State again this year.

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start"
- John Bingham

And we're, off like a heard of turtles....

2009-08-25T19:08:00.003-04:00

Well, at least I am. Stay tuned gang, there should be an update anytime now on the time trials. I recently re-setup my PC, so I'm having to re-install some software, but the show will go on....and Be Sure to Drink Your Ovaltine.....

Chagrin Valley Championships

2008-10-12T13:07:00.010-04:00

I believe Mr Mueller said it best at the meet when he said "Those kids gave me goose bumps!" How right he is. You kids take our breaths away when you run like you do and send chills down our spines. Each of you had the time of your lives this weekend, and you defended your prominent place in the Chagrin Valley Conference by usurping 1st place in both the guys and ladies varsity division. Every single one of you should be proud, because without everyone on the team, from the fastest to the slowest, you would be nothing and you all add to the dimensions and class and character of your team.

At the end, there were a few of you who were disappointed in yourselves that you didn't do as well as you wanted. That can be heart wrenching at times, but you did your best on Saturday, and that is what matters. Some of you may have been coming off of injuries, and some of you were suffering with some. What matters is you fought the pain, the fear, and the suffering and gave it your all and did your best.

No matter what, you will look back at these times many years from now, and wish you could relive them all over again. Cherish these times, and relish the glory of what you have achieved.

Next week is fast approaching and we will see you again at the Districts at Lakeland Community College.

“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift”

– Steve Prefontain

Legends Invitationl 2008

2008-10-05T19:09:00.011-04:00

Holy Pirate Popping PR's Batman, did our beloved Harriers have a great week this week! Many of them had personal records set again. Are these kids on fire or what!?

After a brutal race last week at CVNP, this race was a pleasant relief. The temps were in the 60's, the sky was blue with little puffy clouds, not much wind, and a nice and level course.

The day started off with the men's varsity running. Dean "the face" Light took 1st place overall, but the rest of the team really kicked some tail. Having Dan back was great because he filled in the slight gap between Dean and whomever is in the 2nd spot. This help tighten the pack up, and all the guys did outstanding work keeping that pack together and allowing the guys to take 1st place overall! Four of the guys got medals, and all of them got an outstanding trophy for the school and a Legends Champions T-Shirt.

Next up were the Ladies Varsity team. Ally again ran with the varsity team. Abbie Clifford took the race with a 1st place, and all the girls formed a tight pack. The team took 2nd place overall, and they too received a fantastic trophy fr the school.

The Men's and Ladies open class then ran and some outstanding performances were seen their. For the men's, Adam took 1st place over all, and many guys and gals hit all new PR's for themselves.

All I can say team is outstanding job this week!! You worked hard and it shows! Keep up that attitude because next up is the CVC Championship run at our home turf, the Perry OFC. Since you know this course, I hope to see us sweep 1st places their.

For next week, I'm going to ask again that you pick the song that you want for the slide show. Please make sure you vote.

Any idiot can run …
It takes a special kind of idiot to run cross country.

CVNP - Do we love hills or what!!

2008-09-28T21:43:00.009-04:00

Wow... Do we love hills or what!!?? Man, I can't even imagine running the CVNP course, you ALL are my heroes! It seemed like 4.9 kilometers of all up hill! For the difficulty of that course, you all did wonderful! With Abbie out 38.5 seconds from the second place girl and Meredith setting an all new PR. Way to go team.

I tell you one thing, when I watched you all finish down that hill, I could see ALL of you reaching deep down inside and pulling it from the gut. That's the way to do it.

I will tell you one other thing. I saw a friend of mine out there who's son runs for Lake Catholic (Go Cougars... sorry, I graduated from there). He said they were totally unprepared for the amount and difficulty of the hills that CVNP has. He also commented about Perry and how strong they looked. You know what? You need to thank your coaches for that. They train you hard, and I am sure there are time you resent Mr Sarvis or Mr Thomas for making you do hill repeats, and all of that stuff, but it makes you all the more better. Anyone can run on a flat piece of land. It takes a special team to train on insane hills and grow from it.

Also, please take a look at the web site. On the right hand side I have a poll asking for what song you want to see for the legends meet. I will take the number 1 song that wins (and maybe the number 2 song if I need an extra one). If you have any other suggestions, please send them my way.

Next up, the Legends meet. From what I understand, this is a flat course, but that doesn't mean to let up on the intensity of your training.

Running.
No timeouts, no substitutions,
no excuses. The only real sport!

Ideas for music

2008-09-23T12:45:00.005-04:00

I am starting to run out of ideas for song choices for the slide shows. If you wouldn't mind commenting to this post with some ideas I would greatly appreciate it. Either that or you may e-mail me at johnvnelson@gmail.com

Thanks everyone!

GO HARRIERS!

Strongsville Invitational

2008-09-20T19:12:00.012-04:00

Pain, fear, struggle, "God please let me do it this time", excitement! When I look through my lens every weekend, I see the faces of hundreds of kids and that is what I see on their faces. And you know what? They are all heroes! How many of us can do those things that they do? The practice, the schooling, the homework, the race and everything in between!

This week, I saw so many kids give it their all! Look at the faces, look at the expressions. I know it was warm out, and I know it was a new course, but these kids all looked outstanding today. They all gave it their all. Some did outstanding, some came back from being injured, some were injured, and some were sad. The fact of the matter is, NONE OF YOU should be ashamed of how you did because you made all of us proud. You are AWESOME!!!

And as you are reaching that finish line, and you are saying to yourself "I can't do it! I don't have anything more in me!", reach down deep inside. Look for that fire within and give it more than your all. Cross that finish line in a blaze of glory and let the stands gasp and say you are animals!

Next up, CVNP.... let's run for the hills! See you there!

Pain is Temporary, Pride is forever!!

Boardman Invitational

2008-09-13T17:54:00.011-04:00

Holy mud butt's Batman!! Wow, was it WET and MUDDY today, but our Harriers did awesome given the circumstances. There were a few slips and wipe outs, but they all hung in there even during the torrential rain.

This was the type of race that the kids love to have (well, some of them). Do you remember wanting to go play out in the rain when you were a little kid? Well, that's what they got to do today.

The course was tight, packed with teams, and almost impossible to navigate due to the muddy conditions. As each race progressed, the course got worse. The last Harrier group to race was the girls varsity group and they by far had the worst conditions. Extremely heavy rains, and a field of mud to run on. Not the ideal situation to do a PR. That doesn't matter though, because all the teams had the same circumstances to deal with.

This was a huge race too. In the boys varsity, there were 39 teams competing.

All in all, you can be proud of your Perry Pirate Harriers. They did an OUTSTANDING job!!

Next up, Strongsville on Sept. 20th. I better see you there!

Don’t worry, you’ll pass out before you die

View Larger Map

Walsh Tomahawk Run

2008-09-08T09:26:00.011-04:00

Wow! The times just keep on coming down. BJ, Nick and Ally set three new PR's this week, as did a number of the kids on the Perry team. Abbie Clifford had an amazing race for the girls varsity and finished 1st overall and she was a whole minute and one second faster than the 2nd place girl with a time of 18:31.

Ally stepped it up this week too and finished 18th overall with a time of 23:08 in the Open/JV class. Nick broke the 20 minute barrier and finished at 19:46. BJ came so close to breaking the 20 minute barrier but finished at 20:06. We are confident he will achieve his goal at the next meet as he keeps shaving time off each week. C'mon BJ... run like a rabid Pit Bull with AIDS is chasing you. We know you can do it.

It was great to see this week so many kids break out and achieve such great results. Time & time again we saw on these athletes’ faces that they had pushed beyond physical & emotional limits, endured knee-buckling pain and emerged better for having made the effort. Way to go Perry! We are so proud of ALL OF YOU!

Next week the team will be at Boardman.

Trample the dead, hurdle the weak!

View Larger Map

Mentor Cardinal Classic

2008-09-03T07:59:00.006-04:00

Good morning Harrier fans! The Cross team did an outstanding job this past weekend. The Ladies teams took 2nd, 3rd, and 3rd in the Varsity, JV and Open classes respectively. The guys took 6th, 5th and 8th.

Ally had a great race and shaved 22.58 seconds off of the Berkshire race for a race time of 24:12.47. She was 26th overall and got a ribbon accordingly.

Nick and BJ did good too. Nick drafted off of BJ for almost the entire race, and then the two of them decided to have a sprint for it at the very end. I think because BJ was leading the entire race, Nick had saved up some energy at the end and was able to overtake him. Nick's time was 20:39.04 and BJ's was 20:41.31. The irony of the whole this is last year, BJ and Nick also finished just as close, but BJ came in before Nick. Regardless, they both improved their times considerably this year over last, by reducing their time by 2 1/2 minutes each!! This just goes to show the determination that all these kids have!

At the next meet I think BJ is going to hit his goal of sub 20 minutes!! Let's see you do it BJ... we know you have it in you. Just remember, that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Keep those nice smooth long strides and work your ladder and you will do it.

Way to go Perry!! Next stop, Walsh Jesuit which is down near Stow Ohio. I hope to see you there!

View Larger Map

2008 Berkshire Early Bird

2008-08-29T09:18:00.006-04:00

Are these kids incredible or what!!?? Wow, our beloved Pirates outdid themselves again.

The Berkshire run is an interesting run because we only have our JV teams there and not the varsity team, BUT the other schools have their varsity teams present, so it really puts the JV teams to the test.

This course was tough this year because of all the dips and holes in the course. BJ was hit hard by this in the very beginning where he actually fell because of an unseen hole. He never really was able to recover from this and didn't do as well as he would have liked to. He didn't give up though and toughed it out.

On the right of the screen you will see a list of the 2008 Perry CC Meet Schedule & Results. Follow this and you can see all the kids results. For our kids, Ally finished in 24.25.05 and in 4th place for Perry and 87th overall (out of 215 ladies).

Nick finished in 20:59.32 and in 5th place for Perry and 107 overall (out of 269 guys). And BJ finished with 21:29.82 and 8th for Perry and 137th overall.

For those of you who have never been to one of these races, take a look at the kids faces to see the story that it tells. Imagine running 5k as hard as you can! That's a long way, and the story their faces tell is amazing. These kids all have guts, determination, and the I WILL NOT QUIT attitude that we all should be proud of!

Next up, the Mentor Cardinal Classic at Garfield Park in Mentor. I hope to see you there! Just remember, Cross Country is the only real fall sport!

2008 Time Trials

2008-08-20T13:38:00.010-04:00

Wow!! Where are we runnin'? I'll tell you where. To the state finals!

On August 16th, BJ, Nick, Ally and the rest of the Perry Cross team had their time trials. This was the first time the team actually ran in race conditions on a measured 5km (3.1 miles) course. All the kids did fantastic!

Ally had an all time great with a time of 24 minutes 12 seconds and landed herself the 5th position (out of seven) on the girls JV team. Nick came in with a time of 20 minutes and 35 seconds , which is a new PR (personal record) for him, and the 6th position on the boys JV team. BJ topped them all with a time of 20 minutes and 30 seconds and either the 4th or 5th position on the boys JV team. I'm not sure which position BJ received because he tied with another boy.

Just so you all understand, the teams are designed as follows. There is a varsity team of the 7 fastest runners. Then there is a JV team, with the next 7 fastest. Lastly, there is the open class where all the others run.

As you can tell, Raquel and I are very proud of our three Pirates, and the entire team as well. These kids are all AWESOME and we wish them all the best of luck this season!!

This coming Saturday the varsity teams will be running in Salem, and the JV and Open class will be running at Berkshire. Why not come out and cheer these kids on their way! C'mon.. what are you waiting for? This isn't like anything you have seen before. What these kids do is punishment for the football players.

10 Mile fundraiser (Part 2)

2008-08-12T12:09:00.006-04:00

I wanted to share with everyone a slide show of all the kids running the 10 mile run. These kids are incredible! Click on the video below to play it (turn up the sound).

10 Mile fundraiser

2008-08-11T08:52:00.007-04:00

Holy running shoes Batman, they all did it!! Wow, talk about determination, but BJ, Nick and Ally all made the 10 mile run. Raquel and I are so proud of them.

The day was perfect for running too. Low 70's, hardly any humidity, little blue puffy clouds, and the rush of adrenaline in the air. This day is not about how fast you can run 10 miles, or even if you can run the entire course. It is about the journey, and proving to yourself that you can run, as a team, in a race.

Many of the first year runners I'm sure were a little scared, and that is okay. The reason the coaches have this run is more about the kids proving to themselves that they CAN run at least 3.1 miles (5k, the length of an official HS meet).

So what goes into preparing for something like this? Intense training six days a week. On Saturday's, they have a fun run through Indian Point down by the Grand River. There, they will run all kinds of hills, do Indian Run's and other team building and character building things. This involves more than running through. During the week, they also have to watch their diet. Carbonated beverages are strictly prohibited, and eating healthy is something they try and do.

Next up, time trials at Perry's official course, the YMCA Outdoor Family Center on August 16th.

The season has begun

2008-08-09T11:48:00.003-04:00

Well, the season has officially begun. How do I know? Well, the TP'ing of cross runners homes is the tell tale sign of the year officially beginning. Each year, the boys sneak out, and armed with a couple of hundred rolls of TP (and various other items... Cheerios, Ravioli, um and now Toilet's.) and TP the girls homes. Likewise, the girls do the same to the boys. Well, with having one girl and two boys in the family, this get's interesting to say the least. You can see some of the artwork below.

Next up, the 10 mile fundraiser on Sunday August 10th!