A fair bit has happened since I last wrote about XC.

First of all, I would like to highlight Nathan Schultz’s (7th, DMS) improvement. Schultz is 11 years old, and midway through this month, he ran six miles, seven if you count the warm-up and cool-down. I am almost certain that he is the youngest person in the history of Bob Jones XC to accomplish this, and certainly the youngest since I’ve been on the team. 

Nathan isn’t the only JV runner who is vastly improving. Many of them are now able to do mile repeats at paces quicker than their tryout pace, and an equal number are able to run four or five miles continuously. More consequently, in my opinion, they’re learning to like XC. According to Dean Charman, 

“I like XC because of the friends, the progress [I’m making], and the fact XC is an enjoyable nightmare.”

On the subject of Varsity, not a whole lot has changed. The people who were making progress are still making progress, and funny instances are less common amongst them, for they aren’t infected with brain rot. However, there are still funny moments. Watching Roman Hanson (10th) complain about being three seconds off pace on a five-mile run a day after he ran ten miles at 7:00 pace was most certainly funny. I guess the second most notable joke is that the number of Varsity runners who have promised to fish during practice is now greater than one. Unfortunately, no fishing will occur, as Friday the 26th was the last day of morning practice. When we practice in the mornings, we run so early that we beat the heat. However, that is a luxury no longer afforded to us, as Monday the 29th will be the first day of afternoon practice. 

If you’ve never run eight miles with hills on a triple-digit heat index, here’s my advice:

Please drink some water beforehand; otherwise, you might die. That’s not a joke. 

In other news:

• We have been blessed with clouds for the next week, so we will certainly be grateful for that.
• According to one of the JV runners, my name is Tony Stark.