The Cross Country season has come to a close, and now we are all preparing for the new season. Indoor Track. The first meet will be on Friday, January 11th at the Armory in Harlem, NY. The name of the meet is the NYC Gotham Cup. Being this is the season opener, it's not expected what will come our way. We all are  about a few weeks into our training, starting our workouts, getting stronger by the day. There's definitely a significant amount of talent on this team. The girl's have set a standard of going to National's as a cross country team. Setting a goal for the next two seasons. This team, so far has shown that even if they aren't ready for something they'll still bring all they have. With the winter break coming up, it gives us a chance to focus, and get back into the mindset of the indoor season. New season, new goals, all set for the New Year.

Adelphi Track Schedule

Women and Men's 2012 Track & Field Team
Picture taken by Adelphi Athletics 

"Mock Meet"

Friday, December 14th. The Adelphi Women and Men's Track & Field team held a "mock meet" on the turf, meaning it's supposed to resemble an actual meet, but of course it is not actually one. There was three teams divided up between the colors gold, brown, and white. The sprinters and distance runners had to switch places for the day. They weren't allowed to run the events they usually do, that was the challenge. As, crazy as it may sound, it was actually a fun learning experience, even though the weather temperature wasn't ideal. That night showed the true determination, and care the members on both track team's have for one another and the sport. The winning team would receive a trophy. This was the first year it has ever been done. Starting a new tradition. That is what being on a team is about. If it weren't for Katie Rees, Kelvin, or Count, we wouldn't be where we all are now. Their beliefs in us is outstanding. A little tough love definitely goes a long way. The results of the meet ending up being, Gold as the winners. It's always exciting starting the season with a positive note, and this definitely has kicked it off into that direction.

Running Logs

Our coach for the Adelphi Women's Cross Country team always suggests we keep track of the work we do. A running log. It's the "diary" of running. It's a daily tracker of the amount of mileage you run a day, and add up the total by the end of the week. Also, this helps keep track of the work you do in the gym in terms of lifting, the amount of reps with crunches, pushups, etc. It's also used as a motivating tool. You can see week by week the progress you've made, and it's always a confidence booster. As the saying goes, "Your PR is what you were." 

"Not So Sweet"

Nutrition

As a runner, ideally being on a health diet would lead you a step closer to progress. Of course it's easier said than done, but there's many ways to keep yourself healthy, and still have your "cake too." It's about portion size. Taking into consideration what should and shouldn't be eaten. Simply, replace a waffle for oatmeal and fruit. Lunch replace a burger with a turkey sandwich. Dinner, have vegetables, and grilled chicken. The essential needs are necessary as well. Eating portion size, doesn't mean cutting out meats, while that might seem right, it's only damaging your system more, by not getting the right about of protein or iron. Most important for runners. The Adelphi Women's Cross Country coach always hands out a nutrition packet at the beginning of the seasons to encourage her runner's to stay well fit, and eat the right foods. 

What better way to keep track of what's right than to follow a nutrition blog?

Nutrition Blog

"Inspiration"

With any sport, all you need is a little inspiration. In terms of my career so far as a runner, my inspiration always and will be my high school coach. He was truly an outstanding man. He put himself before everyone else. Was always there not just as a coach, but a mentor. When he talked to you, it was always with purpose. Hedge, was a memory of high school that will stand out always. He created a team with a strong bond. Family. That was how I referred to my team. He had this contagious personality, always knew how to make you smile even if you were down. That's an inspiration. 

Turkey Trot 2012
Coach Katie (Far Left)

Coach Hedge
High School Varsity Dinner

Then going into the real world, as you grow up, you meet new people. Entering my collegiate career, my coach Katie is an inspiration, along with my teammates. They all have something to bring to the table, and never takes no for an answer. You always learn something from someone, take a piece of that with you and move on. Stringing this back into running, when you have that one inspiration, the one person you can look up to, you know from then on that there was a reason they had such belief in you. When you feel you can't go any faster, they make sure you know you can. That's the care of a coach. That's what makes this journey so rewarding. 

When the Olympics come about every four years, it's always a big event. Even for the people who aren't into  swimming, gymnastics, track & field, etc. It still always is the most popular watched program on television when the time comes. In the "running world," two athletes truly inspire me to put forth my passion for running. Lolo Jones, and Nick Symmonds. Lolo Jones is known for her 400 meter hurdle race, and Nick Symmonds is known for his 800 meter race.

Lolo Jones

Everyone starts somewhere. It always amazes me how someone gets so far in life. It's not the easiest way up, but it is always worth it. To watch these two athletes train for years, for that one race is absolutely incredible. That one race, they never have a let down. That says more than anyone could understand. To have the will to win, means you have the heart of a champion. When you have two people representing the USA the way they do, it makes it seem as though the impossible just might be possible.

Nick Symmonds

 “I want to find that defining moment that you’re satisfied and you've done what you want to do in your life.” -Tyson Gay
                                                                                 

Running Community

We all live in a community. Simply, because the people who surround you in your town, makes up the community. In the sport of cross country, and track & field, a community has been created. It's not like any other sport. Of course, athletes who play the same sports find that common ground, and only remain with that. When a runner interacts with another runner, you are always guaranteed to walk away with a different outlook on how you've done something all your life. It's an automatic family feeling aspect. That's what is so great about it. No matter what, you will always have someone there to get you through the harder days. Runner's understand one another, the pain, the hard work, motivation, and patience that is put into this sport. That is the beauty of it.

Before

Nationals. It was the experience of a lifetime. Leaving at 3:45 AM, Thursday, November 15th, was definitely a challenge. Can't say we were the friendliest, but it was worth it. We took two planes. The first departed from La Guardia Aiport, and laid over into Ohio. From there, we were only a plane ride away from our dream. We finally, made it into Arkansas. With our destination only being an hour away by car, at this point, you could only imagine the hungry struggle. Stopping off at a deli was the best decision of the trip. McAlister's, the best deli in Joplin, Missouri. Of course opinion not fact. After eating a delicious meal, we were well on our way to the hotel. Knowing the race was only two days away, always sparked a few nerves, but never took away from the moments. 

Jennifer McNally & Larissa Melendez
Ohio Airport

Arkansas Airport

McAlister's Deli "Spud"

McAlister's Deli Menu
Joplin, Missouri

Middle

We ran the course the day we got there, and the following day. It gave us the chance to get familiar with what our competition grounds would be like. This course was like no other that we've ever seen. It had the NCAA logo painted near the starting line. Large, professional signs, were fenced around the entire beginning of the course. We used this time to bond, and come together as a team one last time. To give it all we have. What better of an idea is there for a bunch of girls to do together than to see the new Twilight! After, the movie, we enjoyed ourselves at the Award Ceremony. There we watched the top athletes from each region get awarded, and the head coach of the Adelphi Women's Cross Country Team, got awarded coach of the year. Well deserved. 

NCAA Logo near the starting line of the course
Joplin, Missouri

Katie Rees, Head Coach (Third one from the right) Coach of the year
Picture taken by Adelphi Athletics

End

Race day. The moment has finally come for us to do what we've been waiting all season for. What seemed only like a dream becoming reality. Everyone girl standing at that line deserved the spot they were in. From, day one of the season we were a different team. Everyone had the same goal, and for that reason is why we got to Nationals. As we all approached the line, what seemed like an eternity, ended up flashing before our eyes. Having near 300 girls if not more in our race, truly made the race intimidating, but we weren't going to let that hold us back. Being it was our first Nationals race, nothing huge was expected from us, but the expectation was running with our hearts. As, cliche as that sounds, it was true. The results left us with the title of being the 26th best team in the nation. The proudest moment of our lives. If I could go back, it wouldn't be to change anything, but to experience it again. This team truly is something else. 

Awards Ceremony
Picture taken by Adelphi Athletics

Post race picture
Picture taken by Adelphi Athletics

Pre-race picture
Picture taken by Adelphi Athletics

Hello! Checking in about the Adelphi Women's Cross Country team's progress over the course of the past few weeks. To get started, we competed in our NE-10 Regional meet on November 4th at Mines Falls Park  in Nashua, New Hampshire. That was our ticket to Nationals. All we needed was all of us to come together like always, and give every last thing we had. It's just an amazing feeling

to be a part of a team that shares the same goal as you. To have the same drive, and passion. That's what makes a great team. Not the talent, or wins, but the way you work together, how you can call each other family. That's what this team became.

 It truly showed on the course that day.  

     

Adelphi Women's Cross Country Team (Andrew Coelho, Center) Picture taken by Adelphi Athletics

                                                                                                                                                         

Jennifer McNally & Larissa Melendez
NE-10 Regionals Pre Race 

Women's 2012 Regional Race Results

As soon as the gun went off, that was it. What ever we gave out there was our all, and never looked back. We had four girls finish in the top 25 which earned them all-region honors (Elizabeth Eickelberg, Larissa Melendez, Jacqueline Kaste, and Jennifer McNally). The following three girls ran with guts, and showed exactly how hard work pays off. Our final result was truly the most memorable. Referring back to "that moment." The moment where every tear, pain, and sweat shed during that season came down to this final race. My coach announced that we placed second in the race which earned us our spot to Nationals. Nothing else mattered, but that moment there with my team. A season ending race for most was just the beginning for us. 

                           



Interview with Head Coach