Cross Country

As a sixth grader, Caden had an opportunity to join the cross country team. There was no doubt in Caden's mind that he wanted to join the team. He looked forward to the start of the season all summer. Daily practice (on weekdays with recommended individual weekend running) started at the beginning of August. Practices started out in the morning before the school year started and changed to after school with one before-school practice once a week when the school year began. Having a daily commitment was a big change for our family! Practices consisted of speed work at shorter distances and/or running 2/3/4 miles depending on the day. Caden thoroughly enjoyed the experience. He loved being on a team with several friends, and he made great improvements throughout the season. I cannot make enough positive comments about the coaches. There were 112 (!!!) boys and girls on the team. All qualified to participate in both home and away meets by running 2 miles without stopping, a first in years according to the coaches. Despite the huge number of participants, the coaches still knew each kid by name and the sense of being a team was very strong. Cross country meets, which consisted of a 2-mile run, were so fun to watch.

Caden's first meet was on a Monday afternoon in Normal at Parkside Junior High. Caden was excited to be dismissed from school early and ride the bus to the meet. I picked up Cole a little early from school, and we made the trip over with Kieran. Since I had never been to a cross country meet, I did not know what to expect. We did some running around the course to try to catch Caden at different spots. The weather was perfect! Caden finished with a time of 15:17 minutes, which was better than any of his practice times. He was thrilled! I was so proud of him!  

The start line...That bunch of red is our boys' team.

Caden almost at the finish

Caden's first Saturday meet was in East Peoria over Labor Day weekend. Saturday meets were invitationals. They ran differently than the other meets. At invitationals, varsity girls/boys (top seven runners) ran together, and then there was an open run for the rest of the runners. Also, invitationals involved many, many more schools. This was the Saturday when Cole broke his arm right before Caden's race, so I did not get to see him run. Nana, Papa, and Kieran cheered for Caden, while Cole and I were in route to the hospital. Caden finished in 14:57.5 minutes.     

Re-fueling after the race

Andrew and Caden

Caden's first home meet was on a Tuesday at South Park in Chatham. Caden finished with a time of 14:35 minutes.   

Caden and his littlest fan

 At the Franklin Junior High Invite, Caden finished in 14:30 minutes.

At the Dunlap Invite at Detweiller Park in Peoria, Caden finished at 14:24.9 minutes. 

Caden's last cross country meet was back in Normal but at a different park for the Kingsley Invite. Caden finished in 14:08.2 minutes.  

So proud of how well Caden did during his first season of cross country! His best time of the season was 13:54.3 minutes at the Parkside Invite, but I didn't have any good photos from that meet. We were impressed with his improvement, attitude, and commitment to the sport. He really enjoyed the season. Although it is nice to have a little more free time, we were sad to see the season end. What a fantastic experience! We are already looking forward to next year.