Week 3: Betz Invitational

Joshua Truchon takes lead and breaks away from the field past the 2 mile at Lake Geneva Invite.

Badger Invitational Recap

​The boys competed in their first meet of the season at Lake Geneva Badger.  For many, this was a nice 'rust buster' after a long cycle of training.  We looked to establish our race day routine and focus on the middle mile of this isolated course where it can get tough mentally.  As a group, we weren't necessarily satisfied with the intensity and purpose we brought to the invitational.  But following the meet the guys look to improve their intensity in both training and meets and used the first meet as a launching point for the season.   It's August after all, we are just looking to build and learn right now.   The real season starts in October, so it's about doing what's right now and being where are feet are as we look to grow as a team. 

Our runner of the meet this year will be one guy each week.  We won't have a JV and Varsity runner of the week as we feel that a runner of the week should represent an impact on all guys.  It's not necessarily the fastest race each week, but the person that brings the focus, energy and selflessness that impacts the team in a positive way.  This week, newcomer Carson Shane was our runner of the week, scoring as our 4th guy in his first ever cross country meet.  Carson brought some awesome intensity to training in week 1, and with continued racing experience, could be a huge contributor as a scorer for the team as the season enters championship season in October.

Another tradition at Hale is the Blood and Guts award.  This award has been around for many years and represents someone who overcomes and represents no limitations in racing or training.  The meet champion, Joshua Truchon, garnered the award for week 1.  His plan was to go out relaxed through 1.5 to 2 miles and then throw down the last mile.  To our surprise, he was a bit further back than we thought he would be when we saw him at the beginning of the race.  As it turns out, the back of his shoe was stepped on and he was running with the entire heel riding under his foot!  He did this for over a mile before finally deciding to stop and fix the issue.  After literally stopping for 5-10 seconds to fix the shoe, he got right back into the race, didn't panic and by the 2 mile had the lead over the field.  The 3rd mile he pulled away to win convincingly by 35 seconds over a very good runner from Janesville Craig.  

As team captain, Joshua exhibits selflessness and runs for his team.  The team is lucky to have him as a leader as he exhibits an healthy counter culture habits that contribute to performances like week 1 and the ones we will see as the season goes on.  The whole bus ride home, Joshua sat with me and we talked about other guys the entire time.  His focus was on how to make others better and continue to grow as a leader himself.  His performances and development into one of the best high school runners are not due to luck or circumstance.  It has been months and now years of purposeful and consistent training.  We have a lot of amazing runners on this year's team and after week 1 we have a renewed focus and purpose in our training.  Expect to see a lot of guys step up and take Joshua's model to heart, making themselves and the team much stronger.  It begins and builds with selflessness and making it about others!

With two possible scorers not racing, Collin Raschka also stepped in to score for the first time in his career.  Collin is really growing as a person and will continue to develop as a runner with a selfless focus.  Along with Collin, Joseph Hertel scored for the first time in his career as well.  Joseph was tired of being an average runner, and has really brought great purpose and consistency after his first cross country season last fall.  He's a guy that showed up every Sunday in the winter for sub 0 snowy long runs, while being on the swim team.  He put in consistent work this summer while also stepping up his intensity to run with the top group.  He and Collin will both look to put their fitness toward a successful season of racing while continuing to contribute as scorers for the team!

A big shout out to all the freshmen and sophomores who completed their first every 5k's or cross country races.  The first one is all about getting the experience.  It's uncharted territory at first, but after a few races in your first year, you'll really see some drastic improvements as you get more comfortable being able to push earlier and longer in each race.  See the prior paragraphs above of guys who all started in your shoes and now months later are contributing in a huge way to scoring for the team.  Ethan Tilson and Tony Rodriguez got out aggressive and put themselves in a position to compete!  We look for that with all new guys, take a risk and give yourself a chance in the race.  All of our freshmen are capable of being amazing runners.  Keep having fun with the training and living the counter culture life of doing things right and having no limits!  (And amazing people, the counter culture life applies to the classroom and elsewhere as well!!)

We had a very amazing opportunity last Wednesday as professional runner and 3x NCAA Champion Matthew Baxter spoke to our team and answered guy's questions!  He brought great lessons of being great teammates and a great perspective.  One day, many of our guys will realize how cool this actually was!!!  He tweeted out to us and we will be sending him some Hale CC gear as a thank you to him.  

​This Week

We quickly moved on from our first invite, putting together two nice runs as a team following the meet and responding to bringing more intensity and purpose to training.  Now, we prepare for the Betz Invitational this week as we continue our journey as a team.

1.  Our home meet is this week!  I will need 2-3 parents to help with concessions.  Mrs. Petrovick has already volunteered for the first shift!  Shift 1 -3:45-5:00 (Varsity runner parents), 5:00-6:00 (frosh/JV parents).  Please let me know if you can help!!

Hale Lineup and Meet info
Meet Info

*All guys are expected to stay.  I have talked with Mrs. W. for the band guys that you'll be at the meet until 7:15ish or until completion of awards/team talk/clean up.  Just head over in your Hale CC gear and have instrument ready if you can to get to game right after.  Bring a snack/food for after your race!!
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2.  Picture day is Wednesday, September 4th right after school!  Please bring uniform (Jersey and shorts) to school this day.  Order forms were handed out to guys.

3.  The pasta party will be Thursday at the West Allis Cheese and Sausage Shoppe!  Guys can head over after practice and arrive around 5:00 p.m.  We will have board games and cards and will eat at the store.  This is a free meal provided to us and we will be sure to act with class and represent Hale Cross Country well.  Guys are recommended to bring board games or activities, there will be no sitting on phones!

4.  Here's our week 3 training plan for most guys!  Tuesday workout may differ a bit and some guys will do a tempo.
Week 3 Training

Our team focus this week will be on 'Embracing Discomfort' which will go nicely with our mission of bringing better purpose to our consistency.  

Make it a great day!  #NoLimits  #Build #Love