The track season is winding down and it has been one of the coldest springs on record in Illinois. Rewind to last year when it was one of the warmest on record. That said, it is no surprise that our conference meet in Evanston last Thursday was gusty with temps in the 50’s that created some challenging running conditions. This Thursday is showing rain for sectionals at Loyola as New Trier tries to qualify to get downstate in multiple events. Not ideal, but we’ll enjoy every second knowing this fast senior season is almost over. My girls, being constant hydrators, biggest concern this week is that they can’t drink water for four hours as they take their AP (advanced placement) tests at New Trier.
I’m struggling with the fact that Courtney and Jessica’s high school career is almost over. I want the ride to continue. Next year will present some very challenging situations to try to see my girls run while attending two different schools located 800 miles apart from each other.
The past four years has been an amazing experience and the list of people we have gotten to know along the way due to running has produced some life-long friends. There are many New Trier families that we have been able to develop a deep bond with. Members of the NT coaching staff have also become friends over the last four years.
In addition to the NT coaching staff, some great relationship has been developed among other coaches as well. Chuck Smith asked why I’m on a first name basis with some of the best coaches in the state. Well, it makes for an interesting story. Back in the fall of my girl’s freshman year, I ran into one of my best friends at the airport in Minneapolis. We both happen to be Minnesota Viking fans and we didn’t realize we were attending the same game together. (It just happened to be game of Favre to Greg Lewis bomb to win the game against the 49’ers on Sept 27, 2009; but I regress)
I was chatting with Dave while we waited for our planes and he asked how freshman year was starting for Courtney and Jessica. The subject of cross country running came up and Dave mentioned that he got his Viking tickets from his neighbor who couldn’t make it up for the game because he coaches cross country through November. Dave’s neighbor is Naperville North head coach, Dan Iverson. What are the odds?! It was later that week when I reached out to Dan via email to introduce myself and tell him about our small world connection. Even thought my girls had only run a handful of races, Dan was already aware of the freshman twins from New Trier. I have gotten to know Dan pretty well the past few years and the schedule worked out this past NFL season to where Dan, my friend Dave, and I were able to attend the Vikings at Indy game last September. Plus, thanks to my friend, Steve LaCroix, who is Detweiller course architect Bob LaCroix’s son, and an executive for the Vikings, our on-field experience was quite memorable.
(Rob Harvey cheering in the competition since no WWS girls are near.)
Through Dan I’ve gotten to know his close friend, Rob Harvey the head coach of WWS, also a huge Vikings fan. Rob has also been incredibly supportive the past few years. Jessica was touched by Rob when he approached her at a Subway on the way home from a September invite in Peoria. Jessica had been fighting low iron levels and did not have a great race, but Rob made a point to come over, offer support and compliment her on her outstanding career.
Mark McCabe, the head coach at Hinsdale Central, is also a coach that has been incredibly gracious. Courtney received an email that Mark sent her (thru me) after Foot Locker in San Diego congratulating her on an outstanding season and complimenting her on her race strategy. Jeff Downing from Maine South and Mark Medland of Niles West, both very complimentary. My girls remember multiple encounters where Jeff has offered nothing but support and praise to them after many head to head competitions with his stars, Emily Leonard and Megan Lemersal. Their dads, Bill Leonard and Joe Lemersal have become friends as well. Who would have thought that so many competitions would get parents from opposing teams to become friends? We actually found a blog post that Bill Leonard wrote on Track Talk stating the reasons that New Trier should receive the at-large bid to represent the Midwest at Nike Nationals in Portland. The running community is one big family.
Other small-world memories include when we met Janet Leet (owner of Sub5 Running) through my sister after the state cross country meet in 2010. Janet also trains runners; she had an amazing high school and college career. When Courtney was struggling with injuries during sophomore track season, we took her to see Janet as a last resort. Janet spent a lot of time analyzing Courtney, and after about 90 minutes suggested we go outside so she could watch Courtney run. Courtney started about 50 yards away and Janet told her to run at her. I was standing next to Janet. After about 40 yards of running, Janet turned to me and said, “I think Courtney has a fracture in her femur.” That’s crazy; she has seen multiple doctors that can’t find the problem. Sure enough, she unfortunately nailed it. She even said an x-ray would not uncover it and to demand an MRI. Janet knows her stuff and our family has been blessed to have met her a few years ago. Plus, her summer running camp for girls rocks…according to my ladies.
Janet introduced us to her massage specialist, Oleg, who happens to live close to us. I have almost had to tap the equity line for all the business we have given him between Court, Jess, Debbie and me. I have also enjoyed the dealings with Bob Geiger, Tony Jones, Mike Newman and Todd Grasley as they have covered our sport on a weekly basis.
In addition to parents, coaches, and other school’s runners, there have been some other memorable encounters worth mentioning. I met Pat through my weekly yoga class at my health club. Pat overheard me talking one day about running and approached to ask if I was the twins dad from New Trier. Pat’s daughter, Chelsea, ran at New Trier 10 years ago and Pat and her husband, Jeff, have been following my daughters thru the local papers. They came to a few races to watch and became regular fans. As the State meet approached in 2011, New Trier’s chances for a state title were looking good. I encouraged Pat and Jeff to make the trip down to Peoria to watch the team run. They told me they couldn’t swing it because they were leaving early the next morning for Australia and they had lots to do before they left town for 3 weeks. Well, we all know what happens to rabid running fans. That Saturday in Peoria I hear my name called. Sure enough, there’s Pat and Jeff who made the 3 hour drive each way to cheer on NT’s first girls state running championship. The same thing happened at the state meet in Charleston. They told me they couldn’t swing the 4 hour drive. As I got myself into position to take pictures before the 3,200 in Charleston, I get a tap on my shoulder. There they were again right near the finish line in row 3 to cheer on the local talent.
These are just some of the experiences I can put names to that have taken place over the past foyr years. There is one incident that we may never know who did it. About 1 ½ years ago we had a letter taped to our door in Wilmette. The letter was written by runners from another school (I’m guessing Loyola Academy since we live one block from the school) saying how inspired they were by my daughters. It was a lengthy letter that touched us all. The letter was taped to our kitchen window for months. Thanks to everyone that has made these past four years the most unbelievable ride that parents and runners could ask for.