Memory Lane Monday; Beattie Likes The Heat Doug Ackerman Dec 09, 2013

I was reminded what a phenomenal runner Kayla Beattie is when I was travelling through Woodstock to get to a travel soccer game for my son. The sign heading into town welcomed me to Woodstock, Home of Kayla Beattie, multiple Illinois state champion in cross country and track. This was the fall of 2011 when she was a freshman at the University of Iowa.

Fighting Illini Land A Thoroughbred Doug Ackerman Nov 21, 2013

Zack Smith is a senior at Downers Grove North High School. He recently took 3rd place at the Illinois 3A State cross country championship in Peoria on November 9th and led his team to a 2nd Place finish. This past weekend he finished 5th at Nike Midwest in Terre Haute, IN to earn a trip to Portland in early December for a chance to run against some of the best in the country. He also made a verbal commitment to run next year for Jake Stewart at the University of Illinois.

Smith: Common Name; Extraordinary Runner Doug Ackerman Nov 12, 2013

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Mimi Smith for a few years and have seen her compete many times. Saturday, I watched her run the perfect race (in my opinion) to take the 3A state championship. Smith, a junior at New Trier in Winnetka, now has an individual cross country championship to go along with her team cross country championship (2011) and a 4 x 800 relay championship from track (2013).

Peoria Visitors Guide to State XC- Virgins to Carp Doug Ackerman Nov 06, 2013

Having spent my first 18 years as a Peoria resident and having parents that still call Peoria home, I feel I can offer a few helpful hints to help you plan your cross country state weekend. I’m not much of a Twitter-head (@ackshun35), and I have not grasped the hash tag craze, but I’ll do my best to stay cutting-edge in this newest blog.

Later Dudes Doug Ackerman Oct 31, 2013

Flashback to the fall of 2011; it had the potential to be a memorable year for New Trier cross country. The girls were running incredibly well (went on to win 3A state and tie for 3rd at Nike National) but the boys were creating memories for themselves as well. Starting early in the season, a long and lanky blond haired kid was starting to show that he had logged a lot of miles over the summer. Leland Later emerged for his senior season as an absolute powerhouse. He went on to win the 3A state championship in a time of 14:17 and then claim victory in the 1,600 that spring at Charleston at the state track meet.

Just What Does The Fox Say? Doug Ackerman Oct 24, 2013

Since this is a running website, why not turn to the most decorated runner with the last name Fox to really find out What Does the Fox Say? Amanda Fox is a sophomore runner at the University of Illinois and she is also the 2011 Illinois 3A cross country state champion from Naperville Central, 2011 Nike Midwest champion; Nike National 9th place finisher and Gatorade Illinois cross country Athlete of the Year.

The College Years: The Junkie Got His Fix Doug Ackerman Oct 10, 2013

It is early October and this cross country addict had not attended a meet this season until last week. I found myself getting cold sweats, dry mouth, and uncontrollable shakes for no good reason. Something was missing in my life. I missed cross country.

Musing of a High School Father: This Is The End Doug Ackerman May 29, 2013

This is the end, my only friend, the end. The words and title are my tribute to recently deceased member of The Doors, keyboardist Ray Manzarek. We have also come to The End of senior year and the end of high school running for the females in this family. This end is not my friend; in fact, I’d prefer it never ended.

Musing of a High School Father: Risky Business Doug Ackerman May 21, 2013

On Thursday before leaving for Charleston I put a few thoughts on paper with the title, The Final Musing, as I decided this would be my farewell blog. But, a brief encounter after the 3,200 with talented Glenbard East freshman, Lindsay Graham, has giving me the motivation to extend this blubbering one more week.

Musing of a High School Father: It's One Big Running Family Doug Ackerman May 07, 2013

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.

Musing of a High School Father: Happy Anniversary Doug Ackerman May 01, 2013

The 12 team Trevian Invite took place this past Saturday. Jessica, running the 3,200 for the first time this abbreviated outdoor season is still fighting shin pain but was able to squeak out the win. Courtney experienced a minor muscle strain earlier in the week and sat the meet out. This ideal senior season is not on the projected path we would have hoped for in January. With three weeks left in the season we are all hoping to get back on track very quickly. On the other hand, Mimi Smith set a PR of 5:02 in the 1,600 to take the win.

Musing of a High School Father: Birthday Edition Doug Ackerman Apr 24, 2013

The past week was one of the oddest weeks I have ever experienced in Chicago. Monday had the Boston Marathon tragedy; Thursday had six inches of rain which produced a “rain day” for our local schools and major flooding in the area. Friday had the Boston bombing capture which had people glued to their TV’s, Saturday had our meet at Lake Park get delayed so the snow could melt off the track and Sunday we celebrated the 18th birthday of our daughters.

Musing of a High School Father: Ahhhh, the Warmth of Spring... Doug Ackerman Apr 17, 2013

The countdown to State in Charleston stands at one month. Where has the time gone? This is the time of year that the times start dropping due to the warmer weather. The problem is that winter still has us in its cold, breezy grasp. New Trier girls ran in Barrington on Friday night and there were multiple trips to the car so the wimpy parents could sit with the heater on full-blast.

Musing of a High School Father: Every Team Needs A Karl Doug Ackerman Apr 08, 2013

No, I’m not talking about Carl Spackler, the groundskeeper from Caddyshack, but that would make for an interesting caretaker of our home course. We met our Karl through our church when my daughters were in 6th grade. Karl caught wind that they would run an occasional 5K in about 24 minutes and was excited about the prospect of Courtney and Jessica running for John Burnside someday soon at New Trier.

Musing of a High School Father: Training Buddies Doug Ackerman Apr 03, 2013

If you have been a regular reader of my weekly blog (MileSplit tells me there are six of you out there based on # of web hits), you have hopefully realized I have a unique (somewhat immature) writing style. My neighbor, Maureen, likes to tell me that I stopped maturing at age 19. Picture John Belushi; Toga! Toga! Toga!

Musing of a High School Father: Spring Break Edition Doug Ackerman Mar 26, 2013

Why is track the greatest spring high school sport? Because we can get away for Spring Break! Does your high school child play baseball or woman’s soccer? Have fun sitting on those cold bleachers this week. The New Trier coaches will offer up the training schedule and turn everybody loose to train on their own until April 1st. So as a track family, we’ll pack the running shoes, load up the SUV that just hit 100,000 miles and drive 15 hours to Panama City Beach, the Redneck Riviera, to a cozy condo.

It's Time To Run Doug Ackerman Mar 19, 2013

I actually have some running to report. The indoor conference championship meet was last Thursday night at Glenbrook South High Schooland I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from my girls. I know Courtney and Jessica set goals for each race, but I didn’t ask what they were. Five minutes before the start of her race I decided to tell Jess that the indoor conference record for the 800 was 2:19 set in 2000. Her eyes immediately went to the record board and I saw the look on her face that told me one thing; she’s going for it. 2:17 later and she holds the new indoor conference record. She also ran the fourth leg of the 4 x 400 relay in 61 seconds to give New Trier the win.

No I Didn't Run Doug Ackerman Mar 13, 2013

There were no meets this week for Court and Jess and when I ask what happened at practice this week, I get the extremely enlightening answer, “We ran.” Instead of ending my weekly blog here, I’d like to take you back a bit.

The 8th Season: Musings From A Father Of Senior Runners Doug Ackerman Mar 04, 2013

I received an email from Todd (editor of MileSplit IL) asking if my daughters would be interested in writing a blog through the end of the track season. Todd was the second person to ask this question. Before I asked them, I knew they would have no interest in this. They like zero attention on them. They get this from their mother; the same place they get their determination, drive, desire, competitiveness, humbleness, brains, and looks. I replied to Todd with this answer, jokingly adding that I would have jumped on this if I were in their shoes. Todd jokingly replied that a blog from the parent’s perspective might be interesting. I’m game.