More Than a 5k

As coach told us before and after the race on Saturday, it’s not just about the State Meet but about the whole process—the journey that was 2010 DeSmet XC. The final part of the journey was the State Meet in Jefferson City. But, this was more than a 5k. It was an experience.

Our trip started Friday morning after homeroom. We meet in the Emerson Lobby for a team picture and a blessing from Fr. Sydney. Next on the itinerary was the State tradition of breakfast at First Watch. It was a great, hearty breakfast. First Watch is a big point of the season for us as we are given our hard earned salary. There was a lot of variety in our meals: pancakes, French toast, and eggs. We had multiple orders of the famous Traditional Plus 1 and even a Plus 2.

Then we piled in the van for the couple hour drive to Jeff City. Like we have been doing all year on the day before the meet, we played Super Smash Bros. But this time it was on the computer. Jacob won the 6 man tournament. Just hanging out and chatting made the ride a lot of fun like always. When we arrived at the hotel, we got paired up with our roommates before going to Subway for lunch. After lunch, the Variety guys got together to read a letter from Liz. It was really awesome. Thanks Liz!!

Everyone put on their Milk Table shirts and we headed to Oak Hills for our course preview practice. It was the first time the shirts were out in force and they looked good. Not only were we the best dressed team there but people were asking what the shirts meant. The preview went really well. We ran the first 400 on pace to get a feel for what it would be like tomorrow and then jogged the rest of the course. We checked out the changes in the course and learned where the coaches would be for the race. Like always, we finished up with chocolate milk.After some down time, we headed to Madison’s for dinner. There we saw some other teams such as Marquette and Nerix. It was once again a great team dinner of bread, salad, and spaghetti or mostaccioli. A relaxing evening of just hanging out in the hotel followed.

Saturday
We ate a good breakfast at the hotel before going to the course for the State Meet. A special thank you to everyone who came to support us at the meet and the whole season: parents, friends, teammates, alums. And for all the snacks afterwards.

We waited for kabes to get his medal and then were on our way back to DeSmet. Even without Madey, it was still a fun ride back. We reminisced about the season and talked about track. We even rocked out to Coach Russo’s iPod.

This post doesn’t fully express whole awesome the trip was, but take my world it was. A totally great experience. There really aren’t many things better than hanging out with your best friends for almost two days and getting to race on the biggest stage at the same time. This trip was final part of the 2010 Cross Country journey. It was journey that I’m super thankful for and will never forget.

Quote of the Trip: “From a distance I thought you all were a bunch of tan guys without shirts on.”- Coach Russo when he walked over to us stretching on the course on Friday because we all had on our burnt orange Milk Table shirts.

Joke of the Trip: “Who wants a fishy??”- Scherping as he was making Sweedish fish “swim” in the air on the bus ride back.