Today was the Vermont State Championship in Middle-School Cross Country. It was held up in the mountains of Stowe at the Trapp Family Lodge and it was as rainy and cold and miserable as a Vermont November day can be. Neither the weather nor the tons of Halloween candy Lucy ate last night slowed her down at all -- she had one of her best races ever and I am so proud of her. (Though I have to ask, why couldn't she have her best race after having a healthy smoothie or something?)
One of my favorite things about this cross-country team is the coach. Liz is a colleague of mine at Norwich and a professor of exercise science. She teaches the girls about overall health and nutrition as well as coaching their running techniques. And she's always incredibly positive and happy to be with the girls. Lucy is lucky to come under her influence.
Another of my favorite things is this lovely cohort of girls. Here they are huddled together in the team tent after the race. They all did their hair in braids today, with team colors maroon and white ribbons. I love that they push each other academically as well as in their running. Even with two-hour daily practices (some at 6:00am!) and two races a week, they still get excellent grades.
Our tiny little school took third in the state for girls middle-school cross country, and last week took first overall in Northern Vermont. No wonder they're so happy!
