Are you ready for a long dissertation?

There is a commercial that talks about "Life coming at you fast." It sure does. Forget the fact that I actually have a job. My hobbies are killing me! All I need is a 14-day week to catch up!

Over the last two weeks my own team has been outstanding. They rank up there with the best I've ever had the pleasure to coach. Their third place showing at the Hock Invitational was tied for our second-best finish ever! Plus, 6 of 7 moved up higher on the all-time Borderland list.

A good thing about having a web-site is that you are constantly hearing from people.

Among the recent e-mails, I've heard from Rich Curran (NA05) who is a frosh at UMass/Lowell and was hitting the track for an 800M time trial today, Caitlin Hurley (NA03) who is running for URI and just wanted to let me know she was impressed with our XC season, and Lindsey Calderone (NA02) who says ditto.


Then of course there are the unexpected e-mails. Joe Navas checked in to tell me he's gunning for 2:38 to 2:45 in the New York Marathon. He is bib # 161. I might talk to Joe once a year at a Cape Cod road race. But he saw that I had included his picture after the Wellfleet Oysterfest race and decided to bring me up-to-date. Joe has spent the season meeting most of the goals he mentioned in his northrunning interview last year.

Speaking of marathons, Feehan grad Shannon Doran (who played 8th grade BBall for me - actually for NAMS) is a sophomore at Georgetown. She ran the Marine Corp Marathon (her first) and clocked a 3:18. OUTSTANDING.

Last Friday I went to Van Cortlandt Park for an incredible day of XC. I was taking pictures for chasingtradition.com and relaying up-to-the-minute info to SIL Matt Taylor who was providing real-time results to his subscibers.The Ivies (Heps), Big East and Metro Conference were having their league championships. I met a lot of coaches and athletes, plus got to watch some awesome performances. How about three athletes breaking the meet record in the Ivy League women's race? How about watching the Big East men's champion Martin Fagan breaking the all-time collegiate VCP record, dismantling the competition on a tough course in an unbelievable 23:48. Some people doubt he's for real but after what I saw I'm a believer! The proof will come in the NCAA's.

It was also fun covering the meet because daughter Emily was doing the same. We'd hear each other over the walkie-talkies and sometimes meet, usually at the bridge. We both covered some serious miles during the day. Not only did she manage Cemetary Hill a little better than I did, she got the best picture of the day from there.

I recently mentioned some articles I had written for chasingtradition. Time to pass them on. Here is Deep and Comfort and Competition. I hope you like them!

I also have a bunch of chasingtradition t-shirts for anyone hoping to save shipping cost. For a mere $10 you can get a piece of history. Some of the coverage is groundbreaking. Matt is setting new standards in collegiate XC coverage. Even the major shoe companies are taking notice. Puma sponsored last week and Adidas will sponsor the last two weeks of this epic "trail to the NCAAs." The shirts actually look pretty sharp and we even have XL's for you portly fellows. Stop by the NAHS tent if you want one.

Of course, by now you've noticed the ST Award categories. The nominations are starting to come in. If you don't get involved, don't be upset if your favorite Hockomock athlete gets ignored. All nominees will be recognized on the site.

I got some good response to the pictures of the State Coaches' course that I put on-line.A few wrote to tell me it helped them figure out the course. The day we ran I also saw Sharon and Franklin. After doing the whole 5K with my own team Coach Sweeney cajoled me into doing the back section with them. I enjoyed it immensely. It was a little hard to adjust to how quiet his team was because I'm used to "never a dull moment" Kras. Franklin was kind enough to run slowly for me. I must have looked tired.

I admit that the course isn't perfect yet. But it has some serious potential. There are some neat aspects. I'll be watching closely on Saturday to see if the course is "state meet worthy". There is a chance that this is the last year of HS state meets at Franklin Park. So give me your feedback after the meet. All comments will be passed on to both the MIAA and MSTCA.

Don't forget that the MSTCA is holding a food drive this weekend at the meet. Canned goods will be greatly appreciated.

Hope to see you at the meet.