Season Recap – XC 2014

With December comes a close to the Bellingham Distance Project’s first cross-country season. For some it was their first ever, for others, one in a long line.  I sat down with the women of BDP over a pint of kitten mittens to see how they felt about the season’s end.

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SCOTT – Ladiez, now that the season is over, what were the highlights?

ALY – “When Courtney detailed Lower Woodlands for me & how she waits at the finish line for every teammate to cross. Also, Amber’s breakthrough race at CA Nats and watching Brownwyn push Lauren Fleshman.”

NIKKI – “Cooling down around Greenlake and the waterfront, enjoying the scenery and camaraderie.”

IMG_7296AMBER– “XC races 3 weeks post marathon hurt…they hurt really bad! Regional’s was my 5th XC race of all time and I finally understood how running in a pack makes it easier. I was so happy Lydia and I could work together, we took turns leading, pulled each other when needed. It was truly a team effort for us.  Patience pays off. Last year I started each race way too fast. This year I made a point to always stay behind Maria especially in the first mile. She races so smart and is great about being patient and picking people off as she moves up. My Goal = follow baby nugget.”

MARIA – “…out-kicking someone at the finish line of Regionals!”

ALYSON – “Toeing the line with my amazing friends and teammates. Feeling completely supported and encouraged by everyone on my team, regardless of current strength and abilities. Time doesn’t matter, distance doesn’t matter. Being tuned into your own body, pace and position is key. One of my favorite moments was coming into the finish strong at “Crosscadian” nationals, to see Courtney and Aly waiting for me and cheering.”IMG_7242

COURTNEY – “I really loved getting muddy and watching Ber take initiative at Nats, developing as a team and getting to know each other better.”

SCOTT – “Lot of passion; though the season was short, it seems like you were committed to making it as full as possible. Any takeaways?”

NIKKI – “I learned that lactic acid build up during fast hilly running feels a lot different than marathon fatigue and that spikes really help when trying to navigate a mud pit.”

MARIA – “My biggest lesson learned: wear more clothes when it’s 20 degrees out.”

SCOTT – “What are you  most proud of?”

COURTNEY – “Enduring lack of hill training, and running through pubic pain, sickness and marathon training.”

IMG_7310ALY – “I think that as a part of BDP we represent ourselves with class and I’m proud we put together a full team for every race.”

NIKKI – “I was so excited to be on a team again and to dust off my spikes!”

AMBER – “My performance at CA Nats – I was very relaxed and went into the race with the mentality, ‘just for fun.’  I ended up having a great race and felt so strong. There was a strength in my hips and legs that hasn’t been in there in the past. Despite a tough/slow course and frigid temps I am most proud of my performance that day.”

ALYSON – “BDP. I am proud that we took a risk and started this incredible team with a big vision. This was our first year and I am SO excited for the future of this team. We have big dreams, big goals and 8 determined women. Our future is bright.”

SCOTT – “Many things to be proud of! Which wouldn’t exist without the lessons – care to share?”

IMG_7135ALY – “XC is in a league of it’s own. The field is small, extremely competitive and the unpredictable terrain requires extra grit and mental preparation.”

ALYSON – “XC is new to me, so I feel like I’m learning so much with each race I run. Each XC race highlighted and identified areas of weakness for me – the learning experience is invaluable. I learned that I need to train in the mud – I realized I ran timid and unsure in that terrain in both races. I also learned that it’s okay to finish 2nd to last. I am stronger because of the experiences. Fear of failing should never be a reason to not try.”

MARIA – “I was most proud of wearing my BDP jersey. BDP has come so far in 6 months.”

IMG_7475COURTNEY – “I learned that it’s ok to have a multi-tiered competitiveness. Every race does not have to be the better representation of your ability. You can consciously move from A to B goals (fluidly) and you don’t have to lay out all the details of why you did it to make yourself feel better or to let others know you weren’t at full capacity. Stay humble. Talk about what you want to learn about without giving excuses.”

SCOTT – “Invaluable. It seems like all of you were all ears this season – students of the sport, hungry to learn and proud to represent. Now, as we wrap things up, would you share your most memorable “team” moment with us?”

ALY – “All eight lined up head to toe in mud.”

IMG_7170AMBER – “The cool down run post Regionals – a beautiful sunny day along the shores of Puget Sound, with mountains in the background. I was running with people I know put it all out there, for each other, not just themselves. There is a connection that happens in XC that I don’t think happens anywhere else in running. But, more specifically – Court showing us her butt tattoo while running.”

COURTNEY – “Each moment feels full – like I’m lucky to get to be with them. From lunches, coffee, beers. Most memorably, however, was running in calf-thick mud with beautiful women on a frigid day with sushi post race to fill.”

MARIA – “Agreed – my most memorable team moment in addition to the post-Region cool down was post-race sushi at Tokyo Joes. The only thing better than good sushi is good people to share it with.”

photo[1]SCOTT – “What a season! Now I want tuna. I like where you’re headed, and I feel like you can only move up. Bellingham Distance Project, thank you for sitting down with me. It’s been a pleasure. Looking forward to hearing on cross country 2015.”

For PNTF Individual & Team results go HERE.
For Regionals Individual & Team results go HERE.
For Lauren Fleshman’s Race Report on Regionals go HERE.
Photo Credit: Tad Davis

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