Lia's League XC Meet

Lia's post-season races began today with the big, South Puget Sound League meet at Ft. Steilacoom.  Lia has been working hard all season long, running five or six times a week.  Luckily, her hips have not bothered her this season, but her right calf and her left knee have.  I learned last year that there is always pain and injuries that come with cross country as our bodies were just not built for long-distance running.  After fighting through the pain for a few weeks, we ended up in the doctor's office two weeks ago to see her sports medicine doctor who we found last year.  He diagnosed her right calf as actually a shin splint and the pain in her left knee as the side effect of overcompensating on her left leg.  Since she is so close to the end of the season, he gave her permission to keep on running with her shin splint as long as the pain did not increase.  Luckily, the pain is less or the same, depending on the day, so Lia has continued to train with her team.  Although she has not PR'd since the 5K she ran on September 20th, Lia has continued to give each race her best effort and has qualified to stay on the Varsity team the entire season by always being one of the Top 7 runners.  

Since it was a half day today, I was able to bring all three younger children with me to cheer on Lia and Riley (who was also at the meet with his team).  After a few sunny days, the rain held off today for the meet which everyone was grateful for.  Lia did a great job and ran her 5K in 23:05 and her team qualified for districts next Saturday at Chambers Bay.  I am proud of all of the hours and miles that Lia has run over the summer and this fall.  She is such a hard worker and I can't wait to cheer her on for one or more two meets this season.  Way to go, Lia! 

Lia and the rest of her Varsity team posing before their race began.

From left to right:

Erika, Lia, Hope, Julie, Esley, Peyton, Emma

Silly pose!

And, they're off!

Lia running right by me as she began her race.

Lia ran this entire race with Emma (on the left) and Peyton (on the right).  Here are all three girls passing me during the first half of the race.

The backside of their Rogers uniforms.

Lia, Emma, and Peyton running past me at another point in the race.

Lia leading the three girls.

Lia and Peyton giving it their all on the final stretch.

The two girls passing me perfectly in synch with each other.

Lia about to cross the finish line.

Lia posing with her siblings after her race was over.

One more shot of the Varsity girls minus Hope and Emma.