The Tale of the District Race of Aught '17

Well it is almost District race time, so it seems like a good time to recap the race from just last year.  You see it was Sampson's first district race last year and it is really good for a freshman to run as a scorer for a high school team, but it may not be the best thing.  You see (man used that two in row to start a sentence, no worries, I'll fix it next sentence) he ran really well for most of the season.  He was hurt in the first race (which I didn't get to see because I had to go to New York for business, and I actually moved the trip back so I could see him run, but it was too muddy so they moved the race back a day and I ended up missing it.  And then we ended up not doing the project at work anyway so it was a complete loss.  Going off topic a little here) and he set out the next 2 races then scored in the 4/5 spot for the team basically the rest of the season.  So the make-up of the team was 2 seniors, 1 junior and the rest of the scorers were freshman.  Yikes, right?  Well they were pretty good last year even with the inexperience, but the inexperience came out at districts, at least for Sampson.  You see (hey it been a couple sentences so it's cool to go back to the old stand-by) he ran his best race of the year the race right before districts a PR of 17:34 (which stood until this last race, now it is at 17:12) so he was feeling really good.  His prep for races wasn't the best though.  We never got overly involved in the prep side of the races, we just kind of let him do his thing and just tried to make sure he didn't over do it the night before.  Well for the district race we did the same thing and he looked fine when he got there.  He started out well, in about 4th for his team probably somewhere around the top 30 or so (top 24 qualify for regional)  and I'm watching him go up the hill and around the school, so I hustle to the side to see him come around.  I get up there and I see the kids he was with and no Sampson.  So I'm like did I miss him.  Then the other freshman on the team comes through and still no Sampson.  So he would be like 5th for his team.  I keep waiting and waiting and now I start getting a little worried.  I can't remember if the other kid came through or not (also a freshman), but when I finally see Sampson he is like gassed...bad.  He grabs his chest and says his chest is hurting like he is really cramping badly.  So I go around to the front of the school and he is really slowing, Sophie is closer to the finish and she is waiting there and getting worried and she sees a kid collapse.  Well he finally finishes, but he does get passed and finishes 6th for the team a little of 20 minutes and ends up at like 103rd in the race.  Well the team finishes 11th or so and he tells us his prep for the race.  He drank a cup of milk.  For like 18 hours.  That is all he had.  No water, just one cup of milk.  That is not efficient to be at top race form.  So this year he is hydrated regularly, and he is taking his race prep a step further.  He is doing ice baths the night before.  The team is similar to last year, but the seniors are gone, the junior has stepped up to the lead spot, Sampson is probably the number 2 guy (he has finished as low as 4 for the team, but not lately), there is another sophomore that is 3 (and has finished no lower than 3rd for the team), 2 freshman and another sophomore for the next 3 spots.  I don't think the team is as top heavy as last year, but I think as a whole they are much better.  Our 7 and 8 are also a freshman and sophomore.  So the future is bright, but they did win the OVAC and have won about 4 meets this year, so there is a chance they can make it to the regional.  I hope they do, but last year there was only one team from our area that made it, and they have their whole team back this year.  Sampson's team has beaten them this year, but last race they actually tied and it came down to the 6th man.  Which our guy was better.  But one thing I am sure of.  Sampson will be hydrated before this race.  Well I'll try and check-in after the race and let you know if the season continued or not.  Hopefully they do.  Also I'll give you a update on the girls team.  #TheFive.  Totally made for a movie.  Hey maybe I could get a bit part in the movie.  I could be the guy at the race that brings the staff.  You know "Race Staff Guy".  I have the staff already, could be pretty sweet.