THE RUNNERS OF ADAMS

This Cross Country season at Adams State has been no different. Athletes from different backgrounds and personalities still meet twice a day for a morning and afternoon practice. All of them with same goal in mind, to make the team that will represent the long green line at the national meet (There are only 7 spots on each team). Here at Adams athletes are encouraged to run as a team and for their team. Tradition and legacy is what the Adams State XC program is all about. Here you train to represent the people that ran before you; you train to leave a mark. You run not for you, but for something bigger than yourself.
I was fortunate enough to be part of this program as an athlete in 2001 and 2002. Eight years later and once again, I get to volunteer some of my ITA comunnity hours helping Coach Martin with this years men and women's team. Some of my duties range from pacing, giving out water, lots of driving, timing, encouraging, screaming my heart out at competition and learning from Coach and the Athletes.

It has been extremely inspiring to be around each and every single athlete in the program. Both the men and women teams work very hard day in and day out to reach their ultimate goals. Last weeked, both men and women won their regional championships and will now head to the Dec 4th NCAA Division II Cross Country Championships in Louisville, Kentucky to defend their titles. Im excited I get to help out and be there for both teams on race day and beyond. Go Grizzlies!!!

On a different note, the ITA after school tutoring program has been going very well. The program made it into the local newspaper a couple of weeks ago. When I showed the newspaper to the kids they could hardly believe their picture was in there. I could tell they were just as proud as their ITA tutor.

I cant help it, but Im in LOVE and very THANKFUL with and for my ITA community work.

Happy Thanksgiving!

TUTORING PROGRAM TAKING ON A HIGH ALTITUDE CHALLENGE

Kids from after school tutoring program were very excited to participate in High Altitude Challenge 1 mile XC race recently in Alamosa, Colorado. This race was the last of a 3 race series sponsored by the Alamosa recreational center and the first race ever for many of the kids.
Alan and Brayan's parents offered to help me out by driving a few of the kids to the race and supervising. This was a great way to bond. Kids were eager and ready to leave by 4:00p.m. The highlight of the day was when I told them I had ITA t-shirts for all of them. I told them we were a team and that we were going to run, jog or walk for our Team (Team ITA). They loved the idea.

The majority of group came with me on my 1998 green wind star van. At the race, Brayan took the role of a captain by taking the group on a warm up. Jose and Laiza were scared to race, but at the end they did it. Aida and Diana stayed with Angel and paced him all the way. Oscar had a great race and said he really liked it. Alan and Jesus partnered up at half way and ran the rest of the race together. David and Miguel ran their own races and competed very well.

It was wonderful to see them compete, have fun, and learn at the same time. After the race, we gathered at the tutoring center for homework and some pizza.

More details (results) in the video, Enjoy!