UPPER LAKE — Gearing up for the 2010 season, the Upper Lake High School cross country team set a new school record on its annual Relay to the Coast fundraiser run, which took place last week.
Led by veteran runners and supported by new ones, the 18-member strong squad completed the 48-mile stretch between Ukiah and the Mendocino Coast in 6 hours, 7 minutes, knocking 55 minutes off the previous school best.
“We ran shorter legs and had more people willing to run 1-, 2- or 3-mile legs,” Upper Lake coach John Woods sad. “There was no whining when the legs got sore, only more determination.”
Mike Dolan, Charlie Coburn and Sean Gay led the Upper Lake charge over the Coast Range and blasted out the first nine miles and almost 2,000 feet of climbing in just more than 70 minutes.
“The closer we got to the coast, the faster we ran,” Woods said. “The kids were fantastic.”
After reaching the coast, the team set up camp at Caspar, only 200 meters away from the beach. Runners were treated to guest speakers around the campfire. On day one they listened to Sharon Stewart, a local marathon runner and registered dietician who spoke on what to eat before and after competition and how to prevent cramps from lack of or too much fluid or food in your system.
After being led in warm-ups by new assistant coach Dan Bixler on day two, runners put in 8-plus miles in Russian Gulch State Park and several runners covered the distance in personal-best records. Two standouts among the new runners were freshmen Brittany DeHeer and Markie Stifter, according to Woods.
After being treated to a Mexican food dinner later that night by parents, the runners listened to All-American cross country and steeplechase runner Reed Elmore, who is the coach at College of The Redwoods. He told his story and spoke of making running a lifetime pursuit.
On day three, Elmore treated the runners to a college level warm-up. They then traveled up the highway and ran a 6-mile recovery workout to the Pygmy Forest, starting and finishing at Jug Handle State Reserve. In the afternoon the team went to Glass Beach for some rest and relaxation. That night”s guest speaker was former Ukiah High School standout Amber Trotter, a past national champion in cross country. Trotter talked to the runners about serious running and the fun you can have learning to run faster and faster.
On day four, the runners struck camp. Before heading for home they went to MacKerricker State Park and put in a 7-mile tempo run on the old 10-mile haul road.
“It was great to see the team really push themselves,” Woods said.
With summer almost over the team starts official practice for the 2010 season on Monday, with workouts scheduled for 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Any Upper Lake student interested in getting in shape, becoming a faster runner and competing in races needs to get a sports physical and have proof of medical insurance. Beginners are welcome and encouraged.
“If you supply the effort, we will turn you into a runner,” Woods said.
Call Woods at 972-2142 for more information.
