Recent News and Updates - E-mail cquick@d211.org

February 14, 2006 - Picture and Mileage Updates

Great job tonight on another great workout.  I really saw each guy out there digging town and doing his best to support the entire team.  From the fastest guys to the slowest, I thought that everyone laid it on the line tonight.  Thank god for good weather!  Special kudos go out to Finley and Morris for an unbelievable run in those 1000s, Omar Herrera for starting to see his promise in those 400 repeats, Bollman and Bethke for leading their 800 repeat group, and Smoody, Ulises, and Dett for cranking out some solid 800s.  You guys are all in great shape, and we get to start seeing the fruits of our labor soon.  I'm proud of you!  Let's keep working hard.

Above: Check out what happens to normal, hard-working kids when their team isn't selected for NTN.  I'm not sure if Smoody looks tough, but I would not mess with Morris.

New Picture Gallery - I had some time tonight so I thought that I would update some odds and ends that have been laying around for awhile.  I collected pictures from the Chicago Marathon, the Schaumburg Freshmen Invite, and Foot Locker Midwest into one new photo gallery.

Above: Ryan Craven and Steve Finley celebrate after clinching spots in the Foot Locker National finals.

Mileage Updates - Week 2 mileage is up along with the first Mileage Progression for the 2006 track season.  Check out how your work load is progressing from week to week.

Above: They run so damn fast, but they're really just sweet little guys in disguise.  Too cute...damn, long awards ceremonies.

Above: The freshmen CC crew poses after their victory at Schaumburg.

February 4, 2006 - Great Workout Boys!

Championship Standards = Championship Results

It's weird how the things I write on napkins often end up becoming important ideas for me, but I really believe in the idea above.  I think that today's workout demonstrated championship standards in every way.  The conditions were tough, but you men attacked the workout with enthusiasm and great energy.  I was really proud to be your coach today.  As I look ahead to the daunting task of not just completing the Boston Marathon but also running it fast, I know that I can't do it without the support of the guys on the team.  The accomplishment of the one is the consequence of the whole.  Believe that.

I also hope that you guys grasp the bigger things we are accomplishing on a day to day basis on this team.  Not only are we becoming better runners, but we are also discovering a road map to greatness in other areas of our lives.  I see so many people who are content with mediocrity.  They do their jobs, but do not do them well.  So many kids think they work hard for their goals, but they really do not know what hard work is.  You guys do.  Some of you are great runners as a consequence of your hard work.  Some of you will never be great runners even though you work hard.  But all of you are learning a life mentality, a mode of living, that will enable you to reach what you are good at.  The steady applications of work across time do bring you to your dreams.  As you move on with your lives, remember that work isn't so much about the time that you put in, but about the enthusiasm and spirit you put into that work.  Enthusiasm for a task is what makes work transcendent and allows us to go beyond the mundane and common into the realm of the spectacular.  By the way, I thought of all this in the middle of the Thursday 1000 repeat.  Those in my group will know what I'm talking about :-)