It appears now that I lied to you last week when I told you that Sweaty Saturday wasn’t going to become all about cross country, even though that is where I am spending my Saturdays for the next couple months. I believe our experience at the Mt. Carmel Invitational Cross Country Meet justifies the lie, though, so I hope you’ll forgive me.
I knew it was going to be a tough day when our bus pulled up to Morley Park in San Diego and there were several ambulances and fire trucks blocking the entry. Hold that thought for a moment, and let’s go back a few hours, when we were at the high school, catching the bus to go to our meet.
Not that anything exciting happened on that bus ride, I just want to give you a sense of the whole day. The Mt. Carmel Invitational is a big meet, located right in the heart of San Diego. So many schools attend that they divide the teams into two divisions, big schools and small schools. We are a small school, so this year our division runs in the group starting at 11:55 am (alternating years we run early in the morning). The only good thing about the late start is that we get to sleep in a little. The bus leaves at 7:30.
School bus drivers drive slow. They are supposed to. What would take me about two and a half hours in a car takes three and a half in a bus (including one potty stop). Time spent listening to music, audiobooks (for me), napping, talking, etc. And navigating, making sure the bus driver gets to the right place. Fortunately, one of my cross country moms (who also happens to be a professional baker) sent along these vegan date, almond, chocolate, coconut bites.
So we arrive at the park at about 11:00. We already knew that it was going to be hot, but we were in for a shock (well, we kind of knew already, being in an un-airconditioned bus). San Diego was getting record setting heat and it was about 97 degrees when we arrived, on its way to 104. Those ambulances? They were there because so many of the athletes, unaccustomed to the extreme heat, were dropping like flies.
I admit we were a little cocky. Heck, we live in the desert! We did a workout last Thursday, in 108 degrees, running in the hills (though, in deference to the heat we did not do the Valley of the Champions workout). We were in our element, with a definite advantage over beach kids! So we were a little disappointed to discover that, based on the advice of the emergency personnel, the course had been cut to about 2.1 miles and the hills eliminated. It was a long drive for a two mile race.
Freshman girls were up first (they had their game faces on). The two on the right are twins, who will probably mature into our top runners. Yesterday they finished 12th and 24th (out of about 250 girls). As I saw the second twin cross the finish line, I hurried to the end of the chute, having to take a detour around a roped-off area where the paramedics were set up (that was a first – and they were busy!).
I quickly saw the twin who had finished first, but couldn’t find her sister. There were a lot of people around the finish line, and it was difficult to see any individual. Finally a parent came to me and told me that the sister was with the paramedics. Oh no!
It turned out she had finished the race, then collapsed into the arms of the volunteers working the finish line (an awesome group of men, women, and teenagers who worked so hard in the heat yesterday). They took her to the paramedics, who were checking her vitals and cooling her down. Fortunately, her dad was there (I am always so grateful when a parent is there when something like this happens). Also worrisome was her twin. I’ve had twins on my team before, and they always freak out when their brother or sister is injured. I held her, tried to calm her down, telling her that her sister would be fine.
They ended up transporting her to the hospital, giving her fluids and continuing to cool her down. She is okay. She was released a few hours later. They said she was dehydrated and apparently she hadn’t eaten dinner the night before. I’m happy that she is fine, but I’m also frustrated that no matter how many times you tell the team how important eating and drinking properly is, there are still some that don’t follow instructions.
That started our day off on the wrong foot, but we continued on, not so cocky now and appreciative of that shortened course. We had no more incidents serious enough to warrant medical intervention, but both Alan and I, plus the team members who had finished their races made sure to be right when each athlete finished.
We finally finished up around 3:30. The team did pretty good. I’m proud of them all. As their reward, as we do every year. we took them to the beach after the meet. Fortunately, our strictly by-the-book bus driver cooperated (seriously, he physically demonstrated how to pop the emergency hatches, showed Alan and me how to operate the bus, and would not allow any food on the way home. I know those are the rules, but in all my 11 years of coaching that was the first time I was shown how to shift gears on a bus.). By the time we got to Moonlight Beach in Encinitas (our favorite), it was almost 4:30. With a three hour drive looming, we gave them just an hour to swim, eat, whatever they chose. Cooling off wasn’t really an option, it was still in the 90s at the beach!
Alan and I chose to skip the beach and walk to lunch. I decided to go to Whole Foods and hit up the salad bar, while Alan and a few of the girls went to Subway. I don’t get many opportunities to go to Whole Foods so I enjoyed choosing from the vegan selection. Lentil salad, dolmas, kale, tabouli, and potato salad, all vegan and all delicious. I met the others at Subway and we walked to Starbucks, where we ordered coffees and sat down outside to eat. It was still hot enough to require a shaded table at 5:00 pm!
We finally got back on the road about 5:45, after gathering all the kids and, per the bus driver, making sure we tracked no sand into the bus. The late start was actually helpful because while it was still hot, it wasn’t quite as bad as driving midday would have been. I was as dehydrated as the team, in spite of drinking steadily through the day. So much for the desert advantage! I did manage, during the long ride, to email the newspaper with our results. Thank goodness for smart phones!
We arrived back at the school about 8:30 and by the time the last parent picked up their child and we arrived home it was close to 9:30. Taking a little time to settle down and relax, I didn’t turn off my light until about 11:00. If you know me, your eyes are wide open now, because that is way late for both Alan and me.
Sunday has been spent recovering. Yes, I know, I didn’t race, but I did spend hours in the sun and even more hours on a hard bus bench seat. I happily made it to yoga this morning, but no run for this coach this weekend.
So, how is your weekend going? Any races, adventures, or good eating going on? Do tell!
ohmygosh! That was quite an adventure and a long day! I’m so glad to hear that you didn’t have anymore medical incidents. After all that, you definitely deserved to rest and recuperate on Sunday. We had a good weekend here and I went on a cooking/baking spree which was quite satisfying. I haven’t done that in quite a while.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..It was a good day
I really just totally did nothing (except the yoga) on Sunday. I slept in, napped, sat around watching football. Same for my husband. I did write this post, though, so I guess I accomplished something.
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: I Lied. It’s About Cross Country
I hear ya SISTUH! Having coached soccer for years, including high school soccer, I have fond, not fond, fun, not fun memories of buses, long days, sunstroke, amazing kids, injured kids, supportive parents, parents to heave off a cliff – and more amazing, wonderful teens! You deserve a gold medal for being their coach and champion!
KymberlyFunFit recently posted..Tips to Look Super Cool and Totally Hot on Camera
At last! Someone who really understands! It is so like that. Great kids, (annoying kids), PTA parents and those who make vegan chocolate bites (and even a few who run with us..love that!). I actually kind of love the whole bus thing, except the heat part of it. That part sucks.
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: I Lied. It’s About Cross Country
Whooah! What a hot wkend for you!! Im glad the team ended up making it through the race despite the major heat! WOW! I can’t imagine running in that!
Yes, it was pretty miserable. I usually run from point to point, so I can see the runners, plus get in a little mileage myself, but it was too hot for me (I got about 1/2 mile total
).
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: I Lied. It’s About Cross Country
Wow! That was an ordeal! I think you deserve a huge THANK YOU for being a coach first. Second, I think your team deserves high fives for being awesome!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Running with A Legend
Why, thank you! The team is awesome! They had to work so hard in the heat.
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: I Lied. It’s About Cross Country
I feel terrible for the twins – and you! How scary
.
On the plus side – those vegan bites look amazing, and love Whole Foods (though I’ve only ever been to one!).
Kate recently posted..Sit down, I have a story to tell you
The twin will be okay. A combination of heat, dehydration and not enough fuel. You should have seen how many kids were going down. That WAS scary.
I’ve only been a few times to Whole Foods myself. We don’t have one here (not until 2014!). It’s fun, but pretty expensive.
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: I Lied. It’s About Cross Country
High five to you and your team!!! So happy to hear she is okay!
Kierston recently posted..5 Tips: Easing The Pain in Fitness Competition Heels!
Thank you! Yes, she will be fine. She’ll probably be at practice this afternoon (where it will again be 104ish).
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: I Lied. It’s About Cross Country
How scary! Glad everyone is okay and hopefully they will all be hydrated and fueled next time
Kelly @ Cupcake Kelly’s recently posted..We Run This
Yes, I hope they learn from this. Experience = better than all the words that come out of coach’s mouth.
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: I Lied. It’s About Cross Country
Oh my word…the coconut bites look fantastic? Anyway that mom can share her recipe?
Katie @wishandwhimsy recently posted..Veering from “The List”
Good point. I’ll ask her. They look pretty simple, but they taste amazing. The date and almonds combine to take like marzipan. I’m not a big coconut fan, but I’ll make an exception for these. (She also made a non-vegan berry cobbler that my husband says was also amazing)
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: I Lied. It’s About Cross Country
I’m so glad everyone was able to remain healthy after the meet. This was a ridiculously hot Saturday. Yay for Yoga!
Carrie@Familyfitnessfood.com recently posted..Chain Restaurants
Yes, it was crazy hot. I mean, here in the desert we’re used to it, but many people in San Diego don’t have air conditioning because they so rarely need it.
Yes, yoga really revitalized me. So glad I made it to class.
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: I Lied. It’s About Cross Country
Wow! What an adventure! I’m so glad the twin girl was ok…dehydration is scary stuff! Hope you got rested up after that…even though you didn’t run…being out in the sun still wears you out!
Mindy @Road Runner Girl recently posted..The Weekly Chase and Premier Protein WINNERS!
Yeah, I told the team that we worked harder than them. Five hours in the sun, six on the bus > 13-15 minutes running. I’m not sure they bought it.
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: I Lied. It’s About Cross Country
I’m very happy the rest of your day got better. Such a scary event to take place 1st thing. I cannot believe she didn’t eat but very happy she got the care she needed immediately and her dad was there. Yay for you being there for her twin. I’m sure that was incredibly difficult for her to see. I know twins are a different/unique breed, being married to a twin.
Jen recently posted..Marathons, Yoga, and Aurorae Synergy
I had a pair of twins, boy and girl, on my team a few years ago. The boy went down at our final meet (he was okay in the end), and his sister freaked out. Both his parents were there, but she was so scared. Yeah, twins have that special connections.
Debbie recently posted..Sweaty Saturday: I Lied. It’s About Cross Country
I realize you posted greatness, but i was stuck on the vegan coconut bites, eh huh? do you know how these were made???
p.s. tobouli is a recent discovery of mine at a middle eastern restaurant, I just love it!!
and, of course, great job today….sorry i was distracted by the food stuff!! can’t help it!!
Lol! Those choco bites are pretty distracting. I’m going to ask about the recipe for them. Hopefully, she’ll let me post it on the blog.
Debbie recently posted..Weekly Reader: Inspiring Words from Around the Web (9/17)
What a day! I’m so impressed with coaches- your jobs extend well beyond ‘normal’ working hours. And it’s sometimes a very thankless position, but I know my coaches were some of the most influential people in my childhood. Kudos to you!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..A therapeutic run
Some of my proudest moments are when former team members come back and tell us how we have influenced their life.
Debbie recently posted..Weekly Reader: Inspiring Words from Around the Web (9/17)
Wow, long day for you. As a trainer, I hear you on your frustrations and I can tell you that adults don’t always listen either. I’ve had a few clients come in dehydrated and having gone without eating for several hours at a time. You’re right though, experience is more effective than words. They see stars, they feel nauseous, or they black out and then they never do it again.
It’s a tough way to learn, but it is memorable. Still, they are getting the lecture daily, for anyone who listens.
Debbie recently posted..Weekly Reader: Inspiring Words from Around the Web (9/17)
Way to go, Coach(es)! I’ve been the girl to end up dehydrated and taking the ambulance ride to the hospital. Of course, I was 34 at the time since I was a slow learner, I mean, late bloomer. So nice that you got a recovery day; that sounds like a long day for you all!
TriGirl recently posted..Will Run for High Fives: ChelanMan Sprint Tri (the run)
I really enjoyed my recovery day. Boy, did I need it. Happy that next weeks meet is much closer to home and a lot shorter. And hopefully so boring content- wise that I won’t feel the need to write about it.
Debbie recently posted..Weekly Reader: Inspiring Words from Around the Web (9/17)