Hello again everyone. This past week has been one of the best this season here in Celebration; both training and racing wise. The team traveled up to Gainesville for the Mt. Dew invitational at the University of Florida, and raced better than we have as a team in a long while. Our average time of 20:18 is the fastest that it has been since I began at Celebration, needless to say, it was a good weekend for the team.
Individually, my race went well also. The beginning was a bit rough, as is any race that restarts four times, but overall I was very pleased with my performance. I was able to play to my strength of running uphill throughout the slight rolling hills of the UF golf course, and finish a solid third place. I contribute that partially to a new found confidence I have this season. Perhaps it is the fact that I am not new to Florida anymore, but going into this season I am finding that I have a much greater confidence in my running, which helps a lot going into big races such as this. With that being said, it is safe to say that I loved the course. I have a thing for running on golf courses; whether it be racing, or early morning runs on the golf course in Celebration (which have sometimes ended with speed work via an angry groundskeeper in a golf cart), it is always a fun time. Aside from my own race this weekend, I have to tip my hat to Elliot Clemente who ran a superb race at UF. Part of me wishes I would have been able to see it!
On top of all the above, the weekend had another highlight. As I mentioned last week, I have twin sisters who also run for Celebration. This weekend was their first big invitational of their high school careers, and I was incredibly happy to be able to watch them. One thing you have to know about these two girls (Shanney and Delaney), is that aside from being my biggest fans, they are two of the hardest working athletes I know. They have both struggled with breathing problems (asthma, etc) over the course of the past couple years, and yet they have not let that deter them from running. It makes me incredibly proud to see them race, especially at a meet like UF, when I know how hard they have worked to be able to compete. I think that one of the things I will miss most when I am away at school next year is not being able to be on a team with them; having family with you at every practice and every race makes the sport even more special.Well, that about sums up the weekend for me and my team at UF. Next weekend, I unfortunately will be missing the Flrunners invite due to SAT II’s. I had fun there last year, and am sorry to be missing it; but I would like to wish luck to all those who will be out there next weekend! Hope that it is another fast day like last season.
More On Quincy
Hey all Florida running fans, my name is Quincy O’Connor and I am just getting underway in my senior year at Celebration High School, right outside of Orlando. After a great summer of running and some fun, I am now getting my final XC season underway. My summer this year was nothing too crazy, just building mileage. I was lucky enough to be able to go to camp in Flagstaff, AZ, which for all those who like to travel, I would highly recommend. I have never been to a city more perfectly set up for runners than Flagstaff; and I cannot think of a better place to train. - 2011-09-19 11:15:00