Super Important Announcements - Again!

1)Hey PHS RUNNERS! We still need sweats and uniforms from a lot of you. Please retrun them to Coach Lamb or Coach Fader ASAP. You will not receive awards (and will be fined) if you do not return your gear.
2) Make sure to mark your calendars for the Cross Country Awards Night on November 24th at 6:00pm. I passed out a flyer to all you in school so you should have all the details. If you did not receive a flyer stop by my room (g114) or let me know someother way and I'll get you one. Don't forget to make your "special award" for your designated teammate and make sure to meet up with your desert team to make your entry for the desert competition. See the flyer for details.

3)Speaking of awards night, I am now assembling the slide show and I could use any pictures from the season that you are willing to share. I'm also very open to suggestions for music, unless you want to risk a soundtrack completely composed of Coach Fader's "old guy" music. Banjos anyone?

4) Keep that love for running alive, prepare for Track or just run for fun this winter by joining the PHS Winter Running club. Sean-Z has been hard at work forming a club for winter road races and running. Meet in my room next tuesday(Nov. 19th) during contact time for more information. Stop by my room sometime beforehand to pick up a pass.
CUrrently Sean has come up with a schedule of road races for those interested and the club will meet on thursdays at 1:08 (immediately after school) at the stadium for a weekly run. There is also talk of a weekly satuday morning run beginning at the Falls in Creve Coeur PArk at 8:00am. Come on by the meeting and share your thoguhts and discuss teh details. Oh,.. and bring a friend.

5) Finally, running never ends, it just changes seasons. Now is the season to just simply get out and enjoy the freedom, fitness and many other benefits of being a runner. I'll likely post some running inspiration and running tips over the winter, so stop in from time to time and see whats happening on winter version of the XC blog.

News of the week Nov. 2- 7,2009 - last of the XC season

Practice- you know who you are and where to meet - we will likely be done by 4:15 everyday
Mon 2- Creve Coeur Upper
Tues 3 - O'connor Park
Wed. 4 - Athletes choice
Thurs. 5 - High School
Fri. 6 - Leave for state meet in the afternoon and tour the course.
Sat. 7 - Missouri State Championship Cross Country Meet - Good Luck Jalisa and Hannah!

Missouri State Championship Info.
Location: Oak Hills Golf Center, Jefferson City
Race Times:
class 4 girls: 11:30am
class 4 boys: 12:45pm

H2O + XC = Racin' in the Mud

The photo above was taken on the starting line at Sectionals , before the race.

Torrential downpours over the past week or so have left us with some true cross country action to finish out the season. Pirate runnners split up last wednesday between the Findley Memorial Inv. at Forest Park (boys) and the Finn Dawg Inv. at Kirkwood park (girls).Congratulations to all our competitors in these races for finishing your season in style...true muddy-soggy- swampy style.

Our Sectional meet at Forest Park this past weekend offered up more mud lovin' fun. Two collegiate races were held immediately before our races, leaving the already soggy course the consistency of pudding. What is normally considered a race track became a swamp fest for a ticket to the state meet. Congratulations to Sean, Jalisa,Hannah and Geri for making the best of the day and battling hard in a sloppy sectional meet. In the end, Jalisa(3rd overall!)and Hannah (19th overall) both cruised through the mud bogs fast enough to earn a spot in the state meet next weekend. Congratulations and best of luck. Go Pirates!

News for the Week Ocotber 26- 31

Practice Schedule (2:30 - 5:20) meet at the stadium
** *Wednesday will be our last official last day of the season for all other than those qualifying for the Sectional and State meet. However, team support at the remaining meets is encouraged.

Mon. 26 - bus to Lost Valley for some trail running (assuming we get a bus)
Tues. 27 -O'Connor Park
Wed. 28 - Finn Dawg Inv. and Findley Memorial races (details below)
Thurs. 29 - High School -
Fri. 30 - Off
Sat. 31 - Sectional meet at Forest Park (details below)

Meet Info:

Saturday Oct. 31 - Sectional Meet
Location: Forest Park - Central fields
Directions: The race course is located on the Central Ball Fields in Forest Park. From PHS take HWY 70 east to Hwy 170 south, then go east on Forest Park Parkway. You can take the Parkway all the way to Forest Park and enter just as you cross over Lindell. Once in the park make a quick left on Grand (over a small bridge) and you will be facing the Central Fields. Veer left onto Jeferson OR right on to Union and find a parking spot.

Bus: be at the high school at 9:50, bus leaves at 10:00 Team members not running are welcome to ride along.

Race Times: Boys Race 11:30am, Girls Race - 12:15pm, Open Race 1:00pm

Awards/Qualifying: ceremony at 1:30, 30 medals, Top 4 teams and top 30 individuals advance to State Championships

Note: Sectional Championship t shirts will be for sale. short sleeve for $13.oo, Long sleeve for $15.00

Congratulations to Sectional Qualifying Individuals

Despite an extremely close race for a team spot to Sectionals and an outstanding effort by the girls varsity team, the district 4 meet became the end of ours Varsity team's regular season. However, several individuals have qualified for the Sectional meet at Forest Park next weekend. Congrats to Jalisa, Hannah, Geri and Sean for earning a spot in the next big race! While we won't be running with you in the race, the team will still exist in support and spirit.

Also, don't forget we also have one last meet for the rest of the team this Wednesday at the Finn Dawg Invitational for the girls and Findley Memorial Inviatational for the boys.

Run Hard!

News for the week October 19- 24

Practice Schedule (2:30-5:20 unless otherwise noted) Meet at the stadium
Mon. 19th - bus cancelled- rescheduled to Creve Coeur Falls
Tues. 20th - drive to Vago Park
Wed. 21st - bus to McNair Park
Thurs. 22nd- High School
Fri. 23rd- Varsity only- finished by 3:30
Sat 24th - Class 4 District 4 Meet - only Varsity race
Sun 25th- off

Meet information for District 4 Meet
Date: Saturday October 24
Location: McNair Park
Time Schedule:
Bus leaves PHS stadium at 8:30 am (be there by 8:20am)
Varsity Girls 10:00
Varsity Boys 10:40
Awards Ceremony 12:00 or as soon as possible
Return to PHS about 1:00 pm

Driving Directions:
I-70 west
Take the First Capital exit and turn right off the exit ramp
Left on West Clay
Right on Droste
Follow Droste until you see the park entrance on the right.

General Announcements and upcoming dates of importance:

- Lost and Found- The coaches have come across a couple team shirts and various sweats that have been found at meets. If you are missing something please check with us.

-**Any team members (other than Varsity) who have decided not to continue with the season until the meets on the 28th should turn in their sweats and uniform immediately. Also, please don't forget to create the special award for the team member you have chosen. If your stuck for ideas the Coaches may be able to help.

Wed. Oct. 28 Finn Dawg Inv. Kirkwood Park (Girls) (Sectional qualifiers excluded)
Wed. Oct. 28 Findley Memorial at Forest Park (boys)
Saturday October 31. Sectional meet (qualifiers only) Boys 11:30am Girls 12:15pm
Saturday November 7 - State Meet in Jeferson City(qualifiers only)
Tuesday November 24 - 6-8pm Cross Country awards and slideshow

Congratulations!

Congratulations to the Varsity Girls and JV Girls teams for capturing the team championships in their respective divisions at the Suburban North Conference Meet. Outstanding work Girls! Let's carry that winning team effort with us into the District meet and beyond..

Slice of Pie run this Saturday Oct. 17

With the rain out of the Apple run last week and the sudden change of date for the Conference meet, we have decided to make the best of our new schedule and use Saturday morning for an optional fun run. It will be a bit too cold and late in the season for apples, so the plan has been altered to running the trails at Pere Marquette State Park and then follow that up with some tastey pie from My Just Desserts in Alton.
Interested teammembers should meet at the stadium at 8:30 am Saturday morning (Oct. 17). The Coaches will then drive everyone over to Illinois for our morning adventure. Bring warm clothes for after our run and a few dollars for pie etc. I believe a slice of pie is about $3.50. We should return just after noon.

News for the Week October 12-17, 2009

Practice Schedule
2:30-5:25 (unless noted otherwise)meet at the stadium

It looks like it might be a bit chilly this week and possibly a little wet. Make sure you have sweats, hats (gloves optional), and dry clothes for after practice.

Mon. Oct. 12 - bus to Hamburg trail for some downhillin'
Tues. Oct. 13 - drive to Oconnor Park
Wed. Oct. 14- bus to Koch Park
Thurs. Oct. 15- Coach Fitz's Team Builder Special -stay on campus, don't dress out, meet in room E209 at 2:20
Fri. Oct. 16 - SNC Conference Meet (rescheduled from original date of saturday 17th)


Suburban North Conference Meet Info. (Please note that due to scheduling conflicts with the hosting school the date, times and location have been changed from our original Meet schedule)
Date: Friday Oct. 16th 2009
Time: meet at high school stadium at 2:30 - immediately after school
Race times:
4:00 pm Varsity Girls
4:40 Varsity Boys
5:15 JV( boys and girls will run together and be sorted in the chute)
Location: McCluer North High School
Directions:
- take I-270 North/East
- Exit at Washington/Elizabeth Exit 28
- turn sharp left onto N.Elizabeth Ave./Washington (continue to follow Washington)
- turn Right on Lynn Meadows Ln.
- turn Right on Derhake Rd.
-turn Left on Waterford Dr.
McCluer North High School will be on your left, 705 Waterford Drive
ALternate route which is probably more direct than the mapquest generated one above:
Take I-270 and exit at New Florissant Rd. and go North 1.3 miles
turn Right on St. Catherine go 1.1 miles to Waterford, McCluer North is on the left.

Upcoming Events:
Oct. 24 District meet at McNair Park
Oct. 28th Finn Dawg Inv. at Kirkwood Park (Girls) and Findley Memorial Inv. at Forest Park(Boys)*** These will be the last races of the season for all JV, Sophomore, and Freshman runners.
Oct. 30th Sectional Meet at Forest Park - qualifying Varsity only
Nov. 7 State Meet in Jefferson City- qualifying Varsity only
Nov. 24 Cross Country Awards Night 6:00 - 8:00 pm (details will be posted soon)

Great fun at the Middle School Cross Country Meet

How many runners can you find in the picture above?

Congratulations to the Pattonville Middle School runners and their Coaches for good times and hard running at the first official Pattonville Middle School Cross Country Meet. Eigth grade runners from Heights, Holman and Remington schools competed against each other in a girls and boys race. The morning was full of Cross Country goodness with cool temps, heavy fog and a course with just enough sogginess to make it fun. Excellent job Middle schoolers. Keep on running and we hope to see you as part of our team next year. We will be in touch ;-)

Special thanks to Mr. Schnatmeier for arranging an excellent meet and for starting a middle school cross country program. Thanks also to Coach Brown, Coach Lancaster, and Coach Walker for building and training your respective middle school teams. Nice work to all!

Finally, I also want to thank our own cross country team for arriving early on a saturday , helping run the meet and then following it up with a quality workout. Your work was greatly appreciated and I hope you enjoyed the "other side of a meet" as much as I did. Today you made an investment in the team in more than one way.

Apple Run Cancelled

Due to the past 24 hours of rain and the current 100% chance for rain until noon today the Apple run will have to be cancelled. I will be at the high school at 7:00 am to meet anyone who doesn't get this message and I plan on doing a run in the rain if anyone wants to join in.

The plans for the Middle School meet have not changed and the weather looks to be much more favorable. I will see you at the stadium at 7:15 Saturday morning. Be prepared for a workout following the meet as mentioned in practice.

XC Photos

Ms. Willingham has generously offered to share some photos of the season thus far. You can check them out at http://phscc2009.shutterfly.com

News for the Week - October 5th -10th

Practice Schedule 2:30-5:25pm unless otherwise noted. Always meet at the stadium.

Mon. 5th - Drive to Creve Coeur Falls
Tues. 6th - Drive to Appletree Park
Wed. 7th - Creve Coeur Upper level by tennis courts.... finished by 4:15 activity bus
(parent/ teacher conferences)
Thurs 8th - practice at PHS...finished by 4:15 activty bus (parent/teacher conferences)
Friday 9th - No School - (optional special practice) "Apple Run" - meet at PHS at 7:00am -Coaches will drive all to Pere Marquette State Park for some trail running and hills of epic proportion. Distance will be adjusted based on ability level. After our run we will drive to nearby Eckert's Orchard in Grafton and enjoy some post run apple picking and munching. Some apples will be purchased for all, but bring money if you wish to have some extra for yourself. We will return to the high school around noon.
Bring an extra t-shirt/dry clothes to change into after our run (there is a lodge at the park to change) and money if you wish to purchase extra apples for yourself or anything else at Eckerts.

Saturday 10th- (Required Event) Pattonville Middle School Meet on the PHS campus
This is our chance to be on the other side of the race course and support the middle school XC program. Hopefully, many of these runners may be your teammates next year. We are hosting the meet so your attendance and help is necessary. We will also have a short workout after the meet is over. Details will be provided at practice this week, but here is the time schedule:
7:15 am: Meet at the high school stadium
8:00 am : Girls competition
8:45 am : Boys competition
9:30 am : Awards
10:00- 11:30 our workout on campus

MEET SCHEDULE for the remainder of the 2009 XC season
Saturday Oct. 17 - Surburban North Conference Meet - Koch Park
Saturday Oct. 24- District meet - McNair Park
Wednesday Oct. 28 Boys and girls teams (Varsity excluded) will go to two seperate meets. Both meets will be the last race of the season for everyone except Varsity runners who have qualified for Sectionals.
Boys - Findley Memorial JV and Freshman XC Invitational - Forest Park 4:30pm
Girls - Finn Dawg Invitational - Kirkwood Park 4:00pm

Saturday Oct. 31 - Sectional meet - Forest Park
November 7th - Missouri State Cross Country Meet - Oak Hills Golf Course, Jefferson City

Why do you run?

One runner's answer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iuy1GSYoOr8
What's yours?

News for the Week Sept. 28-Oct. 3

Practice Schedule
2:30 - 5:25 (unless noted otherwise) Always meet at the stadium.

Mon. 28th - bus to Queeny park ** we may be slightly later than the 5:30 activity bus, please make arrangemnets if necessary
Tues. 29th - bus to McNair park for tri meet with Fort Zumwalt East and Villa Duchesne - not your average meet - details at practice
Wed. 30th - drive to Creve Coeur Falls
Thurs. Oct. 1 - drive to Vago Park
Fri. 2nd - High school - finished before 5:00 activity bus
Sat. 3rd- Parkway West Inv. at McNair Park (also PHS Homecoming)

PARKWAY WEST INV. Information
Location: McNair Park
Date: Saturday Oct. 3rd
Times: Be at the stadium at 7:30am - bus leaves at 7:45am
We should return by 1:30pm or possibly earlier
Race Schedule: 9:00 JV Boys
9:30 JV girls
10:10 Varsity Boys
10:40 Varsity Girls
11:10 Sophomore Boys
11:40 Freshman/Sophmore Girls
12:20 Freshman Boys
12:45 Awards

Distance: All races are 5K
Directions to McNair Park:
- I-70 West
- take the First Capital exit and trun right off the exit ramp
- Left on West Clay
- Right on Droste
- Follow Droste until you see the park entrance on the right

Important Upcoming Dates:
Friday Oct. 9th - No school - Varsity Practice

Saturday Oct. 10th - 1st Official Pattonville Middle School XC meet - We are running off the meet and will also have a workout. Attendance is required.

Saturday Oct. 17th - Conference Meet at Koch Park

Meet Results

Looking for meet results on the web? You can find most of our meets, other meets in the state and lots of good Missouri XC stuff here: http://mo.milesplit.us/

News for the Week - September 21- 26

Practice Schedule
Everyday from 2:30-5:25 unless noted otherwise- always meet at the stadium
Mon. 21st - drive to Oconnor Park
Tues. 22nd - Bus to Lewis and Clark trail for some good ole trail running (bring bug spray)
We should be back before the 5:30 bus, but could be late - please make arrangements
Wed. 23rd - bus to Hazelwood East Fresh/Soph meet (Details below) Juniors and seniors workout at meet
Thurs. 24th - High School - done by 4:15 bus
Fri. 25th - Hazelwood West Inv. at Koch Park (details below) Bus leaves stadium at 2:35
Saturday 26th - Varsity practice- location TBA

Reminders:

-SWEATS - We have been really lucky with the weather so far this season, but those cool and rainy days will come. Be prepared and bring extra socks/shirt and sweats from here on out. As it gets cooler hats and gloves will also be necessary. Please remember meet sweats are only for meets. Don't spend a fortune on sweats, any nylon sweats from Target, Kohls or Walmart will work great. You can get cotton garde gloves for $1.00 at most stores and I found a great hat myself for two bucks at walmart.

- T-SHIRTS -Parents/Friends/Pattonville XC fans - I have about 7 large team shirts left that I am putting on mid season sale for $10.oo a shirt. First come, first serve.

- MEET Attendance- If for some reason you can not attend a meet, please let Coach Fader know in writing as soon as possible. An email or simply a hand written note is fine. This is important in terms of me remembering and also a critical factor when entering meets.

Meet Information this week:


Hazelwood East Freshman/Sophomore meet - Wed. Sept. 23
Location: Hazelwood East High School
Bus leaves stadium immediately after school at 2:35. We will not make it back for the 5:30 activity bus, please make arrangements to get home from school.

Race Times:
4:00 Freshman Boys/Girls
4:45 Sophomore Boys/Girls
Boys and Girls run together in both races, but have separate finish chutes

Directions to Hazelwood East High School:
-Take 270 east to 367 North
-Shortly after turning on 367 you will take the first exit to Dunn Rd.
-Turn right off the exit ramp onto Dunn road
- Turn right again on Dunn road as it turns again itself (you will now be driving parrell to Hwy367, but in the opposite direction from which you came)
-continue to follow Dunn Rd. to Hazelwood East High School.

Hazelwood West Invitational - Friday Sept. 25
Location: Koch Park
Bus Leaves Stadium immediately after school at 2:35. We will not make it back for the 5:30 activty bus, please make arrangements for a ride home from school after the meet.

Race times:
4:00 Varsity Boys
4:30 Varsity Girls
5:00 Junior Varisty Boys
5:30 Junior Varsity Girls

Directions to Koch Park:
- take 27o east/north
- exit at McDonnell and turn left off exit ramp
- McDonnell becomes Howdershell - stay straight
Koch Park is located at the corner of Charbonier and Howdershell

Upcoming Events:
Sept. 29th - PHS/FZE/Duchesne tri meet- not really a good one to watch- details at practice
October 3rd- Parkway West Inv. - McNair Park (this also happens to be Homecoming at PHS)

News for the Week- Sept.14-19

Practice Schedule
2:30-5:30 (unless noted otherwise) - Always meet at the stadium

Mon. 14th - Bus to McNair Park for a workout and lining the course for tuesday.
Tues. 15th - Pattonville/St. Charles West Freshman Sophmore meet at McNair Park- meet at stadium immediately after school for a bus to the park. JV and Varsity will practice at park and help with the meet. (details below)
Wed. 16th - Vago park (drive) Bring any type of ball (1 or more, but nothing expensive)
Thurs. 17th - Creve Coeur Upper level by tennis courts (drive)
Friday 18th - High School- finish before 5:00 activity bus

MEETS THIS WEEK

Tuesday Sept. 15 - PHS/SCW Freshman/Sophmore meet at McNair Park (2 miles)
2:30 Bus leaves from stadium at usual practice time.
4:00 Sophomore Girls
4:30 Sophmore Boys
5:00 Freshman Girls
5:30 Freshman Boys

Awards: top 20 in each race

Directions: Hwy 70 west
Take the First Capital exit and turn right off the exit ramp
Left on West Clay
Right on Droste
Follow Droste until you see the park entrance on the right.

Saturday, September 19 - Edwardsville Invitational at SIUE
Be at the High School stadium by 7:00am
Bus leaves at 7:15am

Race Times: 9:00 Varsity Boys
9:45 Varsity Girls
10:30 Fresh/Soph Boys
11:15 JV Girls
12:00 Open Race

Course Distance : all races will be 5k

Awards:
-top 25 individuals in each race
-3 team awards for varsity races
-1 team award for fresh/soph and Girls JV races

Directions: I- 270 east to I-255 North
I-255 to New Poag Road exit
Turn right on New Poag road (drive 2 miles or so to the first stop light)
Turn right on North University Drive, the course will be on your right shortly.
Parking is on the left across from the course.

Forest Park Cross Country Festival Results

Saturday brought sunny skies and warm temps for the biggest (and longest) meet we will attend this season. For the Varsity teams and JV Boys it was also their first shot at a 5K race this season. I saw a lot of great effort in all the races and I know a few PRs were set.

Regardless, if your race was super good or a little-off it can be a valuable learning opportunity? Ask yourself: What did you do well in the race? What could you have done better? Did you achieve your goals? Is this a step in the right direction for your long term goals? If not, what can you learn from this race to get you where you want to go?

Congratulation to the Varsity Girls team for 1st place in the White Division Varsity race. WoooHOOOO!

Results will be passed out at practice, but you can also find them at http://mo.milesplit.us/meets/56114

Fleet Feet Cross Country Kickoff - Go Green!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf6cKNrv0Vc