The State Series
The crimson and gold maples and oaks leisurely stripping to their skeletons are not the only autumn signature that winter's smothering cloak of cold looms.
A tweet from Joe Lynn, former Mizzou cross country coach, reminded me this is so. "That time of the year to start thinking about running fast," is what @CoachJoeLynn broadcast to his Twitter followers.
Here on the leading edge of winter is when cross country runners shed their cautionary ways and run like they are unbreakable. It is now time for distance runners to trust that their chassis will be sound and up to the beating the best will force from it.
It is known as "The State Series" here in Missouri's high school cross country circles. Any coach, runner or fan knows the magnitude those words carry. It starts with district meets for all sized school held in late October in every part of the state. It then advances to sectionals for the larger schools, then on to the state meet at Oak Hills Golf Course the first Saturday in November.
This is where those who are fast enough and fortunate enough to qualify will race for themselves, their school, their town and whatever history they pound into that hilly, tortuous turf.
Distance racing is different in that the elite runners and teams map their training to produce just one or two maximum-effort peak performances throughout the entire season. Sure, the big early season meets are a great way to see where your training is and a chance to run against different colored singlets. But is it now, with leaves changing and frost covering your racing spikes, when your inner motor starts to wind into a high-pitched frenzy for what lies ahead the next few weeks.
The part-time runners who came out for the cross country team for the social aspect or to get in shape for their primary sports are no longer around. The tone in the smaller morning stretching circles has seamlessly transitioned from jovial to a more serious tilt. The goal is within sight now. The cooler temps and still-dark skies invite a quiet resolve to a team looking to complete the final chapter of a season of work.
Failure is terminal this time of year. Finish in the top four as a team and your top seven runners move on to the next test. Fifth place or less results in tears and separation. Uniforms are laundered for the last time. Teammates revert to mere classmates. Goals unachieved linger forever like ghosts.
It is that time of year to start thinking about running fast.
Greg Hall @greghall24