CC Candyland

Anyone else play that board game when you were a kid? In this variation, we make maps and send them out looking for treats: some healthy, some not so much. The group who was sent first to the bucket with raisins asked if the whole thing were a joke. :D Each bucket also has a colored marker in it so the group can prove they were there. Fun!

CC Junior Championships

 "CC Junior" is an annual tradition where Nighthawk team members host younger siblings for a cross country meet of their own. Nighthawks are assigned jobs such as race directors, "golf carts" (run as fast as you can ahead of the racers), "sag wagons" (make sure no one gets lost), timers, chute organizers, snack wranglers, award presenters, and more. Races include the 400m (ages 3-5 only), 800m (anyone age 8 or younger), and the 1600m (anyone age 11 or younger). This year, we had over 25 siblings participating, accompanied by dozens and dozens of cheering fans. Cutest thing ever.

Picture Day

As much as we'd like a tight ship, it's always more like a crazy train... But once again, we pulled it off!

CC Poker

Because sometimes long runs need a little distraction...

Mega Fun Day

What began in our very first season as a way to clear the original cross country trail, has now become a great team builder with different work projects each year (although brush clearing is standard). Morning practice, breakfast, a couple hours of work, lunch, and movie in the barn. Mega fun!

Season IV

First day of cross country practice, and we're so excited for Season IV! We definitely have our work cut out for us with this crew, but it is all going to be awesome.

Track Time

One big improvement this season is more on-the-track time. Super thankful!

Fieldhouse

Riding arena by day, shot put fieldhouse by night... We told the runners they could simulate beach running if they didn't mind dodging the shot. Kidding. Sure would be nice to see the sun after all this cloudy weather, though!

Rolling

The face pretty much sums up early-season soreness...

2017 Track & Field: First Day!

Ahh, Minnesota in March. The first day of the 2017 Track & Field season was mentally tough running indoors, but this crew was on it. I have to say how impressed I was with the overall positivity out there! Of course I was too busy to think about taking pictures during the run, so you'll have to take my word for it. What does the t-shirt say, "Our sport is your sport's punishment"--or is it "Your sport is our sport's cool down"? :D O.K., we do have a few basketball players and other sharp-shooters on the team, and the rest were good sports about picking up a lively game of Lightning at the tail-end of practice. And first-day juice boxes for all. :) Thanks to everyone for being patient and flexible with these early day-to-day changes!

2nd Annual CC Jr.

The 2nd Annual CC Jr. run was a success! This family event is our way of thanking the younger team-siblings for being our biggest fans. The sibs (20+ of them) enter races of various distances (up to 1 mile) while the Nighthawk runners serve as meet directors, race starters, timers, chute helpers, awards presenters, and more. Thanks to all who participated!

MFD III

Mega Fun Day: The early-season tradition of running, food, work, more food, and a movie (keep eating). This year's installment was postponed a week due to the weather, but even so we ended up plenty wet. Still, the crew kept smiling and we made good progress on brush clearing and tree planting. Each year the "home course" looks a little better, and these young men and women have much to be proud of.

Planks?

This is where you hang out after a rainy-day run. Seems to work for stretching, but old barn floors aren't exactly ideal for ab work, so it gives all new meaning to "planks"! :D

Hills

They said that was tough. ;) Some of these athletes really stepped up their game, particularly those assigned as group leaders for the day. YES. Or maybe it was the all mosquitoes at the bottom of the hill... :D

First Day

First day and lots of new: new runners, new coaches, and new friendships already forming. Not to mention new protocols that come with a growing team. Thanks to all for your patience as we work out the details this first week! Go Nighthawks!

Morale Boost

Another meet postponed due to the weather. :/ Hmm... Is there *any* opportunity here? Run + snacks + back(barn)yard skills practice = morale boost. :) Thanks for being flexible, everyone!

Inaugural Track & Field Season - First Days

The track & field season is underway! "Be flexible and keep a sense of humor" is our inaugural season motto. :) We have a motley of practice locations including a city hall/park, a church, and a high school track--but it works and we're thankful. The weather has cooperated such that we've been able to run outdoors every day. These kids are true pioneers, and I can't say enough good about them.

Rocky

One of our college track buddies mentioned this clip from Rocky IV... A lack of training facilities didn't stop Rocky, and it won't stop us, ha!

Proposal

People often assume that homeschoolers have the right to use public school facilities in their taxpayer districts. Mmm...not quite. We haven't given up yet--ever try to *rent* a track stadium? :D --but we do have to get somewhat creative with practice times and locations.

Last week, we attended our local City Council meeting to introduce our team and negotiate indoor early-season stretching/gathering space in a large, empty room. (We will run outdoors, but March isn't exactly meet-on-the-lawn weather.) This was a bonus opportunity as an educational glimpse into local government, but we had no idea how we'd be received or whether we'd be able to afford it.

Well, the first words from the City Administrator were, "This was the group that rented our hall for their awards banquet and left it cleaner than when they arrived." (Yes!!) They were remarkably supportive of our program and suggested volunteer service in exchange for certain practice-space days until ice-out. Win-win! After all, engaging in our local community is part of our vision.

A little encouragement goes a long way. We take the steps we can see, and trust God for the next ones. Now to fill out the rest of our practice-location lineup and meet schedule. It's quite the journey and very exciting for those not faint of heart. :)

Burned

Cold days are also good for building fires. After our run, we talked about the lies that come into our minds when we're tired or hurting--especially in a race--but also the lies about who we are. We wrote them on notecards and burned them. Maybe next time I'll think to bring marshmallows. This week we head into the post season--the Section meet!