It took me a while to get around to writing about the MV Ekiden, but that’s not because it was not a cool event. The Ekiden was very, very cool!
Watching the opening leg runners for Monta Vista warm up, I realized that I had a little nervousness in my stomach–that same sensation I have when watching the kids warm up for SCVALs or for CCS. Not the same intensity, for sure, but it was the same feeling that came from the same place–the hope that the team runs well and feels good at the end of the day, like they have done their best and competed well. It was so nice to know after months of the pandemic that feeling is still there. Welcome back, old friend!
The Ekiden was a 13.1 miler on the LG Creek Trail, broken into segments of 3.1 miles, 2 miles, 3 miles, 2 miles and 3 miles for a 13.1 mile half marathon. The Monta Vista teams were:
- Boys: Rohun Agrawal, Justin Yu, Alex Nguyen, Andrew Cole, Sahil Goel
- Girls: Sylvana Northrop, Nikhita Saldi, Jannah Sheriff, Sydney Stevens, Ellie Hsu
- Co-Ed: Margaux Francouer, Megan Nieh, Max Ready, Nathan Schober, Nerea Northrop
All the ‘hand-offs’ were non-contact; incoming runners enter a zone and the outgoing runners could depart. Ekidens can be very pandemic-friendly; few runners are on the course at one time and they are spread out over a good distance.
Los Gatos was the only other school to accept the Monta Vista Ekiden Challenge…and they competed well. The final results are:
- Monta Vista Boys: 1:17:57
- Los Gatos Boys: 1:18:27
- Los Gatos Co-Ed: 1:27:29
- Monta Vista Girls: 1:30:18
- Los Gatos Girls: 1:32:26
- Monta Vista Co-Ed: 1:37:27
Well done, everyone!
Friday’s Pre-Race DYI Pasta Party!
Exchange Zone 4
Awards Podium in the time of COVID
Practice Updates
We have had a good couple weeks of practices as we get used to the change in times. With one birthday celebration, sneaking in an extra morning practice on Veterans Day (Coach Flatow went home and made pancakes after since the day felt more like a Saturday than a Wednesday), and some good running…the team looks good.
Remember, we will be taking a pause on group practice from Sunday November 22 until the scheduled start of the CIF competitive season on December 14. On December 14, we will have some short practices during finals and then ramp up our efforts during the break so that we are ready for the competitive season in January.
During the three week pause on group practices, keep your running going…get together in small groups, go on your own, whatever. Always talk to your friends and teammates and keep each other inspired. Log you miles on the MVXC group mileage form. Keep building on all the good work you have done!
And stay safe. There are lots of reasons to try to avoid the COVID-19 virus–for our own safety and long term health, for the health of our families, to be a good member of society. And for the team; if any of us tests positive, the group is shut down for a period of time. You have all been good at practice about following safe protocols to avoid the transmission of the virus. Please follow those protocols all the time during your life! For yourself, your family, for society, for your team.
Please remember that in order to begin practice on December 14, you must be cleared by the school–no exceptions. As I write this only six athletes, are cleared–Sydney, Srika, Anoushka, John, Sean, Nathan. Take care of this right away, the next month has holidays and tests and will go by fast. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE (you know who I mean).
