HS Bloggers: Kirstin Sandreuter Greely HS #2

Follow Greely HS distance star Kirstin Sandreuter as she blogs about her senior xc season. Sandreuter was the Class B state runner-up last fall, and is the top returner in 2013. See what it takes to be one of the top distance runners in New England.

 

 

Happy August! I hope everyoneʼs been enjoying the beautiful running weather recently.

The past few weeks have brought plenty more excitement to my summer, including a great time at Acadian Running Camp! This was my second year attending, and I once again relished the opportunity to train on the beautiful, expansive trails of the national park while getting to know runners from tons of different teams. I think the coolest part of the whole experience is the fact that close and positive relationships are formed with the people youʼll be competing against during the racing season... it always reminds me how awesome it is to be part of such a talented, supportive athletic community!

Iʼve also had the chance to mix a bit of racing into the long, steady mileage of summer. First off was the Clam Festival 5 Miler in the middle of July, a historically sweltering event which delivered a healthy dose of sunshine, heat and humidity per usual. But the run was enjoyable regardless, especially since lots of my friends and family members joined in for the first time ever or considerably improved their times from past years (congrats to Emma Mason on a 3 -minute PR!!).

The most recent highlight of my summer so far was last weekendʼs Beach-to-Beacon. Though Joan Benoit Samuelsonʼs famous 10k is always an incredible event, I think the combination of perfect running weather, an especially enthusiastic crowd and the amazing opportunity to line up in the elite starting box made this race the most memorable of the 3 Iʼve run so far! It was definitely surreal to warm up in the same area as athletes I never thought Iʼd see outside the pages of Runnerʼs World, as well as a huge field of local talents Iʼve admired growing up as a runner in Maine. The race itself was fantastic -- my favorite moment was mounting the last hill before Fort Williams Park and trying my hardest to catch Emily Durgin, just as the skies started letting down cool, steady rain and some spirited spectators blasted out Pirates of the Carribean music from the sidelines! Afterward, I was thrilled to snag a couple impromptu iPhone shots with Meb(Thanks, Mrs. Madeira!) and Deena Kastor :) The day was capped off with some well-deserved family time, just relaxing at Crescent Beach... a shout-out to my Mom and Dad who both ran their first Beach-to-Beacons this year!

Hopefully all are enjoying incredible summers, staying happy and healthy in training, and getting excited for everything this XC season has in store :) Now get out there and run!