What a difference course/weather/terrain makes on a time. One day it's 95 degrees, windy, hilly, and poor footing = 11:16 3000 (and it was even a little short). The other is 60 degrees, mostly flat, cement, and low wind = 18:00 5K (full distance)

18:00.1 5K on the sidewalk in front of the school this morning. Not on the track and not really a cross country course, but still at least had an up and down on each end. I thought she would be excited but she was pretty mad the number didn't start with a 17! #spartanpride Grundy Center

We don’t get to do enough of this with all the time Avery’s activities take up, but she’s off to a good start!

First time getting this with no one in the room to watch or help. She connects this to her fingers, with one row of 5 being one hand.

I never did the pacer test in school. Apparently it’s the best part of the school year. She got 132 today, which I hear is good. I only remember the sit and reach and not even being able to touch the thing to push it. A negative sit and reach score?

Thanks to the Johnston Running Club for getting a meet in today! Well organized! Only ended up being 2800, so the times are much better than they appear. First youth cross country meet for Avery. A lot to learn. How to start. When to pass. How to go across the small concrete with spikes. Very nervous. Probably her worst run in awhile but still did great. She’s convinced the boy who finished in front of her elbowed her so she couldn’t pass. We heard him say after the race that he wasn’t about to let a girl beat him, so now she really thinks that. I’m sure he didn’t elbow her, but I am excited that the bear has been poked 😂 sites.chronotrack.com/event/… Grundy Center #spartanpride

Kind of known for distance, but she's getting good at these 800s... PBs Age 11.08 3000 10:28.90 1600 5:25.40 1500 4:55.18 800 2:26.37<<<<<<<<2:30.12 400 1:11.53 XC 5K 18.21.4 Grundy Center #spartanpride

New 800 PR this morning PBs Age 11.047 3000 10:28.90 1600 5:25.40 1500 4:55.18 800 2:30.12<<<<<<<<2:33.44 400 1:11.53 5K 18.21.4 (XC) Grundy Center #spartanpride

Been trying once a week for a whole year to grab this doorway…

Fun surprise during my meeting this morning...Avery was at the track and broke in her new shoes with a PB in the 800 PBs Age 11.008 3000 10:28.90 1600 5:26.60 1500 4:55.18 800 2:33.44<<<<<<<<2:36.13 400 1:11.53 5K 18.21.4 (XC) Grundy Center #spartanpride

Fair enough. Lots of opinions out there. Just curious. Thanks!

If that is the logic, which is perfectly understandable, would the same logic apply to 7th or 6th or 5th graders?

Mary Grace is a star. Avery met her this summer and she was gracious enough to talk with her for a while after the race. Great runner and even better person.