XC - Hong Kong Style

Running...

Running has been a central focus in our family for the last 4 years,

since Logan first joined the Cross Country team.

Cross Country is NOT just a 'sport',

it is a lifestyle.

There is no 'season' for running Cross Country really.

They train all year.

Usually, 6 days a week.

During the Fall, 

the days and hours of training 

are tested and hopefully rewarded in the form of XC Meets.

Logan loves to run,

as does Krystin.

In California, the coaches are as dedicated as the athletes.

Often times MORE.

The kids are trained, guided, and pushed to reach maximum potential.

Sports in the US are important.

I didn't realize that it wasn't so everywhere.

In Hong Kong,

Sports are not part of the school curriculum.

They are extra on the side.

It has taken a bit of adjusting to this mindset.

Logan and Krystin both have VERY heavy academic schedules.

Without sports they are lucky to get 5 hours of sleep a night,

due to endless homework/studying....

But, they love running.

They LOVE their sport,

so they joined the XC team (club) out here.

They only meet/practice 2 x week w/the club

(instead of the 6 back home).

The practices are nothing like home either,

which puts a greater responsibility on them 

to practice interdependently.

Which is VERY HARD with no sleep and so much work...

But, they are great people and hard workers,

so they TRY!

Well, finally they had their first XC meet.

For some reason, the XC meet schedule has been off this year,

we were told. Usually, they have a meet a week.

This is unusual to just have their first meet.

It was said to be with the fastest schools out here.

XC meets are different out here, 

and they include Junior High age as well.

They seem so DISORGANIZED!!

Maybe it was just this one...

Anyhow, on to their first XC meet!

Kayla and I made the hour plus journey to Lo and KC's school.

They didn't have any info as to where or when the meet was.

All they knew was that they were leaving together as a group,

as soon as school was out.

So.  Of course, Kay and I were there 30 mins early.

Which, btw, did I mention it was very HOT yesterday?

By the time we got to the school and sat I was so hot.

Some shots of the school, as kids were getting out,

while we were sitting on a bench waiting.

That is Krystin walking away

 Krystin in her natural environment. :)

 Ok.  

So, we have established I have NO CLUE where the meet is,

or when they run.

Kids don't have a clue either.

Everyone is supposed to leave together.

Team is getting ready to walk out of the school and head to ????

and Logan is NO where to be seen!!!

Apparently, Logan's teacher kept them late.

Luckily, Logan answered his phone when I called and hustled over to the gate.

He didn't have time to change into his racing clothes though.

The whole gang marched out to the street.

I thought the meet was walking distance, that's what the kids understood.

 Yah.  He is cute.  Silly guy almost missed the race.

 We end up walking to this tiny little bus.

Luckily, there were a couple extra seats for a Mommy and a Kay.

 I had the trolley with me, 

and had to literally lift it sideways over everyone's heads to get to the back.

 So hot. My face was poofy...  cute.

 Luckily, Logan is not overly modest and was fine changing in the bus.

 Krystin thought that was funny!

 The view was beautiful along the drive.

 We arrived in an area of HK that I have never seen before.

 It was beautiful.

 The younger runners did Monkey impersonations.  LOL

We enjoyed view, 

aside from being HOT and eaten by mosquitoes.

(Krystin is especially yummy even with ANY type of repellent)

The water front went on forever!

After sitting there for about 30 mins and NO other schools were insight,

it was realized we were at the wrong end of the harbor...  OOPS!

So confusing.

So far that we couldn't even see the other side where we needed to be,

and races were starting...

So.  The almost 20 kids, coach, Kay and I had to catch cabs.

Wow, that was interesting 

(confused cab driver, even though we had a canto speaker in the car), 

and caused a bit of chaos with the races.

All-in-all, we all made it!

Since, we were late, they combined a few races to make sure everyone could race.

 The coach trying to make sense of the chaos.

Logan contemplating his strategy.  

 A few of the older running kids.

Eagle butts

XC rules are different here too.

They have the kids split by age, not grade.

Under 16 (14-16) run 4K

Under 20 (16-20) run a 6K

Krystin was stoked, she has always run a 5K,

and since her birthday isn't until next month she is in the 4K category.

She was all psyched up for her first 4K.

Then, they combined the races and U16 & U20 and had them run a 5K.

Well, that is the only race she has really known, so ....

 Ready...  Set...

 Go!!!

 Can't complain about the view while they ran.

Although, I heard the areas where they ran on sand were a bit intense.

 Hi Kayla!

 The path back to the track

While Krystin was off racing,

The boys teams were getting ready to go.

Run that way! LOL

Ready

 Set

 GOOOO!!!!

 They do a lap then run up some steps on their way to the beach, odd.

 and wave at the people in the houses

This is where the runners come cruising back in.

Three naughty little boys that were up to no good.

YAY!! KRYSTIN!!!

 She came in 7th overall for the U20 & U16,

we don't have her official place yet for U16!

Either way, a SUPER performance!

Amazing!

Shortly after....

Logan came cruising around the corner!

 Ok.  This kid has been so busy he has hardly trained at all.

Really.  Maybe run a couple times a week.

 I was going to be happy if he finished the race.

As he was coming in to the home stretch he was in third.

Then he hit his turbo boosters.

Gained at least 100 meters on this kid,

 and easily grabbed 2nd place overall.

 Apparently, setting a new record for AIS.

And the crowd went wild.

 Can you imagine if he actually was training?

 These are the top three boys. 

Logan 2nd, guy in 3rd, and the 1st place winner.

I have to say, the guy that took first seems awesome.

As he was rounding the home stretch,

I yelled, "Great JOB!" 

He responded, "Thank you!" while running.

I have never in 4 years had that happen, ha!

Another highlight of the evening.

Kayla did the cool down run with Krystin,

in flip-flops and a dress.

Made me smile.

It was a great race, chaos or not!

I was SO thankful to be able to be there!

I really have been in Cross Country Meet withdrawal!

I sure love my kids.  

After the meet, we met Todd downtown and had burgers for dinner to reminisce old times!  (: