Another great season with kids has ended and two great trips in the process. I was prepared this year to all the work I needed to do and not be crazy during the season. To prepare I planned lessons well in advance and kept procrastination to a minimum. Still, coaching and student council is a lot and I am looking forward to having a little free time and more choices in my personal running time.
We had stellar students who really excelled this year in running and it was fun to see them compete and boast personal records throughout.
We went to Kanchanaburi in Thailand again for an invitational in September. Still rainy and muddy but better than last year as we knew what to expect – and there was less rain.
These are a few of the beautiful views on the long run before we left to fly back home.
It was great to run with all the kids and the coaches. We ran with some exceptional athletes, many of them triathletes so it was intimidating.
We had a few meets near our campus and our kids dominated the local races. It was great practice for them to see what they could do.
For APAC, we headed to Shanghai in October. I have flown into Shanghai before but took a train out of the city for a half marathon and did not have time to spend there. As this was a pretty tight trip with races and chaperoning, our only time to sight see was during the scavenger hunt.
Coaches stayed at the Ramada. A teddy bear and rubber ducky to await my arrival.
At the race at Bianjing park. The girls before the race.
The start of the boys race. It was a really fast race with many runners under 28 minutes for the 5k.
The start of the girls race. Another fast race.
After a rest and snack, students were separated into teams for a scavenger hunt. On the bus we ate lunch. For the hunt, there were clues to get to some notable sights in Shanghai near the river along a walkway called the Bund.
It refers to the outer bank (Huangpu River). This part of the riverfront is farther downstream than the inner bank area adjacent to the old walled city of Shanghai.
At each spot we completed a task and received a stamp.
1. The bull is actually found along Wall Street.
2. The people’s monument shows the history of China in the stories along the wall at its base. It is near Waibaidu bridge which is the oldest (did not get a picture.)
Our selfie task from this spot.
3. The Bund Mast.
4. At the finance center there is a building that looks like an organ.
5. Across the river you can see the Pearl Tower. This is a radio and TV tower.
The building in the middle is shaped liked a lotus on top.
Statue of Chen Yi, the first mayor of Shanghai.
We took a ferry across the river to collect stamps found on that side before we met for a snack and returning to the school.
6. Shanghai Tower.
The three tallest buildings on that side. The one on the left is known as the bottle opener building.
Standing in the middle of all three.
7. Lujiazhui green space near the the three tallest buildings. Students were not happy they had to do 10 burpees here!
Looking at the Pearl Tower from Isola restaurant in the IFC mall (4th floor). Lots of tired kids and adults!
Afterwards we went back to the hosting school, Concordia. What a beautiful school. We had a great dinner and awards ceremony. Meeting and talking with other coaches was great!