XC Running through a Pandemic

By Sarah Friedman-

Ida Crown’s cross country team has been running and completing challenges over the course of COVID-19.  Ezra Jaffe, one of the coaches of the team , explains the great measures that he has taken in order to keep the team running and happy. “It’s been challenging getting the team ready for the 2020 XC season.  We have tried to have an all school virtual 5k race, but the school had some concerns over peer pressure this could create.  We have been unable to do distance team conditioning drills over the spring. . . but both Coach Hunter and I have been communicating with team members and encouraging them to run.”  

Coach Jaffe and Coach Hunter’s efforts to the team can be seen through the words of freshman Rena Neiger who has been posting her runs to the team group chat since the spring of 2020.  “Being added to the cross country team group chat and being invited to the team has already made me feel like I am already in high school. . . it has made the transition seem less like a transition.”  

Other teammates have been posting their sweaty selfies, Map my run screenshots, and pictures of them running to the group chat.  Kayla Kupietzky, a sophomore on the team, has explained the benefits of the cheesecake and 100 mile challenges. “It is keeping us occupied and in shape during the pandemic.  I think that all of the challenges that we have done are going to make this year’s XC season so much stronger!”

In addition to the challenges and fun atmosphere of the team, Coach Dana Hunter explained the benefits of running in the unprecedented times.  She said, “Running is a fantastic way to get outside, keep moving, and stay healthy.  By setting up a few Sunday running challenges, more runners participated.  Sharing pictures, mileages, and times brought many people together.  Everyone was celebrating their accomplishments!  People were also running on their own, which was also really exciting!”  

Even though the XC team may not have had their ideal training locations during the pandemic, their times have improved, confidence has boosted, and their team has grown!  

****Although the schedule is changing constantly due to COVID-19, XC hopes to have a season full of mixed practices, long runs, and a few races in the fall!