By Sage Lyons for DyeStatFL

Hello, Everyone! Cross Country is about to start. Hope everyone has survived their Florida training? Ha ha!

This summer my team went to Brevard, NC. They ran trails and climbed up to 4,600 ft. The summer trips are always great bonding experiences. The Sarasota Girls Cross Country team goals are to make it back to the state meet and for everyone to make gains.

I went to a running camp in Crested Butte, Colorado this summer. I got to train in high elevation. It was definitely a new challenge. But running on mountains was awesome, and the weather was ideal. We took lots of ice baths right in the rivers- uh very chilly for us Florida kids! It was also awesome meeting runners from many different states. We had classes at camp too, and they made me realize some of my goals for this season. My goal is to PR. (obviously-ha!) Like everyone - right?

I would like to return to states also and hopefully PR on the Tallahassee course. I really love racing on that course. But I want to race strong in all my meets leading up to that one. Being a senior, I am planning on visiting some colleges! Really looking forward to that! For the rest of the summer my team has some practices left. I hope everyone had a great summer training and is ready to rock those PRs!!

I am getting really pumped up watching the Olympics - I'm sure you are too!

Here is a favorite quote from a famous Olympian:  "We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort" - Jesse Owens, USA Track & Field Gold Medalist.

See everyone out on the course!

Sage Lyons by the numbers:

800m – 2:24.24

1600m – 5:19.59

3200m – 11:49.84

5000m – 18:55.20