Chittenango and Ithaca

It has been a busy weekend so far here, and it's only half over. We've still got 2 nights of Tel Auc on tap for tonight and tomorrow. Last night (beginning at 4pm) Alex competed in the Chittenango Invitational. Last year it was on a Saturday, we're not sure why they moved it to Friday night. I think after what happened last night, they will be moving it back to Saturday... (more on that in a minute...)

Alex's first race was the 800 meter. He was shooting for under 2:00. He's never run it that fast before and it's been his goal for this year. He needed to break 2:00 to get to go to the Louck's Games in May.

Well, it was a great race. Alex broke that 2:00 mark and he placed 3rd overall. 

And as you can see by the scoreboard, he ran a 1:57. To qualify for states, all he has to do is shave off a second.

So then 4 hours later... when the sun went down, and the full moon was high in the sky, it was time for race #2. The 4x800 meter relay. The temps had dropped to 40 degrees. Nobody was prepared to be there that long. (It was 10:00 by the time he ran.) Liverpool placed 2nd overall in the relay.

And... 2 hours after this race, the meet was finally over. Yes, the meet ended at midnight. It took 8 very long and freezing cold hours. Which is why I think next year, we'll be back to Saturday for this one! We can only hope.

So then bright and early this morning, Alex and I (after about 6 hours of sleep), headed to GORGE-ous Ithaca to visit Ithaca College. It was a beautiful campus over-looking Cayuga Lake. If I had panned to the right a bit, you would have seen Cornell.

Alex really seemed to like the campus. He said he could see himself going there.

I really liked it as well. It's the perfect size (6k undergrads). And it's not too far from home. (65 miles)

There was an open house today in their brand-new athletic facility. We got a complimentary breakfast when we arrived and a very nice lunch after the tour was over. 

But this had to be the highlight. The new athletic facility houses a fabulous indoor track. I think that might have been Alex's favorite part of the campus. And why Ithaca College is now at the top of the list.