Notes
Ran with Caleb after the banquet. Nailed Caleb's intro with Sam.
One thing that I will really miss when Caleb isn’t here happens during our monsters. These go on for around 40-55 minutes once a week after workouts. I’ll be doing the monster minding my own, and all of sudden I just hear my name being shouted. And almost every time, it’s Caleb, doing the eagle stretch. For those of you that don’t know what the eagle stretch is, I’ll just let you use your imagination.
We all know that Caleb is a speed demon on the course and track, but Caleb is fast at other things too. He can do what takes most people 10 minutes in less than 45 seconds. We do almost all of our interval workouts out a cedar bend. I remember vividly this one particular workout. It was last fall, Casey, Caleb, and I were in a group together, and the workout was 8 thresh 1k reps, or something like that. After each rep we had 45 seconds rest. Around the 5th or 6th one, Caleb ‘s stomach was hurting pretty bad. We get done with the rep and Caleb just immediately pulls off into the woods and shouting, “don’t wait up, start without me if you need to!” Casey and I thought for sure that we would be doing this next rep without Caleb. But low and behold, we turn around to get ready for the next rep and Caleb is right there beside us.
Caleb is one of the hardest workers I know. He is so good because he does all the little things. He eats a superb diet, that is, until the offseason is near. Last May after last chance Caleb and I trained until he got his wisdom teeth pulled. That last week of running both of us were guilty of using the infamous “coast” to eat whatever we pleased. We would both see a dessert or cheesy dish that looked really good, we would take one look at each other, say “We coasting!” and then help ourselves to multiple servings. This even happen this past weekend after Grand Valley, we had Howie’s pizza, and ate junk food the whole way home, because we were “Coasting.”
Gosh I am going to miss being a Cross Boy with Caleb. When I’m over at Kylie’s and I crack a typical cross boy joke like, “I barely know her!” or I joke about a certain fermented cabbage, or say Yeah, yeah Mask go on da face! I usually get a disappointed look from Kylie. Usually what happens is later on I tell Caleb the joke, and we both laugh hysterically wondering why no one else thinks that is funny. when I’m with Caleb, he gets me. He understands the ultra-rare language that is, cross boy.
Caleb has a ton of strengths, but people sometimes forget about a few weaknesses he has. His biggest weakness, cornbread muffins. If you see cornbread muffins on the Mensa Menu you can sure as heck bet that Caleb will be sitting back in Narnia with about 3 or 4, maybe even 5 muffins. And when he gets up to go to class, he’ll probably snag a few more and put them in his pocket to eat in class later on.
Bottom line, I think we can all agree that this program would not be where it is today without Caleb. He has given so much to this program. Caleb would be just as valued by everyone if he were 13:30 5ker or 20 minute 5ker. The attributes this guy bring to this team go way beyond what he can do on the course. The last couple years Caleb went from being a teammate to my best friend. I wouldn’t trade any of the experiences I’ve had with Caleb for anything. I’m going to miss the 6 am runs, grinding through some tough workouts, and simply broing out with the guy. I am so glad I got to live with him this past summer. Caleb, we are all going to miss you without a doubt. Without furtherado, Caleb Appleton.