It’s 6:45. The alarm goes off. It takes a second to realize where I am. I’m not used to waking up in this bed. My dad’s up too. Up for good? Or waiting to steal my bed back when I leave? Either way it’s nice to have someone see me off.

There’s a split second I’m worried the car won’t start. It doesn’t get a lot of use. The windows are opaque and dirty. A few wipes from my sweatshirt helps enough to get things off the ground. Then it’s open road.

I’ve saved a podcast for my drive. Bill Simmons. I’m only about 65% engaged. The other 35% is inside my own head. That’s typically where you find me. It strikes me that my most important Hershey appearances have been as a blogger, not a runner. I was never a state qualifier. I just talk about them.

I pull up to a toll booth. No EZ pass in my grandma’s old whip. I give the guy my slip. He doesn’t say how much I owe, so I just give him a $20. I start to judge him. Seems unfriendly. Hates his job. But he sees my Oregon sweatshirt and strikes up a conversation. Asks about their football jerseys. We have a good talk. Now I’ve got a different opinion. Lonely job. Nicer than a lot of other toll boothers. He reminds me that you have to be careful if you judge without the full story. And now I’m back on my blogging …

9 bucks for parking. I suppose that’s not too bad. I just paid over 100 for Sixers tickets. I get out and walk around. Headphones in. No more podcasts. Now it’s just music. I walk in obscurity. The sweatshirt conceals my etrain swagger and my secret identity. I do my Bane impression inside my head. Nobody cared who I was until I put on the shirt …

It feels awkward being here. I feel old. I walk around the course, checking the conditions. I walk around the tents, looking for a few coaches I would like to finally meet in person. Bear Claws is playing on my iPhone. I like that song.

By the first boys race, I’ve put together a plan for spectating. I take pride in my efforts to see lots of different points of any race I watch. Naturally, I skip the start. It’s overrated. I’ve got the first long bend, the first significant uphill. The first significant downhill. Two miles. Finish.

I try not to run too much. I’ve gotten more self-conscious about my odd running form as I’ve aged. Although I think that’s because I’ve gotten slower. Not because I’ve gotten older. Running or walking, I still get there in time for what I want to see. You can tell Forsythe has it at mile two. Penns Valley looks like they are slipping for a moment. But at the finish it’s clear that was an aberration. Race one holds form.

By now, Garrett is here. I speak for the first time since the toll booth. I’m welcomed into the Great Valley tent. Things are starting to feel right again. My confidence is up a bit. Zat is a good hype man. I notice his new Stride Report shirt. It’s pretty dope. He’s modest about his growing site, but he’s excited. I remember those days. I’m happy for him. He’s worked hard for this.

The talk runs over into my AA prep time. I’m a little late to my spots, but I quickly get the gist. Dan Beck fills me in. It’s the Isaac Davis show. Team race should be interesting. I go everywhere, but the score is never obvious. I’m watching Dallas and Harbor Creek. I can’t count more than that. It feels like a lot of Wyomissing guys are going by, but it’s hard to say. Some bib numbers are covering the jerseys. I can’t quite see the W. Oh well, I’ve been wrong before.

One race to go. I’ll have company for this one. The first checkpoint is more crowded than any race before. A ton of LaSalle alumni are here. Even some from my generation. They weren’t here last year. They know what’s at stake. Meanwhile, I’ve forgotten Upper Dublin even has a runner in the race.

It looks like LaSalle is out well. All 7 guys. They’ve got an army. CR North is in the mix. I forget to even pick out DT West from the crowd. I’m seeing some faces for the first time. Piecing jerseys together with past performances on a piece of paper. But man is this race about more than a piece of paper.

North looks good at the finish. LaSalle may not have that second front runner. But I’m only about 35% engaged. I’ve actually got someone to cheer for in AAA. That excitement distracts me. It’s not until I’ve restocked my supply of etrain shirts that I even remember there was a state title up for grabs.

Another tie. My mind jumps right to 2011. Almost an identical score. History repeats itself. But this time LaSalle avenges the O’Hara loss. It’s poetry. Although I learned I have to be careful with that word. It can be used against me.

I assume that will be it. The races are over. The Zatlins are gone. I’m alone again. I trek over to the awards. Just a few things left to say before I’m gone. Little did I know what I had waiting for me.

Lots of kind words. Lots of handshaking. Lots of pictures. At one point, there’s three teams worth of a crowd around me like I’m standing on a stage. I wish I had something better to say. Maybe I’m just meant to speak through words on an internet page. I’d like to connect more. Show everybody what their support means. When someone is says how they are excited to read their name on my site, I share their sentiment. I’m excited they read (their name on) my site.

I feel like I always remember the answers on the drive home. Yes, we did/do have a writer who goes to Penn. I forgot. That’s my bad. With my free time, I’ll probably try and really dig in on my book. I don’t think “I thought you’d be taller” is really a question. Yes, I’m real, I’m just glad all of you are real too. I guess not all the views are from people looking for a map of the E subway train.

Of course, that makes it sound like it was all a disaster. But it was an amazing experience. The only reason I’ve lasted this long is because of the readers and it was nice to have a reminder of who exactly those people are. Because, in case you forgot, this sport is about more than performances on a piece of paper.

A lot of people asked me if this was it. Would this really be the last year? I think I answered them all the same way. If I didn’t, I meant to. I’m pretty sure this is it. This will be my last year of cross country coverage.

But like I said-I’ve been wrong before.

Thank you everyone so much for your support and congrats to all on your accomplishments this season. Recaps coming later this week, a brief break for other stuff, regionals coverage and then we have track left together before I hang it up. Looking forward to the rest of the year.