Ladies,
It's here! The season has officially begun, (yes, that's grammatically correct). It's 13 weeks until State, 12 until Semi-State, 11 until Regional, around 10 until Sectional, 8 until Conference... you get the idea. We have had 9 weeks of summer training, and that flew by. You can bet this time will too.
Let me thumbnail this season for you as I see it... bear in mind I've not spoken to Coach Jo or Coach Amy about this yet, and my thought process may easily change. At least I can relate my logic as to how I construct a competitive season...
First, the goal race. If our primary goal as a team every year is to progress as far into State Series as possible (and that is our goal), then I must build the training around the choke point - that place in the series I believe where it's do-or-die. That's an easy call... Regional. We're too strong a team even in our tough bracket to get put out at Sectional, but as we know, we can get put out at Regional.
Back 2 weeks off that point for taper. Yes, we'll do a 2-week taper, because our base is very good.
Back 6-8 weeks off that point for speed work.
Back 2 more weeks off that point for hill workouts.
See where that puts us? That's right, that's the outline of our season right there. It might have seemed odd doing organized hill repeats so early, but you should now see why it was done. Those of you that ran practice today can really see why it was done - our course is pretty tough when you're not used to hills! Don't worry, it'll come back quickly.
The pattern established over the last few weeks of having primary and secondary stress days will continue throughout the season. Before the meets start they will both occur in practice. After the meets start, one stress day will be racing, the other will be a workout.
This would be an excellent time to review some team rules:
It's here! The season has officially begun, (yes, that's grammatically correct). It's 13 weeks until State, 12 until Semi-State, 11 until Regional, around 10 until Sectional, 8 until Conference... you get the idea. We have had 9 weeks of summer training, and that flew by. You can bet this time will too.
Let me thumbnail this season for you as I see it... bear in mind I've not spoken to Coach Jo or Coach Amy about this yet, and my thought process may easily change. At least I can relate my logic as to how I construct a competitive season...
First, the goal race. If our primary goal as a team every year is to progress as far into State Series as possible (and that is our goal), then I must build the training around the choke point - that place in the series I believe where it's do-or-die. That's an easy call... Regional. We're too strong a team even in our tough bracket to get put out at Sectional, but as we know, we can get put out at Regional.
Back 2 weeks off that point for taper. Yes, we'll do a 2-week taper, because our base is very good.
Back 6-8 weeks off that point for speed work.
Back 2 more weeks off that point for hill workouts.
See where that puts us? That's right, that's the outline of our season right there. It might have seemed odd doing organized hill repeats so early, but you should now see why it was done. Those of you that ran practice today can really see why it was done - our course is pretty tough when you're not used to hills! Don't worry, it'll come back quickly.
The pattern established over the last few weeks of having primary and secondary stress days will continue throughout the season. Before the meets start they will both occur in practice. After the meets start, one stress day will be racing, the other will be a workout.
This would be an excellent time to review some team rules:
- Practice is required. We will practice 6-days a week, Monday-Saturday. Practice will last no longer than 2 hours, usually less than 1 1/2 (especially if you are dressed and stretched by the time I get there). If you can't make it, contact one of the coaches.
- You must wear a shirt at all times while practicing. No jog bra-only running, no exceptions.
- No drinking, smoking, or abusing drugs. There will be immediate punitive actions, including and up to expulsion from the team.
- You are students first, athletes second. Grades must be maintained.
- You are ambassadors for our school wherever you are. Behave as such.
- You will respect the rights and property of every member of this team. There is no room for bullying.
Other things to clarify:
- The top-7 runners at meet time run Varsity, all others run JV event.
- I don't know who the top-7 runners are right now.
- Any team member that completes the season doing all the practices as asked will receive Varsity points.
- Only the top-7 runners and 2 alternates run after State Series begins.
To sum this up, complete the season doing what I ask and Varsity points are guaranteed. However, you have to earn the privilege to run in Conference and State Series. You MUST be running one of the top-7 fastest times, or be in the next 2 times as alternates, to be considered.
This is something to remember every single step of practice... you all want one of those spots. You all have a chance to earn one. Give it all you have every day, and your odds of winning a spot really go up. Even if you don't succeed, you'll never look back and regret actions undone.
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