Ladies,
For the most part, the first month of summer is over. This brings us to the midpoint of the summer training cycle. Next week is dead week, and I cannot have any contact with you at all for the whole period of time. This is an IHSAA rule, and it's absolute. We will strictly adhere to this rule.
This does not mean you cannot meet with one another, nor that you shouldn't train. I would strongly suggest you keep running! I won't organize any practices, but endurance athletes must train constantly, so don't let this week undo the work you've done the first month of summer. Get out there and run some every day!
Tomorrow we are swimming. I thought this would be a nice way to head into break, and besides, you ladies have earned it. You truly have proved very dedicated to the sport, one another, and yourselves. It's what it takes to be great!
This week we've touched on the head, that is, the things you think about while you are running and racing. At the highest levels of any sport, it's the head that ultimately makes the difference. Those that can conquer their doubt and fear can rise above temporary pain and overcome. Those that are acutely aware of their surroundings and what is going on see opportunity faster and can make the split-second decision that may choose the winner. Sure, running is about the feet, but it is equally about the head.
I could make an outrageous analogy... think of animals that hunt in the wild, such as wolves or lions. Only the immature ones lunge at the first herbivore they see. The experienced hunters wait, watch, and look for weakness. They wait for the perfect opportunity, or in the case of pack hunters, create the situation they want. When the moment comes they are decisive.
You have to be like that. Think like a hunter, try to understand the psychology of a weakening runner, and how you can use that to your advantage. Look for signs that tell you someone is hurting. Learn how to hide your weakness signals. Project strength, always.
For those of you who missed it the other day, when the first group finished the Indian Run, we waited at an intersection. I'd been talking about race thinking, and the perfect opportunity to illustrate ran by. It was a guy, probably about 25 or so, and he was running right by our group. I let him pass and then asked the group how they might tell he wouldn't run very far. Some guessed clothing, but mostly the group had nothing. So what was the sign? He was running with an iPhone in his right hand. No real runner would ever run on a muggy summer morning with an iPhone in their hand. The sweat would ruin it in no time.
As I pointed this out, the man abruptly stopped running.
There is actually more to the picture. A guy that age would never walk past a group of girl runners. That would look weak, and no guy would want to look weak in front of such a group. However, a guy can only suck his gut in for so long, and sooner or later he would have to stop, which he did.
This is all rambling, but what I'm trying to point out is you have to be alert at all times, because situations that favor you during racing are fleeting, and you have to be ready when they happen. If you are observant you can see things you can use in about any race you ever run.
For the most part, the first month of summer is over. This brings us to the midpoint of the summer training cycle. Next week is dead week, and I cannot have any contact with you at all for the whole period of time. This is an IHSAA rule, and it's absolute. We will strictly adhere to this rule.
This does not mean you cannot meet with one another, nor that you shouldn't train. I would strongly suggest you keep running! I won't organize any practices, but endurance athletes must train constantly, so don't let this week undo the work you've done the first month of summer. Get out there and run some every day!
Tomorrow we are swimming. I thought this would be a nice way to head into break, and besides, you ladies have earned it. You truly have proved very dedicated to the sport, one another, and yourselves. It's what it takes to be great!
This week we've touched on the head, that is, the things you think about while you are running and racing. At the highest levels of any sport, it's the head that ultimately makes the difference. Those that can conquer their doubt and fear can rise above temporary pain and overcome. Those that are acutely aware of their surroundings and what is going on see opportunity faster and can make the split-second decision that may choose the winner. Sure, running is about the feet, but it is equally about the head.
I could make an outrageous analogy... think of animals that hunt in the wild, such as wolves or lions. Only the immature ones lunge at the first herbivore they see. The experienced hunters wait, watch, and look for weakness. They wait for the perfect opportunity, or in the case of pack hunters, create the situation they want. When the moment comes they are decisive.
You have to be like that. Think like a hunter, try to understand the psychology of a weakening runner, and how you can use that to your advantage. Look for signs that tell you someone is hurting. Learn how to hide your weakness signals. Project strength, always.
For those of you who missed it the other day, when the first group finished the Indian Run, we waited at an intersection. I'd been talking about race thinking, and the perfect opportunity to illustrate ran by. It was a guy, probably about 25 or so, and he was running right by our group. I let him pass and then asked the group how they might tell he wouldn't run very far. Some guessed clothing, but mostly the group had nothing. So what was the sign? He was running with an iPhone in his right hand. No real runner would ever run on a muggy summer morning with an iPhone in their hand. The sweat would ruin it in no time.
As I pointed this out, the man abruptly stopped running.
There is actually more to the picture. A guy that age would never walk past a group of girl runners. That would look weak, and no guy would want to look weak in front of such a group. However, a guy can only suck his gut in for so long, and sooner or later he would have to stop, which he did.
This is all rambling, but what I'm trying to point out is you have to be alert at all times, because situations that favor you during racing are fleeting, and you have to be ready when they happen. If you are observant you can see things you can use in about any race you ever run.
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