Day 4

I could not attend practice this morning, but Coach Houck said that the sixty-minute long run was good. We still got our mileage--12 to 13, and many looked comfortable achieving that number. This was a recovery day compared to the intense regimen of the previous two days.

I anticipate a good fun run tomorrow, as we are doing fartleks. Google this word if you don't know what we're up to. Hint: It is in the sentence!

Day 3

A very good day, again. The top runners ran around 12 to 13 miles at a very high level. We did 15x400m with 1:30 rest between for the varsity boys, and less from there on down. I have to say that they are getting accustomed to the mileage and the expectations. And as always, they blend very well together--a solid testament to the program and the leadership from the seniors.

Tomorrow will be a long recovery run to rest up for the time trial on Saturday. I have very high hopes that we'll see some surprises. We always do.

Day 2

You have to be impressed with the numbers. All sorts of numbers. Some of our runners put up 13 miles today when combining all running we did. Some a little less, but not much. It is easy to see who put in the miles over the off season to prepare for the in season. The effort was there today.

Quote of the Day

Here it is:

Winning has nothing to do with racing. Most days don't have races anyway. Winning is about struggle and effort and optimism, and never, ever, ever giving up.

Amby Burfoot, The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life

First Day Done

Okay team, here's your chance. I'm still thinking about a team motto. We've had "Never, never, never quit" and "Just Believe" the last two seasons. What are your ideas for this season?

Also, our first day of practice was adequate. I'm not thrilled with the little mileage we ran today, but that is my fault. We will increase as appropriate the rest of this week. I hope to see improvement.

We need runners. All levels other than varsity boys need numbers. Help.

A New Season: The Journey Begins

On August 15th, we will embark on the next step in our journey. To what is it we are reaching? I tell you this. It is much easier to reach than you might imagine. Do we want to win team titles? Sure. Do we want to win individual races and medals? Yes. Absolutely. But it is not those things that makes you a champion. It is not that, I tell you.

To have success, you have to be able to look in the mirror and look that person in the eye and be satisfied. You have given your body, yes, your mind, yes. But more importantly, your spirit. Your heart, your vitality and energy, your commitment. It is not the glory of winning that makes you a champion, but the knowledge that the mirror gives you.

I encourage you to commit yourself to becoming the student-athlete that you are most capable of becoming. Please define winner differently. Did you commit, then achieve?

See you all on August 15th, 8am to 11am. A new journey begins.

Out-Run Cancer Run

I write this the day before our 7th Annual Out-Run Cancer run benefiting MMC's Yolanda Barco Oncology Institute. We've raised over $5000 for cancer research over the years. I hope to add a significant addition to that tomorrow. Our runners give so much back, it is truly awesome to behold! We'll see how it goes tomorrow.