Parents
Thank you so much for your support for your kids this
summer, and for the support you'll be offering this season. As you know, we are
holding a first period class for our xc team for the first time ever. This
period is going to be a game changer for us. When it comes to training for a
5k, there is a lot of evidence that doing "double" runs in a day is
more beneficial than doing one longer run. Having this first period class will
enable us to have morning runs built into our training, rather than something that
some kids are able to do sometimes.
In the case of low volume runners, they will instead be
encouraged to have a bike at the school, and go for a ride rather than run on
some of the days. This will help their endurance and aerobic system, without
the impact on their legs. If you have a lower mileage athlete, they will need
to have a bike.
Fueling/Breakfasts
Another element that we have been emphasizing in our program
is what I call "fueling" - in other words, eating enough. I want our
kids to eat healthy, but, more importantly, eat enough. In many cases that is
an issue. It's crazy how many calories these kids burn just by living with a
high metabolism and with the mileage they put in. Fueling is a huge part of
performance, recovery, and injury prevention.
With our first period class, the kids arranging breakfast
for themselves afterwards can prove logistically difficult. In an effort to
remove that hurdle in the kids' lives, I'm asking you, the parents, to sign up
for a day to provide a breakfast for the team on each of our A day class
practices. This will allow our kids to fuel more effectively, and, frankly, be
a really cool bonding experience for the kids in the class, having breakfast
together every other day. Everyone I've pitched this idea too thinks it sounds
amazing, but will only work if you all are willing to take a day.
Basically you would bring breakfast to the school for the
team to enjoy after their run. We will have it in the cafeteria. We currently
have 60 people signed up for the class, but that will likely change a bit (in
either direction) before the first day.
I know I'm asking you to sacrifice even more time and money
than you already are, so please only sign up if you feel that you have the
means and ability to make it happen. It is completely voluntary. The gratitude
of the kids and us coaches for your help will be immense.
Here is my vision for the class, and where you all will come
in with breakfast.
7:20 AM - class begins.
7:25 AM - easy run
8:00 AM - team breakfast - in the
school cafeteria.
8:30 AM - dismiss kids to go get
cleaned up, shower, change, etc.
8:45 PM - bell rings to go to MAPS
On Wednesdays we will start at 9:00 and have breakfast at
9:45.
If you are willing and able to provide a breakfast for the team, please sign up at the following link:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050F4AAEAD2CA3F49-50577265-xcclass
Obviously we ask that you prioritize the early days first so
that we can get those filled.
Class expectations
We are going to begin class with attendance beginning at
7:20. We have to start a hair early so that we can have time to run, eat, and
get cleaned up before the next class period.
Being in the class means that you are on the team, and are
expected to be at after school practices as well, which will be every day at
2:40. The after school practices on A day will be shorter than in the past due
to our morning runs. Practice will be between 1-2 hours on average.
I couldn't be more excited about what I think this period
will do for our team. It's going to be so beneficial for training, and for our
team culture.
As a class backed by the school, attendance is required. Not
attending/participating will result in negative grades and citizenship. To get
an A in the class, just show up and participate. Missing excessive class
periods or not participating in the workouts will negatively impact the grade
and citizenship. There will be a disclosure posted with more specifics next
week.
If you have any questions about the class or anything else,
please don't hesitate to reach out.
Coach Jacobson
