Phoenix,
We had a really fun first week of practices, and it was good to meet so many new faces. It seemed we had about half new people and half returners for a bunch of the practices. Love to see it. We also had a very successful first day of "pickleball heat training." We'll try to do those weekly so pull up if you can.
There is a lot of info here. First, the importance of being at practice consistently when you're in town. There is a bit about the track camp that we're hosting this next week, mileage reporting, help for transportation for the xc camp, and a t shirt order.
Going forward, I know there will be a lot of scheduling conflicts with various camps and vacations that you have. Do what you can to make sure that you are still running. Drag your parents along with you when you can't go out and about alone.
Too often we say things like, "oh I hiked today, so that counts." It doesn't count (lol). Hiking is good, and you totally should go do that, but it simply does not replace running. Get your run in. Hike afterwards, bike afterwards, play pickleball afterwards, DO all those things, but do it in addition to your running. That is where you'll see the most return on investment, and will make this experience more rewarding.
The first key to our team getting to where we want to be is very simple: be at practice. If you are home, take care of business so you can be at practice. Don't go to bed late causing you to oversleep. Don't find excuses. Do set a functional alarm. Commit to being there, and the rest will be easy.
That said, if you're travelling, do what you can to get a run in. We recognize there will be days and weeks where some of you will be gone. Totally understandable.
There will be days when you don't get a run in. Life happens. Minimize those days, but beyond that, if you miss a day, that's it. Do not add yesterday's miles into today's miles. We're not going back in time and loading up a few days to make sure we hit our weekly mileage goals. That's a quick way to injury, and slow way to improvement.
Jr. PHX Track Camp
This next week
The Junior Phoenix Track Camp will be Thursday, Friday (from 9-11 AM) and Saturday from 8-10 or 11).
This is a fundraiser for our team, and we make a decent amount. We will have 5 stations for the kids to rotate through, and in each station we will teach them basic skills related to track, namely Distance, Sprints, Hurdles, Throws, and Jumps.
We could use everyone's help to make sure it goes smoothly. There are almost 100 kids who have signed up, so we will divide them into groups. Those who come help will help at one of the stations, and generally help the kids have a good time.
On Saturday it will be a mini meet for the kids. We'll get the timing system out and have the kids race in several events. It will be a lot of fun.
Mileage reporting
This year we are asking athletes to report their mileage each week. This will help us when we plan workouts specific to each athlete. It will also help hold everyone accountable. Your reports will only be viewed by your coaches.
Each week we will have a new form to fill out. Here is the one for this week: week 1 mileage reporting
XC Camp help
We're going to need help with transportation for the xc camp. If you're son or daughter is attending, and you'd be willing to drive a group there or back, will you please send me an email?
The dates are 7/24-27. We'd be leaving the afternoon of 7/24 and returning the morning of 7/27.
Again, athletes, if you'd like to attend, please fill out this form.
T shirt order
We'll be ordering shirts for everyone who participates and pays for summer xc. Please fill out this form indicating your shirt size.
Weekly Schedule
