Sunday, June 29, 2014

Camp Update

Okay here are the main things we need worked out THIS WEEK - which means by Thursday, since we don't have practice Friday.
Remainder of Payment - your final payment for camp is due.  The total is $85, so whatever you owe, you need to finish off paying.
Rides - we need to finish out our rides (we have three school suburbans - we need rides for 20 more athletes up and back from camp).  Parents are more than welcome to come and stay with us throughout camp or for part, I just need to know ASAP who can give rides and how many can fit in vehicles.

Week 4 - How Do I Have a Life With All This Running?!

Another solid week in the bag… can you believe we are moving into July and have one month of practice down?!  Some of you have really been working hard and used the most of this summer to become a better runner; others, maybe we are missing a bit too much, not getting each run in, or struggling to balance all the aspects of our life.
So… I want you to take a look at this article about Josh Ward a runner from Davis.  In this article, Josh talks about how he balances a very busy schedule (70 hours of work a week!) with getting in his runs.  One of the main things I take from athletes like Josh is the setting of priorities.  This is what we talked about in practice this week with our Green Sheets talking about priorities.  We all have many things happening in life and many of them are great - especially running!  So how do we get our runs in we we work, have church activities, have family events, chores, vacations and all that other stuff?  The answer really is PRIORITIZE!  What do you need to move around to get all of these things in?  Is the answer to wake up earlier and get a chore done?  Do I need to spend a little less time texting to get to bed on time so I can get up?  Whatever it is for you… do it!  Do it, so you can get to practice.
A runner I know won a race this winter and one of her prizes was a block with an inspiration quote thing on it that said, "Somewhere someone who is busier than you is running!"  I really think this is true.  Everyone is very busy.  The true champions - the ones who want PR's, the ones who want Region and State Titles, the ones who want to become the very best they can be - are out running when they should be and taking care of things that get in the way so they can.
As a whole I think our team is doing very good at this; let's keep it up!  We are seeing great things happening for our team.

A few quick words about next week:
(or the end of this coming week) - No team practice on the 4th of July.  Meet together, race, whatever… but get your run in.
Then next week we have our UHSAA mandated "no coach week".  This doesn't mean there isn't practice or you don't need to run.  The workouts are posted, many of you will be meeting together; get your runs in.
Because of this, there is't Kids Club on the 8th of July - we'll tell everyone this Tuesday, but please spread the work around.

Athlete of the Week - Week 3

Alex Hill and Josie Bushar were chosen as our Athletes of the Week for our 3rd week of the season.  Following the standard we have set with our first two weeks, Alex and Josie have both been doing a great job at not only getting their runs in (where they are showing amazing improvements), but also filling out their Week Reports, Heart-Rate Tracking, and all the other things that make you have a successful summer.
Alex Hill, a Freshman, is one of the top Freshman ever to come through PV.  One of his goals is to make Varsity this season.  Although this will be a very difficult thing to accomplish, Alex is running very well and doing all of the things he needs to to make this goal a reality.  He is a great example of setting a high standard for himself and going after it.  We look forward to many great years of running from Alex.
Josie Bushar is a Sophomore in her 2nd year of XC.  Through last year, Josie showed great dedication and improvement in her running.  This summer she is coming out of the first month of the season in better shape than ever and really looks to be one of our top runners.  She has a great attitude and spreads that to everyone on the team.
Congrats to Josie and Alex and keep up the good work!

Sunday, June 22, 2014

Week 3 - RRR!

Week 3 closes out our strongest week this summer.  Not only did we achieve our highest minutes total this summer, we had our largest group to Friday's run, and we had GREAT weather!
I think it is very important that we think of the 3 R's that Coach Roberts talked to us about on Monday - Run, Record, Recruit.  Each of these R's plays a vital role in our program.

Run: Obviously we need to be running!  So each of us needs to ask, "How am I doing on running today?"  Am I getting up to get to practice each morning?  If so, great… If not, what is getting in the way of that?  Not enough sleep, being lazy, feeling like you aren't fitting in?  Whatever it is, you need to figure it out and decide how you can address the issue - it all comes down commitment and wanting to make yourself and your team better.  To tell you the truth, my biggest difficulty is sleep.  I love sleep!  So waking up early each morning to run is tough for me.  So what gets me out of bed?  You!  The team.  I know that the team counts on me to be there and looks to my example.  Hopefully these could be things that get you out to practice too because each of you are an important part of this team and we need you there and want you there.

Record:  The Week Report… What is it's purpose?  For you: tracking your progress, setting goals, figuring out why you are doing well or maybe struggling.  For the coaches: tracking your progress and goals, creating your workouts, determining what is helping you or setting you back.   And the same goes for your Heart Rate Tracking!

Recruit:  The whole purpose of this is to increase our good times!  If you are having fun, wouldn't you want others to have fun too?  Quit being so selfish and share the fun!

So let me sum all this up with our team's goal from this week - 8000 minutes.  8000 minutes should be very easy to get with over 60 people on our team.  So did we get it?  Yes and No… we easily were over 8000 minutes - as a team we were probably well over 12000 minutes; but many missed a run or two, we haven't gotten as many recruits out as we should; and we probably had just over half of our runs recorded.  So… did we get out goal? Nope… we ended up 22 minutes short.  Bummer!  Let's commit to the 3R's and go get it this coming week!  

Athlete of the Week - Week 2

Congrats to Meskerem Stucki and Spencer Rodack on earning the Athlete of the Week for Week 2.
Meskerem came to our team at the end of the XC season nearly 2 years ago.  Right away she showed signs of a great runner.  During the next two years, Meskerem has really developed as a runner and a great young lady.  She is the team's biggest (and loudest) supporter.  And this summer, she has really taken on the role of top runner as she pushes the workouts and encourages all of her teammates!
Spencer is new to our team this year, but has already shown his commitment and dedication as he put in a very solid week - not only getting his runs in, but also completing his Week Report and pushing himself to be better with solid goals.
Congrats to Both Spencer and Meskerem on their hard work and commitment to PVXC!

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Week 2 Update and Level Progression

Our 2nd week of practice has come to a close and we saw many great gains from our team.  Almost all of our athletes who have come out to practice are still coming out, more athletes are reporting their workouts on the Week Report and a few have even started their Heart Rate Tracking.  Just a reminder that all of things are critical to your improvement.  And we really appreciate those who are taking the time to commit to improving themselves and our team.  Your workout minutes for this week (Week 2) need to be updated by Sunday afternoon - and then after setting your goals for next week, you may clear off workouts on Monday (to make sure Coach has updated everything).

We still have about 5 spots left for High Altitude Camp - so talk with the coaches if you would like to fill in one of those spots.  The final $35 (total of $85) for camp will be due the first week of July.

Kids' Club has been a great success!  Thanks to each of you for your leadership and example to the kids you are working with.  And thanks to those who are bringing treats… a reminder to those who haven't, please sign up to bring treats one day.

Finally, now that we are starting to get in a little better shape, you are going to have the opportunity to push yourself a little bit more.  This is a great time to start to work up from the Beginner Level of workouts to Level 1 - when are you ready for this?  Well, the best answer is when you can run a week or so of Beginner without walking.  To progress between Levels, talk to the coaches, see what they think, what would be good about it, if you are ready for it.  And then, when the time is right, jump back and forth between Levels for a week or two until you are fully ready to move to the next Level.  Remember, right now the most important thing is to stay healthy - and to stay healthy you need to find that balance between running enough (consistently, 6 days a week) and not pushing too hard too early, you need to take care of your body with healthy food and good amounts of water, and enough sleep, stretching and rolling, and a positive attitude.

We are proud of how all of you are doing - keep it up!

p.s. Still waiting for someone to know all the names!

Athletes of the Week - Week 1

This season, PVXC will be honoring Athletes of the Week beginning with our first week of summer practice.  Our first Athletes of the Week were both chosen for their dedication to the team and commitment during this first week of practice.  
Cameron Brown is a Senior and Captain of the boys' team.  Not only has Cameron had a great week of running, but has set the standard for filling out his Week Report and tracking his Heart Rate while at the same time encouraging others to do their reports as well.  PVXC looks forward to a strong year of leadership and running from Cam.
Brianna Esplin, Junior, is working her way back from a year-long absence from running because of injury.  She has brought a great attitude to the team and is demonstrating a commitment to tracking her runs on her Week Report and setting goals that will improve her and the team.
Congratulations to Cam and Brianna.  

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Week 1... Down!

Our first week of XC has finished up and it was a great one!  We had a largest turnout ever for our first day, and most came again (which is always a bonus!).  We had our first day of Kids' Club, and it was packed with over 300 K-8th Graders.  
A couple reminders:

High Altitude Camp - your first $50 is due June 10th (total is $85 if you want to just pay it all).  Please get your money to Coach Holt soon!  If your not sure if you should go, talk to someone who has gone.  Camp is a blast and you will love bonding with your team.

Week Report - many of you need to fill out your Week Reports for this past week.  They need to be done by Sunday afternoon.  If you don't know how to do it... Look over to the right and find the link, go to it, take one of the tabs that doesn't have a name on it, rename it, and add your info.

Heart Rate - over in the right, you will also see the link for the Heart Rate Tracking.  Please start taking yours.

This next week, we will be heading into Week 2 of our XC season.  Some of you will find that you are starting doubles (a second run for the day) once or twice a week.  You might also see your minutes increasing a little bit as you get into better shape.  Everyone keep up the great work... We have seen great progress from many of you, even in just one week!  Remember your other assignment: get someone else out to practice!  Enjoy your weekend and see you Monday at 7:00 at Washington Elementary where we will be announcing our first Athlete of the Week!