Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Kids' Club Race

A very solid day of racing at our Summer Running Club today.  Congrats to Elsie A. who set a new 2nd grade record, Elin H. with a new 3rd grade record, and Ben B. with a new 5th grade record.  Full results are here, and records are here.  Also check out a few pics on Insta @pvxctrack

Monday, June 25, 2018

Sand Hill 6/25

Today we attempted our first Sand Hill run of the season.  It is an approximately 9 mile loop through the desert north of Washington which includes a nearly 1 mile long hill that is all sand - basically a giant sand dune - with a nearly equal descent from the Millcreek side to the Grapevine side.  Last year, we broke the ice with this run, but this year we will be making it much more of a team effort.  Congrats to all those who conquered the Sand Hill whether for the first time or with a great time.  Check out the stats and give any feedback you might notice with the standards and rewards as we move toward our next attempt in a couple weeks.  (By the way... we see Nathan with the guys' record on the descent, but we know who really has it ;)

Saturday, June 23, 2018

Week of June 25-30 (Week 4)

We are hitting the tough days of summer.  If you noticed (and how could you not?!) our numbers are taking a hit, the heat is on, and our bodies are getting a little tired.  Now is a very important time to refocus... Ask yourself, "Why am I doing this whole running thing?" Hopefully you can find an answer that refocuses your commitment and dedication.  Remember great teams and great individuals are made in the summer.  Now is the time to really put a great effort in.

Here's our schedule for the week -
Monday: Like last week, we will meet at Wash. Elem. at 6:30a!
Tuesday: Wash. Elem. at 7:00a with Kid's Club after (those who have treats, please remember).  We will be adding a double (second run) for many of us after weights.  So we will now meet at the PVHS at 3:00p (time will be finalized at practice) to do weights and our run.  Why run doubles? Distance running is an aerobic sport.  There is just no way around it... the more you run, the better you get. Doubles allow us to stretch those minutes more and train our bodies to handle more running. Why run in the afternoon when it is so hot? When school starts, a lot of our running will have to be done in the afternoon heat. So now is a good time to start slowly getting the body acclimated to the heat. We understand it will be hard for some to make it because of work (get the run in when you can), and we understand it will be hard because of the heat. A few tips for running in the heat: be hydrated (drink a lot of water throughout the day), wear light loose fitting clothing, soak down your hair or wear a wet hat, always run with a partner to have help if needed.
Wednesday: Wash. Elem. at 7:00a
Thursday: Wash. Elem. at 7:00a.  Weights and short afternoon run at PVHS at 3:00p.
Friday: Meet at Heritage Park (in Coral Canyon) at 7:00a
Saturday: On own or organize your own group run.

Team Party and Goal Setting Session: Last week's party was awesome... we just want more people to come! Party committee is planning another one this week - most likely around the same time on Tuesday afternoon.  The captains would like to take the team through a Goal and Target Setting Session.  To make this successful, we really need the team to be there.  PLEASE TRY AND ATTEND!

High Altitude Camp will be July 30-Aug 2.  We want everyone to attend.  It is a great time! Talk to your teammates about it.  It is very important that we get a count and payment from everyone before the end of this week.  (Remember, the next week is the moratorium week - no coaches - so we have to have our numbers set THIS WEEK!) Please pay your $90 to the PVHS Finance Office by Thursday and bring you receipt to Coach Holt.  Also, we will be looking for parents who can drive up and/or back from camp (and anyone who might want to stay with us any/all days).  Please contact Coach Holt if you are available.

If you have yet to complete the captains' "survey" please do.

If you need to get caught up on your Final Surge, please do; minutes will be recorded Sunday morning.  If you haven't signed up, see the posts below.  Also check below for info on registermyathlete registration info and physicals.  You MUST have your registermyathlete done and your physical complete to go to camp.

Weekly minutes can be found here. 

Thought of the Week: "Peak performance isn't so much about your ability to focus.  It's more about your ability to REFOCUS." - Ken Ravizza

Sunday, June 17, 2018

Week of June 18-23 (Week 3)

So many great things happening with PVXC this summer.  It's tough with all the summer events going on, so remember, if you're in town be at practice, and if you're out of town do your very best to get a run in (even if it isn't the full minutes/workout, something is better than nothing).

Here's our schedule for the week -
Monday: Long runs will move to Monday. To help us deal with the heat a little bit, we will meet at Wash. Elem. at 6:30a!
Tuesday: Wash. Elem. at 7:00a with Kid's Club after (those who have treats, please remember).  After Club, we will go over to the HS at do weights.
Wednesday: Wash. Elem. at 7:00a
Thursday: Wash. Elem. at 7:00a with weights after.
Friday: Meet at Confluence Trailhead (by the Dixie Center) at 7:00a
Saturday: On own or organize your own group run.

Sometime this week, we are also planning a team night.  We would really like everyone on the team come as we will be receiving our Team Book, setting goals, and other important XC stuff.  We will probably do this Tuesday evening.

The captains have put this confidential "survey" together for each of you to fill out.  Could each of you athletes do this for them ASAP.  This is based upon the Commitment Continuum.  What you'll do is read through each level of commitment and then mark each captain once where you think he/she best fits.  Please be honest... this is something they will be using to help plan out the season for us.

If you need to get caught up on your Final Surge, do it quick.  If you haven't signed up, see the posts below.  Also check below for info on registermyathlete registration info and physicals.  A couple things to also be planning: High Altitude Camp will be July 30-Aug 2.  Please pay your $90 to the PVHS Finance Office by the end of this month and bring you receipt to Coach Holt; keep one of our favorite Youngsters Brianna U. in your thoughts and prayers (I was able to visit her this weekend and there are some positive things happening, but she has a long road ahead of her); and remember the goal of bringing out someone to join us.

Here's your weekly minutes if you want to take a look at it.

Thought of the Week: "When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." - Lao Tzu
Put that one in the ol' brain hole and think about it for a few minutes.  We will talk about it at practice Monday.

Saturday, June 9, 2018

Week of June 11-16 (Week 2)

After a good first week of practice, we are heading into Week 2.  Your challenge for the coming week is to get someone to join us for practice.  So text some friends, think of someone who came out last year who isn't there this summer, or grab a stranger off the street.  This week's practice schedule will be as follows: Monday through Thursday we will meet Washington Elem. and then on Friday we will meet at Middleton Park at 7:00a and run through about 8:30 (with the exception of Tuesday, which will be explained below).

much of the info below is the same as last week... what does that tell you?! Even if you did look it over last week, please take a look again (some things are updated, others you might need a reminder on to do if you haven't yet)

Tuesday - Youth Summer Running Club: (Same info as last week, in case you haven't been around) On most Tuesday's throughout the summer, we host our Youth Summer Running Club.  This is run by you, the athletes.  You are the coaches to the youth (K-8th grade).  We will discuss the details at practice on Monday and Tuesday, but know that being to Running Club is an expectation of our team.  Please plan on being at practice until 10:00a on Tuesdays to help with Running Club.  Those who are assigned to bring popsicles, please remember.  If you know any K-8th who would still like to participate, it is not too late to sign up.  Just direct them to the previous posts here for instructions on registration and payment.

registermyathlete: It is very important that each of you complete your registermyathlete (to do this, just go to registermyathlete.com and either login or create an account).  This is where you and a guardian will sign off all of your paperwork.

Physical: It is required that every athlete get a physical every year.  Some of you got your physicals at the very end of this past school year at PVHS.  If so, great.  If not, you need to get your physical schedule.  You can print the paperwork off of the UHSAA website.  This MUST be schedule soon, and take place in the next two weeks.

Athletes will not be able to participate without completion of registermyathlete and having a current physical on file at PVHS

Final Surge: We will be using finalsurge.com for our training log this season.  Each athlete needs to go online and create an account.  Then please share the email used to create the account with Coach Holt so you can be invited to be added to the team account.  This is a great tool for tracking your progress.  The app makes tracking your runs very quick and easy.  Weekly Minutes: Minutes will be calculated from Final Surge, so make sure you have your runs from Week 1 logged by Saturday evening.

Remind: We use the remind app for all our PVXC communication.  Please join us by texting the code @a24b37 to the number 81010. Or sign up online or using the Remind app with the same code.

Insta and Twitter: Here's where you go for great pics, articles, quotes, and more... @pvxctrack

This Week's Thought: "Everyone thinks you get better at practice.  What sets the great apart from the good is what you are doing the other 22 hours of the day. 'How bad do you want it?' should be the constant question." - Chris Solinsky
Besides being one of my favorite runners ever (look him up and see how awesome he was - here's a video of one of the greatest and most important races ever - you'll have to do some research to find out why it was such a big deal... anyway...), Solinsky is totally on point here.  And in the summer time this is even more true.  You have all the time in the world in the summer - even if you are working, or going on trips, or whatever.  So how are you using that time?  All the teams and individuals that aspire to greatness are going to practice (and so are you!); how are you doing at the other things that are going to make you and our team truly great?  If eating healthy is a struggle... work on it.  If getting to bed too late is a struggle... work on it.  If it is rolling, doing extra core, cross-training... whatever it is that you could do to help set us apart... work on it.  And I'll add this final thought - the time to do it is now.  Not when school starts, or in September when races start, or October when we are looking toward Region and State.  Champions are made NOW, in JUNE!

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Week of June 4-9 (Week 1)

WELCOME or WELCOME BACK!  It's XC time.  Practice will start Monday, June 4th at 7:00a at Washington Elementary.  For this week, all practices will start at 7:00 and run through about 8:30 (with the exception of Tuesday, which will be explained below).  On Monday through Thursday we will meet Washington Elem. and then on Friday we will meet at Sullivan Park.

Tuesday - Youth Summer Running Club: On most Tuesday's throughout the summer (starting this week), we host our Youth Summer Running Club.  This is run by you, the athletes.  You are the coaches to the youth (K-8th grade).  We will discuss the details at practice on Monday and Tuesday, but know that being to Running Club is an expectation of our team.  Please plan on being at practice until 10:00a on Tuesdays to help with Running Club.

registermyathlete: It is very important that each of you complete your registermyathlete (to do this, just go to registermyathlete.com and either login or create an account).  This is where you and a guardian will sign off all of your paperwork.

Physical: It is required that every athlete get a physical every year.  Some of you got your physicals at the very end of this past school year at PVHS.  If so, great.  If not, you need to get your physical schedule.  You can print the paperwork off of the UHSAA website.  This MUST be schedule soon, and take place in the next two weeks.

Athletes will not be able to participate without completion of registermyathlete and having a current physical on file at PVHS

Final Surge: We will be using finalsurge.com for our training log this season.  Each athlete needs to go online and create an account.  Then please share the email used to create the account with Coach Holt so you can be invited to be added to the team account.  This is a great tool for tracking your progress.  The app makes tracking your runs very quick and easy.

Remind: We use the remind app for all our PVXC communication.  Please join us by texting the code @a24b37 to the number 81010. Or sign up online or using the Remind app with the same code.

Insta and Twitter: Here's where you go for great pics, articles, quotes, and more... @pvxctrack

And we always like to end with a thought of some kind... This Week's Thought: "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." - Henry Ford
This first week of practice is the beginning... Let's get tons of people out; friends, classmates, that one kid who seemed interested that one time, anyone.  Because the more people we can get involved in this great thing we do, the greater we are going to be as we "work... together [toward] success."