June 24-29 (Week 4)

If you are looking for info on Youth Summer Running Club or if this is your first week of XC, scroll down to last week's post and get the info.

Hopefully, everyone had a great end to the week. We really missed the big crew that was gone. A couple important things that you'll see come up again in a second: 

1) Camp stuff is due this week - see info below 

2) Summer is almost half over - it really is time to be at practice and to get your runs in

3) We are starting up "doubles" this week - Whites, Blacks, and Silvers are expected to do 2 doubles this week, it is optional for Maroons (although, Maroons and beginners who don't do the double should get out in the afternoon and do a 15min walk). What does "expected" mean? Simply, it means you should be doing it. Remember, we let everyone choose their own level of commitment to the team, and the upper levels have chosen this commitment. Our program is designed around these runs being part of what you chose to do. If because of trips or activities or whatever, you need to move the days, do... but get two afternoon doubles in. 

We do doubles for a couple of reasons. One is to start building up our heat acclimation. We've got to start getting out in the hot afternoons. So starting small a couple of times a week is much safer. Secondly, to build up our minutes. Doubles are an easy way to get more running in without being as hard on the body. There are many other reasons as well that deal with team camaraderie, commitment, self-discipline, and all that kind of stuff, too. The bottom line is this though, the more you buy in and do the work, the better you'll be. 

Please take a look at this article about running in the heat for tips and safety.

Purpose of the Week's Workouts: Click here for a link to this week's workouts (you have to request access on your school account to see the workouts). Still building... You must be getting your runs in (and hopefully at practice). The summer goes fast, and although it might not feel like it, we will be racing soon. To have a successful year, the work really has to be done now. 

Click here and track your minutes from Week 3: Weekly Minutes. 

This Week's Schedule: bring water and a towel (for stretches and drills on grass)

Monday: Regular practice at 7:00a at Highland Park (up on top of the bluff of the way to Coral Canyon) (Everyone)

Tuesday: Regular practice at 7:00a at Washington Elementary (Everyone) - Youth Summer Running Club 8:30-9:45 (everyone plan on staying and helping out) *those who signed up for treats, please remember them*. Weights after practice at PVHS / PM: easy run on own (or form own group) (White, Black, Silver expected; Maroon optional)

Wednesday: Regular practice at 7:00a at Elementary (Everyone) 

Thursday: Regular practice at 7:00a at Elementary (Everyone). Weights after practice at PVHS / PM: easy run on own (or form own group) (White, Black, Silver expected; Maroon optional)

Friday: Regular practice at 7:00a at Sullivan Park (Everyone)

Saturday: Form your own groups and get your run in

Book Club Reading: We are going to do our Book Club discussion on Monday after our run (it will only add 10mins to practice). So please read the assigned sections - Week 3 - (Should maybe take only 20mins to read the assigned pages). Get a hard copy at practice, or you can download a pdf version of our reading sections here (You've got to request permission to have it shared with you): Week 3-4 Reading pdf .

Upcoming Events:

• Waffle Wednesdays - Wednesday morning after practice, location TBA
• High Altitude Camp - July 15th-18th at Jacob Lake. Cost is $90. We will need to get this planned and figured out who is going, parents driving (staying for all or part). This is a VERY worthwhile event to be a part of... everyone on the team should make it a priority to join us. Those who are new, talk to your teammates about camp and see why you should plan on being there too. Please take a minute and fill out the following form for participation. Registration and Payment are due by June 24th (That is now! Probably about 15 have paid. We really want everyone to come. Camp is just an awesome team building experience and really brings everyone together. Do your best to get your payment in so we can get everything arranged.)

PVXC Thought of the Week: "All-out war promptly broke out in the shell house. The sullen rivalries that had arisen during the fall season now turned into outright battles..." 

-Daniel Brown, Boys in the Boat

Take a minute and think about this quote in the context of what is going on in the book (if you haven't read it yet, I guess you better READ!). And now think about the importance of teamwork and attitude toward teamwork and competition. Let's talk about it tomorrow. Get in the Boat!