RunningAHEAD - Topic: Five cross country practices per week - my 'new to running' kids cry 'too much' - what should I advise them to do? (page 3)

jpnairn

straw man

posted: 8/20/2008 at 3:43 PM

> If they see their friends all day at school, it really isn't a necessity for them to hang out > after school every day. That's what the weekend's for. I thought the weekend was for longer runs. That's what my coach told me.

He who has the best time wins. Jerry

Teresadfp

One day at a time

posted: 8/20/2008 at 5:21 PM

Quote from Aimster on 8/20/2008 at 12:17 PM:

I can't imagine the Hell I would have brought down on myslef if I told my parents track practice was too hard and I wanted to skip a practice a week. I agree with previous posts. You make the team, you stick with the team. And by the way, kudos to all of you high school X-country kids out there getting ready for your season. Treasadfp's kid, you sound remarkable. I'll be thinking of you when I see the long, lean, string bean kids pass me at the park near high school.

Aimster, I'll make sure Logan sees your comment. He is an amazing kid, if I do say so myself. 60 miles running each of the last two weeks, per his coach's instructions. He really wants to be the fastest XC kid in Maine his senior year. I don't know if he'll be #1, but he should be in the top 4 or 5. It's fun going to HIS school conferences - the teachers tell us we're doing a great job with him. Then I go to DS13's conferences, and the teachers soberly ask, "Is everything OK at home?" Blush

Keeps us humble...

dertswa687o

posted: 8/20/2008 at 5:59 PM

Quote from frowzy on 8/19/2008 at 6:36 PM:

This week, they now are saying that they'd like to skip one practice a week. They implied that 'everyone does it' and that they were going to do this without consulting the coach.

If I miss a practice, (I'm a freshman by the way) I'm off of the team. My coach doesn't stop there though. If I cut a course, I'm off the team. So, there is nobody in their right mind who would skip practice on my team.

Hi.

Carps10

posted: 8/20/2008 at 6:26 PM
modified: 8/21/2008 at 2:54 PM

///

runner92

Just Be

posted: 8/20/2008 at 7:38 PM

Quote from Teresadfp on 8/20/2008 at 5:21 PM:

Aimster, I'll make sure Logan sees your comment. He is an amazing kid, if I do say so myself. 60 miles running each of the last two weeks, per his coach's instructions. He really wants to be the fastest XC kid in Maine his senior year. I don't know if he'll be #1, but he should be in the top 4 or 5.

Your son reminds me of myself when I was his age. When I was a junior in HS I think my best mile was in the 4:3x to 4:4x range and my 2 mile was hovering right around 10 minutes, and my 5k right around 16 minutes. Keep encouraging him, though it sounds like he derives most of his encouragement internally... if he sticks with it and keeps training to gain speed and increase fitness, he will go far. Looking back now, I wish I would have made the commitment to be on some sort of team. He is doing the right thing, and going about reaching his goals in the right way. I only have the best of wishes for him with regard to his future! Smile

My Running Log | Blog of Running Lore

Phidippides

posted: 8/20/2008 at 7:43 PM
modified: 8/20/2008 at 7:44 PM

Quote from JakeKnight on 8/20/2008 at 9:49 AM:

The posts from a few teenagers on this thread give me hope for the future.

There are lazy kids, but just as many lazy adults.......I have met/know a lot of teenager and most are responsible for their age and will work when needed - and do whats required.....i think the ones that are not turn into lazy adults.....

Champions are made when no one is watching

bdags

posted: 8/20/2008 at 8:57 PM

Quote from runner92 on 8/20/2008 at 7:38 PM:

Your son reminds me of myself when I was his age. When I was a junior in HS I think my best mile was in the 4:3x to 4:4x range and my 2 mile was hovering right around 10 minutes, and my 5k right around 16 minutes. Keep encouraging him, though it sounds like he derives most of his encouragement internally... if he sticks with it and keeps training to gain speed and increase fitness, he will go far. Looking back now, I wish I would have made the commitment to be on some sort of team. He is doing the right thing, and going about reaching his goals in the right way. I only have the best of wishes for him with regard to his future!

You ran all of those times and you weren't even on a team?

runner92

Just Be

posted: 8/21/2008 at 11:47 AM

Quote from bdags on 8/20/2008 at 8:57 PM:

You ran all of those times and you weren't even on a team?

Nope.

I wish now that I would have made that commitment, but at the time I wanted nothing to do with that type of commitment. I ran with friends who were on track teams, though. And now I run with a track coach who is also a runner. Back when I could have been on teams there was a ton of pressure from my peers and even a coach in my later years for me to join "next season" but I kept saying no. Tongue

At that point in my life running was just something I loved to do by myself, for the most part. My alone time.

My Running Log | Blog of Running Lore

KathyRunning

posted: 8/25/2008 at 2:58 PM

I'll throw in something else here, my husband (who is turning 37) has suddenly decided that he wants to beat his High School 800 M time. He didn't practice enough in high school and never beat whatever time he wanted to beat back then, so now he wants to beat it. At 37! And he just started running two weeks ago. Don't let this happen to you...go to practice, make your times now while you're young! Big grin

http://www.runningnotes.net

Doug B

posted: 8/25/2008 at 8:03 PM

Many years ago I did not follow the coach's off season advice. I think the first year (both track and X-country) I came in out of shape... eventually I got to where I could run a decent time by the end of the season. But... I was taking risks and not helping the team or myself. Second season... stress fracture. Done. So off season running is important to kids also. Their bodies respond better to minor aches but they are not indestructable. You cn't go from 5 miles per week to 50 miles per week in 1 month without a serious risk of injury. I gambled. I made it through 1 year and lost the second year. It is not worth it. They should train properly in the offseason. It would have been nice to run a 2-minute flat 800 meters or a sub 17 minute 5k. But I missed out on those chances by not being prepared. That's my story.

Five cross country practices per week - my 'new to running' kids cry 'too much' - what should I advise them to do? (Read 1246 times)