Summer Training
May 24, 2013
Summer can be the difference maker for a cross country athlete. Runners who spend the summer without doing any running will find they are way behind those who have been training over the summer months. Coaches use a term "The Jump" to refer to the huge improvements runners can make if they train over the summer. Here are some things you can do to make your own "Jump" this cross country season:
Run!
Running is obviously important if you want to be in shape for the cross country season. Our cross country meets are, at most, two miles long so you should try to build yourself up to run that distance if you don't have much running experience. If you do have experience running and want to be one of our top 7 runners who go to State, your goal should be to run 15-20 miles per week by the end of July. Another key aspect of making "The Jump" is knowing what your weaknesses are and focusing on one to improve upon this summer. The coaches at Endurance Camp will be focusing the group on certain aspects of running, but if you have something you want to work on individually, talk to a coach and we can help you determine what you need to do to improve.
Run Endurance Camp
We know family vacations or other summer plans may prevent you from joining Endurance Camp, but if you're going to be in Yorkville for the summer it is highly recommended that you participate. Running with a large group is much easier than trying to train on your own. You can go to the Endurance Camp website to get more information and register. Registration is due June 1 so get your money and registration form in as soon as possible.
If you can't make Endurance Camp, but still want to make "The Jump", talk to Coach Miller and he can come up with a summer workout plan for you. It's hard to train on your own, but it will be better than doing nothing over the summer.
Be Active
While staying inside to escape the summer heat is great, it is important that you stay active over the summer. That doesn't mean running when it's 90º and humid, but it does mean playing sports, participating in camps that help with your endurance. Coach Chatman will be hosting a seminar on June 3 at 6pm for athletes and parents talking about nutrition and other aspects of training to be a good athlete. You can download this flyer for more information.
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Deana Johnson on July 15, 2013
