Good bye Summer!

It's been Fun!

Not being perfect is...PERFECT!

It is always nice to get that first race underneath us and to have the chance to finally do something with all the work we have put in this summer!  As a whole, we truly believe that most of YOU feel that it was a great start to where we want to end up (the big picture of course), but that it wasn't perfect how it all played out.  There are definitely places where some of us will do better, whether its on the hills, or the finish, or believing a little better, or not falling at the start...the beauty of this race (or any race for that matter), is that it isn't going to be perfect and that is exactly what makes it perfect!  We are always going to be about improving!  Remember though, that there is a difference between improving and nagging yourself because of things you want to do better.  That is just how life is kiddos and one of the most powerful things you can gain from all of this is that when you get knocked down, YOU GET BACK UP!  This does not mean that there weren't great things that happened at the race...in fact, quite the contrary!  Considering the many things we are still pursuing and haven't trained for yet, it was an awesome start to this season (just a little side note, if you combined all the classifications together, our boys and girls teams beat everyone!)  Just remember, the pursuit of the "Big Picture" requires that we give our BEST everyday...whether that is our attitude, or listening to what our Coaches tell us to do (like truly recover on a certain day, etc), or take care of ourselves better, and especially enjoy the process...
THAT IS HOW WE TRULY...

LIVE, LOVE, RUN!

See you guys at Practice!  😎

Speaking of "getting back up" when you feel you have been knocked down, here is a link to a great poem that reminds us of why we keep doing this...what we are suppose to do when it gets tough...how the process is more important than the outcome!

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GzuM4APFd4eRb9ODWdb5VdGSVeljCk2knD8mpyHZJZg/edit?usp=sharing

EMBRACE it!

When you "Love" something, you don't dread it, you don't hide from it, you don't shy away from it, you don't doubt...YOU EMBRACE IT!  As it has been famously said..."LOVE never faileth!"  That doesn't mean that it still isn't scary or nerve racking, or intimidating, etc.  But it does mean that no matter the situation or even the outcome, YOU KNOW that it matters to you and that this "Power" behind this "Love" will get you through anything!  So, as we embark on this first race of the season, let's really try to EMBRACE the big picture...let's focus on working through the "Moments" that WILL happen during the race (or workouts that build up to future races), and realize that when we LOVE what we are doing, there really isn't any hill too high, distance too far, temperature too hot or too cold...just simply a JOY that comes from doing this Together and believing that it is worth it!  Because it is!  Let's really Enjoy and Embrace this week, this opportunity, this moment!  We know we will...because we have YOU!

VIEWPOINT

2 weeks and we have our first race! We are amazed every year how fast it goes by, but our amazement is not a negative one...it is an exciting one! We have spent a lot of time and miles, building up for this very reason...not to dread that school is around the corner (ok, we can understand a little dread about that!), but we have worked for this time of the year that is upon us!  You still have 3 weeks solid weeks of GREAT, CONSISTENT WORK, that we can and WILL DO!   Let's make sure our attitude matches the effort that we have been putting forth all summer! Just remember, we never stop building the foundation! We will begin adding or tweaking parts of our training, but we always work on what's most important...our foundation!

It is HARC week, and that means that this week is mostly on your own.

WE REALLY WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE, THAT WHETHER YOU ARE GOING OR NOT, THIS DOES NOT LESSEN WHAT YOU MEAN TO THIS TEAM...OR WHAT KIND OF RUNNER YOU CAN AND WILL BE!   IT ALL DEPENDS ON YOUR VIEWPOINT!  Sometimes it may feel like you are not good enough, or fast enough, or that you failed somehow...but truthfully, those things are never the reasons anyone goes or doesn't go.  Sure, we need to make sure you are capable of going, but that it easily proven by how you run at workouts, and simply putting in the miles...so never think that you can't be a part of HARC (just like you shouldn't assume you can go because you have before).  IT IS ALWAYS EARNED by being consistent and doing the little things that are asked of YOU.   LOOK FORWARD TO THIS SEASON AND YEARS TO COME!  And if HARC is really something YOU want in the future and you're not sure how to make it happen...ASK US and we will help you!

Just like it was a choice to balance your own personal goals, time, and effort for running and other things this summer...it is still a choice to continue to keep improving, want something better for YOU, and know that all will be well, if you will keep trusting and working!  We have great things to look forward to this season!  WE REALLY FEEL THAT SOMETHING SPECIAL IS ABOUT TO TRANSFORM AMONG OUR TEAM...EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU ARE A PART OF THAT!

With a little bit of LOVE, anything is possible!

LIVE    LOVE    RUN!

What Matters?

For some reason, moments of previous Stansbury XC Teams have flooded my mind.  Moments that came about because of realizing the big picture.  It is not always easy to keep giving, to keep going, to keep showing up, to keep believing, without understanding that there is a bigger reason for doing all of this...for giving up your time, for striving to go to bed earlier so you can make it to the morning run, for carrying your water bottle everywhere, for bugging your parents to make sure you can get a run in while out of town, for trusting your coaches - your teammates, for giving your best even if you have to bike or feel the slowest...IT ALL MATTERS!
As we look back and remember what many of our Teams have done, every single one had something about them...something that they fought for, that they worked for, and they believed in something more than they had ever done (the "Impossible!")  It didn't matter whether they were really going to do it, what mattered is that they were WILLING to give all they had to the big picture...for the chance for something amazing to happen.  Truthfully, this is the only way have GREATNESS happen.  We must keep taking that CHANCE...giving, wanting, believing, enjoying, loving, trusting, and of course, running...and before you know it...the season is over, the year is over, and all you will have are the memories of what you did...what we did!

What will the work of art be like for us?  What will our "painting" look like at the end of all of this?  Well, the beginning "strokes" are already happening!  What are YOU doing to add to our Masterpiece?  From what we can see, this painting has the potential to be one of the BEST!  Please keep adding your "strokes" (through your running!), by doing the little things, giving just a little bit more, and loving the process of becoming more than you ever thought possible!  That is what we see in you, and that is why we are proud to be a part of this!  Every "stroke" counts, every person matters, as it all comes together...IT ALL MATTERS!

                                                    (every stroke leads to the Masterpiece)

Constant

                                             (picture taken at Bradley Lake... about mile 37)

What an Adventure!  Even though the terrain and surroundings required me to be truly focused on the trail and every step was pure adrenaline "running" through me (because every rock was ready to take me down!)...I did have some ah-ha moments of running bliss!  Here are a few that I feel are cool to share with you and hopefully make a difference in your current Adventure.

I realized that there are a few CONSTANTS in my life that really matter...that really mean something to me...that have changed my life.
1. My Family!
2. My Beliefs and Faith
3. Running
4. and My Running Family!
I'm not going to sugar coat the reality of my adventure...as much as it was stunning and absolutely amazing, I can say that this is one of the hardest things I have done in a LONG time!  Sure, I have run farther before, over some unbelievable terrain, but this challenge was so much more! I knew going into this, that it was going to be hard...mostly because of my foot and what I have had to deal with that obstacle in my life right now.  I made sure I was being smart over the last year (I was not about to damage my foot and start all over again), but there is always the unknown...BUT over the years, the CONSTANT helped me know and feel that I could do this.  I wasn't able to train the normal long miles that I love doing (especially to prepare for such a long journey), but I never doubted that I could do it...HOW LONG was another question!  haha!  The longest I have been able to run at one time has been a little over an hour...this Adventure took us 13 hours!  The last 8 miles were really rough...it took every ounce of "WILL" to get to the DESTINATION!  A funny moment was when we passed an older couple and they asked, "where are you heading?" We told them "Death Canyon Trailhead" (that's the real name of where we started and parked.  And remember, we are about 6 miles from there at this point).  The nice gentleman said, "oh my, you've got a long ways to go!"  I didn't have the heart to tell him that we had already gone 35 miles!   ;)
I share this with you, because even though I wasn't as well trained as I have been in the past, it didn't stop me or scare me from believing that the journey was worth more than any discomfort I would or could feel...in that moment!  The 4 items I listed above (which includes you guys!), are the very reasons I LOVE, LIVE, and choose to RUN, and keep doing it day in and day out!  Don't let the chances of doing something great (because that is what you are doing), don't let that stop you just because you feel scared, or maybe tired, or even unsure, or if you go to HARC or are a Varsity runner or not and so forth...

TRUST the work you are doing...BELIEVE it is worth it (because YOU are worth it!)...and LOVE what you are doing!  

Just like the majestic Teton Mountains stand as a Constant, rising above the valleys below...let the Greatness in you (hopefully through your RUNNING), be a CONSTANT that can change your life!  

(on the back side of the Tetons...Hurricane Pass - highest point of the run.  about 20 miles)

Heart Felt "WISH!"

I must admit, with last weeks post about HARC and spending this last week running on my own with family and in new places, I can't help but feel a little down!  I have tried to figure out why. I guess as we reflect on what we know makes a difference in this program, and what is required to give our BEST, it just seems that there is a little something missing, as a whole...as much as us Coaches try to reflect on the "Big Picture" we are still human and feel like overall, our Team is missing a little something.  We sometimes feel like what we are trying to share (our Best, our Heart), and feel it is only heard/read by a small FEW...that this running thing is maybe not as big of a deal as maybe we thought or think it should be!  We only know how it has changed sooooo many lives and how it has brought out the BEST in US and many others... so we keep trying to give you everything you deserve...We really love you guys!

So why does it feel like, overall, we are just going through the motions or missing something?

We truly do understand...this is not EVERYONE (don't feel like this is pointing fingers...its about checking yourself and knowing what you want to do for this summer and beyond!), but it is also  about us together, and we know that there are many things going on, and it can drag on, or emotions just feel uncertain, or we are tired, or maybe it's not a big deal, and on and on...but we can tell you with absolute certainty...

YOU WILL LOOK BACK AND WISH YOU COULD HAVE DONE A LITTLE BETTER!  

Better with adjusting, better with attitude, better with starting over, better with each other, better trusting, better believing, better communication, better overcoming, better hydrating...JUST DOING A LITTLE BETTER!  And not because you didn't or don't try hard, but because you know, it just could have been a little BETTER! We keep trying to remind you that it doesn't matter what has happened (you can't change the past), BUT YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT RIGHT NOW! AND ABOUT TOMORROW!

You will never know where this all could really take YOU!  Not until WE are willing to RUN with our HEARTS, and realize that this is so much more than just RUNNING!  

We felt the only way to truly share what we feel, is to remind YOU why we are doing this!  Here is our video theme for the year!  Watch it again, and again if needed, to hopefully remind US of What's special about US! 

                                       Love, Your Coaches

What Matters...To YOU!

First things...it looks like we have a scheduled GIRLS camp for July 10th to July 11th (one night), in Midway, Utah (at Masche's cabin).  We will bring a sack lunch as we leave and come home after dinner on the 11th.  More details will come out...but what we are expecting is that you read this and then send Coachie a message on dailymile if YOU CAN COME...THAT IS HOW WE WILL GET A NUMBER OF HOW MANY ARE COMING!  Yes, all girls on the team are invited to come, if they can or want to and if any parents want to help drive and come, they are welcome!

There is also a camp in the works for the BOYS.  Carson has been able to get permission to go up to his Cabin/house in Altamont.  It is scheduled for around July 17th.  You boys need to talk with Carson and decide exactly the details like the girls did.

So, this week is a great opportunity for all of us to EVALUATE where we are at!  You can meet and go run together if you want (check the schedule above or set up your own runs...also, if you want, go enter a race!).  It is a great week to let your bodies recuperate from all the work so far.  You can still get in your miles in, or back off a bit if you have enough miles in up to this point.  Speaking of miles...here are a few thoughts that us Coaches have been thinking about and need you all to know.

We understand that the summer can be very demanding and lots of things are going on...it is very busy for us also.  We have been doing this for many years now, and we know the in's and out's of overcoming the mileage and schedules and so forth.  What we are concerned about is that maybe YOU don't understand the need of the mileage requirement for HARC.  The thing that we look at right up front is your mileage for the summer.  If you are not even on schedule to get 500 miles for the summer (WE USE DAILYMILE TO DETERMINE THIS!), we don't even consider you (Little side note: as of today, you should be at 180 miles to be on track for HARC and 500 miles).  It's not that you may not be capable, but this is just an expectation we have of our Team.  If you are missing miles on your account, get them on NOW!  Please don't do mileage "dumps" where you put a ton of miles on one day...your job is to stay up to date as much as possible...so get it updated!  After the mileage, we consider if someone is able to handle HARC runs.  It is not about whether we believe in you or not (we absolutely believe in ALL OF YOU!), but these are tough mountain runs at high elevation and we must be safe, capable, and absolutely EARNED.  A good way to look at this is a HARC mentality requires that you have a Varsity mentality (you don't have to be a Varsity runner to have this type of attitude!).  And in order to have a Varsity mentality, there is NO short route in your vocabulary (unless your Coaches tell you to for a specific reason or you know that you MUST adjust due to how you feel that day...but that is only once in a great while).  Sure, we all feel beat up or might struggle on certain days, but there is no substitute to know that you are capable of doing what YOU expect of YOURSELF.  We hope you can see the connection between what is required of you and what you should be doing...to earn the chance to go to HARC!  We want YOU ALL to know that HARC is not meant to be about only the best runners on the team can go...it is about the BEST in YOU to be able to go!  The honest truth...if you feel that you are on the "bubble" to be able to go (for whatever reasons), then you probably won't go...we as Coaches need to know for sure, whether you are ok to make it through the camp...and your mileage, attitude and running full routes shows us whether you can or cannot.  There are only a few exceptions that we consider (less miles due to injuries and other items), but those are only considered because US COACHES KNOW ABOUT THEM because you have talked with US!

So please, evaluate yourself this week...be positive with your evaluation but also be recommitted to what you really want to accomplish.  Whether you go to HARC or not, DOES NOT DETERMINE WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, WILL DO, AND STILL BEING A PART OF SOMETHING SPECIAL!  Make sure you are simply doing your BEST and that YOU are where you want to be..if not, believe you can improve and don't be discouraged if it hasn't been ideal for you so far...start fresh today, to LOVE what you are doing...LIVE up to your Best...RUN like it matters to you (because YOU definitely matter!).

If you have any concerns about your miles, or your situation and where you are at with your miles...PLEASE TALK TO ME!  We want to help you!  But you need to understand that it is up to YOU if this is something YOU WANT.  Have a great week and we will see you on Monday, July 9th.

Turning Points

Sweet and simple for this weeks message!  I just spent the weekend at a Farm that I have fond memories of, every since I was a little kid.  It was a family reunion that we get together every 2 years at the Farm.  Families come from all over the country to be together, and reminisce, and usually re-introduce each other and talk about how our families have grown.  Lots of really cool things I could talk about, but one item really affected me this weekend as we shared moments together, and the history involved in our Family.  My Great Grandparents both immigrated to the US when they were teenagers...neither one knowing each other, yet giving up everything they had to come to America.  Sounds like a fairly normal story...many people did this...what stood out to me, as we re-enacted stories of how them met, and proposals, and loss, and homes, and jobs, and kids, and grandkids, and so forth...I just couldn't help but recognize that as I listened to the stories, each one had a "Turning Point" that either could lead them down one path vs. another.  Probably didn't seem like a big deal in the moment, but absolutely made huge differences later on.  I know this, because I am a direct affect of some of those "Turning Points!"  2 people who decided to sacrifice, work hard, be happy with what they had, pursue dreams...lead to me having memories that have changed my life.  Now, I can't really compare running itself, to my family history...but I couldn't help but feel a GRATEFUL connection to what some simple, yet hard things my ancestors did, not knowing the impact it would really have on themselves but especially generations later!  Our running...the effort, the drive, the time together, the ups and downs, the mornings, the nights, the races, the laughs, the tears, all are TURNING POINTS that can change your life (and truthfully, can change the life of others who will follow!).  Just might be interesting to think about what your legacy will be after you leave this short time in High School...make the BEST of it!  Don't waste the opportunities...no matter what has happened up to this point...START NOW!  KEEP GOING! Every single Grad we talk to...all mention how they wish they did a few things differently.  It would be nice to know, that YOU tried a little better to work on any weaknesses, smiled a little more, believed a little better, and just LOVED the Moment!  We have really enjoyed the process so far this summer...so many of you are giving and pursuing great things...make this week one of those "Turning Points" that can change the outcome for unforeseen things to come!!!!!!

Individual vs. Together

Running seems and is, in many ways, a very individual/solitary sport.  No one else can make you give what it takes while running, no one else can ultimately feel what you feel while working through the moments, no one can make you get up, or show up to practice, or get out the door...BUT there is also no greater power or influence then EACH OTHER!  Sometimes, the only thing that gets you out that door is because you want to be there for others, sometimes you have no energy or desire to show up to practice but you do because your Team needs you and they are counting on you.  Sometimes, you feel just tired and not wanting to give like you could or should at a workout/race situation, but you do simply because the LOVE you have for your Team, for others, and even for running itself.  We mention this because we want you to understand that all of this is so much more than just getting out there and running your miles, showing up to practice, or even overcoming the "obstacles" that get in the way...it's more than just sacrificing your time and schedule...
What we do through running truly can change your life!  It may not be fully understood how or why, but if you will feel it inside you...if you will feel how much some of your Teammates mean to you (or will mean to you because of your growing struggles together)...if you will realize how much your Coaches are here for you (tough and good times!)...if you will come TOGETHER, see the good in each other, focus on the positive, LOVE a little more in your running-time together-big picture, YOU WILL REALIZE THE TRUE JOY THAT COMES FROM BEING ON THIS TEAM!

That was a lot of "if's" we just mentioned...but that is why we do this day in and day out...to pursue the chance of doing something great TOGETHER!  And the key ingredient...is YOU!

We have 2 weeks left in June!  Let's spend the next 2 weeks really taking the time to get to know each other, to help someone else, look out for each other, be there for each other...no matter how we think we might feel!  All we can really tell you is that it is worth it!  It really is!  You may not see or understand it now, but when YOU look back, YOU will know and realize what mattered most...don't waste another day, another moment.  Let's go make something happen...TOGETHER!

What Stands Out?

I haven't been this sore in a long time...and I can't tell you enough, HOW GOOD IT FEELS!  What an amazing, awe inspiring, and tough run this weekend with the Fam! Some of the crazy, yet awesome things that stood out were the "tough" moments!  Some were obviously my own and still working around my foot (not quite a 100% yet), but some of the best and toughest were watching my kids deal with being tired, hot, climbing steep hills, running far, and so forth.  But what really stood out were watching my family overcome those tough moments, and not just overcome them, but how...they had a smile on their faces, they enjoyed doing this together...the very same things that would seem to make it miserable (or not as fun), were the very things that make it so they want to keep doing this again and again.  As your Coaches, we talk a lot about those little things that stand out about YOU, about running, about our Team/Family, about how to overcome the "OBSTACLES" that will come (or might already be there...like being sore, tired, time, etc).  As I woke up early this morning and just sitting outside our trailer, watching the sun come up and enjoying the peacefulness...I couldn't help but feel GRATITUDE (something us Coaches talk about often)!   To tie this in with our theme of 
"Live, Love, Run"...in order to really live, we need to feel that "love" that drives us to be better, to get up every day and be productive, to really strive to overcome our weaknesses (which we do together!), to RUN when we feel like it and when we don't feel like it!  I was grateful for that peaceful moment this morning that allowed me to really feel blessed and happy to still be running...to be there with my family and sharing that moment...to have a program like we do...to share our LOVE for Life and Running with YOU...to have the opportunity to inspire others to be more than they think they are (even though only a handful showed up to Friday mornings Canyon run...some were out of town and camps...we are Grateful for those who were able to be there...small or large numbers, keep believing that YOU can do this and that anything is possible...we LOVE these type of moments!)...to simply look forward to our daily routine-Monday's routes, every morning run, the strength workouts, the night runs, the CAP runs on Saturdays, and so on...
WE ARE TRULY GRATEFUL FOR THE CHANCE TO DO AND BE A PART OF SOMETHING UNIQUE, SPECIAL, AND AMAZING!  Look for the little things that stand out to YOU!  

OUR CHALLENGE TO YOU FOR THIS WEEK (besides your running of course!), IS TO WRITE A GRATITUDE LIST EVERY NIGHT BEFORE YOU GO TO BED.  Write down a list (small or large) of what you are thankful for on that day (do not repeat items on the following days).  If you do this, we promise you that you will be surprised at how you feel about the next day, about the next run, about the next tough moment...YOU WILL BE AMAZED AT WHAT STANDS OUT!

One Run at a Time...

Looks like we have had quite the first week!  We know that many of you have really worked hard to keep your goals for the week, and many of us are pretty SORE from the "activities" that we have put on our bodies!  PLEASE KNOW THAT IT WILL PAY OFF...YOU WILL RECOVER (if you give your body a chance to, which means sometimes you need to back off just a bit, or you will injure yourselves)...AND ITS WORTH IT! 

Here are a few items to know before we share our thoughts for the week!

• There are a few rumors going around with Coach Q's situation and all of us Coaches...we will chat real quick at Monday mornings run at the Stake Center @ 7:30.  To clear up any misconceptions about stuff (we would rather talk in person then try and write about it).
• We need to clear up any misunderstandings about BIKING miles.  They are very useful for when someone is injured or just needs a change...but the truth is, there is not a real good substitute for running except for running.  I know that biking has helped me stay strong and active (due to my foot), but after MONTHS of doing that, it has definitely left me a little slower than I was (we will blame it on AGE!).    YOU CAN ONLY COUNT YOUR BIKING MILES AS 1/4TH TOWARDS RUNNING MILES.  So if you biked 4 miles, then on dailymile, you can only put your actual mileage as 1 mile of running.  In your comments you should put that you biked 4 miles, and record 1 mile in the distance.  If you have NOT done this on any of your last weeks posts, then please go back and fix it.  Thanks!   Remember, biking is very helpful and a really good cross train and injury help!  In fact, in my prime, I would bike once a week instead of run, just to change it up and give my body a rest...so it is very useful and good...just not a replacement.  Hope that clears up stuff about that!
• I will not be here Thursday through Sunday (a little family vacation! We are running a relay together!).  Coach Lund will be at the First Canyon Run on Friday with the clipboard and watch.  You will need to help each other to get there (ask parents to help if they can).  Don't stress out about your time on this run...just run strong and focus on pushing yourself and being careful.  Get a feel for the Canyon run and trail (watch for the rocks...they will grab you like little trolls!).  Just LOVE the RUN!   This also means that the blog won't be updated until much later on Sunday, since I won't get home until later...but we will still meet at 7:30 am at the Church.
• HYDRATE!  It's going to be in the 90's this week (we lucked out over the last week with cooler temps!).  YOU must take care of yourselves with the temps by hydrating consistently!
• WE ARE DOING THE YOUTH TRACK CLUB AGAIN THIS SUMMER!  Please know that this is our main fundraiser for our running programs.  This is how we are able to do and give many things back to you!  On Tuesday's and Thursday's at 9 am after practice for just about an hour.  YOU will be helping small groups of kids do various activities!  Huge thanks goes out to Coach Bleazard for all the work that she puts in to making this happen...PLEASE BE SUPPORTIVE AND PLAN ON BEING THERE AFTER PRACTICE!   These are the dates that we are doing them.   June 5, 7, 12, 14, 26, 28  and   July 10, 12 

Now to share a few thoughts...nothing big deal necessarily (or maybe it is!), but just a few things!  We LOVE that so many of YOU are excited and really GUNG HO about summer miles!  If there is one thing that we really need to pursue and do better at, that would be our mind set about doing hard things!  And YOU are off to a great start by getting out there, and excited about reaching your goals, working and helping each other!  This is something that MUST continue, because it is one of the DIFFERENCE MAKERS in Running and LIFE!  Please do not let the drive and excitement slowly die off, because it will for some of us...it always does...things come up, the summer gets busy, you feel tired...SACRIFICE is a requirement to be GREAT at anything!  That means looking past how you think you might feel about getting to that Team run, or getting out and running something, just because you are out of town, etc!  We can't just train physically everyday (that is a must), but we MUST always be training mentally, which can be just has hard, if not harder to daily be willing to do the little things that will make a difference!  Start every day with a positive thought about your goals for the day, for the week, and for the summer!  Start every run with a positive idea about what you are going to do for that run...don't focus or dread how far or where it is, or the weather...just tell yourself something good about what you are doing or going to do!  Start every END OF A RUN with a positive thing that you feel you did well on your run!  Forget about what didn't go well and be Happy that you were able to do it and that being a part of this program is special!

If you haven't figured it out...work on being more POSITIVE WITH YOURSELF!  With YOUR RUN, with your goals, with each other, with EVERYTHING!   It's going to be a great week...WE can't wait to be with all of you this week and weeks to come!  Let's get out there and go after those goals/dreams...be smart and careful about your mileage (talk to us if you are unsure), and LOVE what we are doing and what we are all about (Running is just a fun side thing that we do!)

Run on!

LIVE LOVE RUN

Just a few pointers for this first week!   Don't forget that most of this week is on your own (there will be occasional team get togethers), but this is a chance to just get out there and start getting back into a routine and just let the body and mind just enjoy running!

1. Don't over do it!  We know that you have big goals (and you should!), but YOU must be patient and work your way into this.  Overall, we would rather you do a little less mileage, BUT IT BE QUALITY, over lots of slow miles, just to get them.  In time, you can definitely do both!

2.  Take care of yourself!  You must focus on hydrating well, so that your actual run is excellent.  You need to focus on eating well (not skipping meals, and replenishing your body after you run...with in 30 minutes of your run).  You need to sleep well...let your body rest, because we are sure that you are NOT just running during the summer...you have other things that you will be doing throughout the day and summer!

3.  Be there for each other!  Running is not the easiest thing to do, but when we have each other, it is so much more doable and even FUN!  Talk to someone you haven't met before...get to know them a bit...get out of your comfort zone and just introduce yourself!  HELP EACH OTHER!

4.  Just enjoy the RUN!  If you will focus on just LOVING what we are doing and why we are doing it...NOTHING WILL STOP YOU FROM BEING GREAT!  Run with a Smile...even when it gets tough!

5.  Please be safe, courteous, and smart on your runs!  For example, if you happen to do any night runs on the golf course, please know that you must be discrete and give all golfers the right a way! (They should not know that you are around).  Obey traffic laws...we want people to be in awe of you as you run, not disgruntled because you are a punk teenager running wherever you want! 

Please get on the Team TEXT, if you haven't yet...so you don't miss any possible Team runs during the week, or any other info that could get sent out to you.

XC 2018

We hope YOU realize how amazing and special it is to be a part of such a great program and people!  We love sharing and giving YOU everything that you could need, to become the BEST YOU possible.  Be willing to LOVE it back...YOU will be amazed also!