About 30 team members each day came to running camp to join in on the training, team building, and overall fun. I think the camp met all of our goals, and thus was a smashing success.
Daily Themes of Camp:
Monday: The Power of One. Cross country is a team sport, and the way to reach our potential is to come together as one team. If we don’t listen to one another, if we aren’t willing to engage with our team, if we don’t get along, if we try to make our own way instead of going the direction of the team then we will not reach our potential. One the other hand, if we are willing to commit to one another, we can achieve incredible success. Remember the lessons of the Magic Spider Web, the Alligator Swamp, and the team skiis.
Tuesday: See Your Future. Our college panelists talked about their experiences in college as students and as runners. Remember that your perception of yourself impacts your life. If you see yourself as a college student, then you will be more likely to pursue going to college and succeeding in college. Likewise, if you see yourself as a runner, you will have more success as a runner. And if you want to run in college, there is a place for you. Consider being a college athlete.
Wednesday: The Power of Fun. Athletics are about competing and doing your best and trying to win. But at the same time it should also be fun. In fact, you will not be able to do your best if you do not have fun. We need to find a balance of being focused, having goals, working hard, but also staying lose and having fun.
Thursday: Race Strategy. Mark Mandi gave us some great information on how to approach a race. His main points included: 1. Your workouts are an important part of race prep. The coach sets the workouts. Do what your coach says. 2. Sleeping and eating well are important pieces of race prep. 3. Try to know your competitors. What are their strengths and weaknesses? How do they like to race? 4. Know yourself as a runner. What are your strengths and weaknesses. How do you prefer to race? Talk with your coach about these things. 5. Have clear routines. Find food that works for you to eat prior to running. Know the timing of your warm-up (when to start warming up). Do the same warm-up each time. 6. Know the course you are racing on and have a race strategy. 7. The first mile is important. Know what pace and place you need to be in at the mile. Your coach can help you figure this out. 8. Try to pass people throughout the race. Keep moving up. 9. At the final mile, you should be in the position that we want to finish. You can only pass so many people at the end. 10. Know where you are at the end of the race. Where is the 800 mark? 400mark? 200 mark? 11. Everyone hurts at the end of the race, including the winner. To finish well you have to be tough and push through the pain.
Friday: Giving Back. All of us have been helped by people in our lives. We should commit ourselves to giving back to others around us. As a team, we are going to choose a project to work on together so that we can give back.
