1) Run your best
2) Have fun
Usually, running well goes hand in hand with having fun. A happy runner is a fast runner. However, sometimes there have been cases of people having TOO MUCH fun and not enough of the running. That said, here are some guidelines for the season. Follow these and odds are it will be a successful season.
In short, there are 2 rules. SHOW UP and TRY YOUR BEST. That's all we ask. How easy is that?!?!?! Sadly, it's never easy. Here's the long version:
- Practice. In order to run to your potential, the most important thing is to RUN. Practice is a must. Practice is 6 days a week (7 for some). You can find the entire practice schedule if you click "Practice Schedule" above.
- Commitment. Track is the definition of commitment. Unlike some other sports where you can practice 2-3x a week and improve, that is not the case in running. In order to be successful there must be dedication and a no days off mindset.
- Priority. We have 50 kids signed up this season for Spring Track. I can guarantee there will be some that get it and some that don't. Those that "get it" are the ones who prioritize track and shift other things around in order to meet team expectations. They have the mindset of practice comes first and telling others "I can't do _____ because I have track." Those who "don't get it" say "I can't come to practice because _______." As I've said in the past, those who get it often have animosity towards those who don't get it, whether it be spoken or unspoken. Prioritizing track admittedly can be difficult and takes sacrifice, but if some people can do it then the expectation is that all of you can. Sacrifice is what makes being on a team and success so special. We all have to be in this together.
- Meet Attendance. As noted on the schedule, not everyone will run at each meet. A few days before each meet I will announce who is running at the meet. For all not running, I will say if I think you should come to the meet and practice there or stay back at school to practice. Those not running at a meet are always encouraged to come as we all know running in front of people cheering you on is a big help.
- Busses. Being that we are not a fully funded school team, we do not get busses for every meet. Usually we have busses for the after school meets but have to meet directly at the Meet Site itself on the weekends. The week of each meet I will alert everyone if there is a bus or not. I would like everyone to stay at each meet for the entire time, but for the meets with no busses it's not fair of me to ask your parents to help provide transportation and then stay for 5-6 hours. Without parents the season wouldn't be possible! But I and the team certainly appreciate everyone staying as long and often as they can.
- Fee. In the coming days you all should be getting a memo from the school about a fee in order to be a part of the Spring Track team. The letter should explain everything but let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this. The money we collect goes towards uniforms, meet entry fees, and the busses that we do get.
- Injuries. Injuries suck, but if you should get injured, you are still expected to come to practice each day. If you have physical therapy that's great but check in with me. Even if you are injured you can still be a huge part of the team.
- Varsity Letters. In order to get a Varsity Letter, you must either score in one Varsity Meet (top 6 relay or individual) or run in three Varsity Meets. The Varsity Meets are Skyland Relays, Somerset County Relays, Skyland Champs, Somerset Champs, and all the State Non-Public B Meets. At my discretion I may award letters to those who show exceptional effort in practice / contribute greatly to the team.
- Cuts. No one will be cut based on performance. Cuts will only be made in the case of unexcused missed practices and lack of effort / conduct detrimental to the team. You are expected to tell me directly if you have to miss practice for a valid reason (don't tell someone to tell me you can't come). After 2 unexcused misses you will receive a notice. For each miss after that it will be a meet suspension and eventually removal from the team.
- Spring Break. We will practice over Spring Break. Plan accordingly.
- Team Building. Our captains will be organizing some team bonding activities outside of practice. A tight knit team is a successful team.
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