As expected, the team won Regions last Tuesday. We took medals for 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, and 11th. 3 of my runners hit personal records including my 2 freshmen. Things are looking promising for next year even though I'm losing 3 seniors.
We head to the State championships next Friday and run on Saturday.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Region Championship Poems
So I give the CC team motivational reading for the van trips to meets (some of them I've posted here). Traditionally, the Region Championship Meet is a poem. Yes, I, the scientist, also write poetry (thank you liberal arts education). To give some background information, I am first including last year's poem. Last year was our first year to find success as a team. Starting this CC program 4 years ago, I had had individuals qualify for State at Region, but never a whole team. Last year was our first year to be good enough to. Last year was also marked as the first year I had such hard workers: They stepped it up in training and I stepped it up in coaching (and it obviously worked). Here was their motivation:
Ready
Today, a team approaches a race
In their heads they imagine that suicide pace
The pain will come and they must run through it
And they’re questioning themselves: Can I do it:
“today we cannot suffer defeat”
“i wish this was practice, i really hate meets”
“running that hard, it might make me sick”
“will i finally feel an endorphin kick”
“am i going to be able to stay with that guy”
“what if at mile 2, i’m just ready to die”
“this is too intense, it was supposed to be fun”
“why was it again, that i wanted to run?”
Their minds are flooded with thoughts so heavy
As they ride this van trying to get ready
But as time goes on they start to steady
And the thinking shifts, yes we really are ready:
“remember those days coach had 20 demands”
“2 minute half miles, calf raises, handstands”
“bleachers, situps, 1-legged wall sits that kill”
“push-ups, throwdowns, and running the hill”
“recall all those tuck jumps, squat thrusts, power crunches”
“leg lifts, supermans, high-knees, and lunges”
“remember running 8 miles in an hour”
“no way the opponents can match our power!”
A calm comes over them, resolve in their hearts
Now they just can’t wait for the race to start
Confident and proud, they approach the line
The thoughts of a team, a unified mind:
“we run fast, we run far, we run into the wind”
“we’ve conquered the workouts that would do you in”
“we’ve stretched farther than bodies and minds should bend”
“through it all, we’ve endured, and we’ve become men”
“yeah we’ve been there, done that, now we’re ready to go”
“see us, fear us, because soon you will know:”
“for the last several months, we’ve been put to the test”
“and today we will prove that we are the best!”
Today, a team approaches a race
In their heads they imagine that suicide pace
The pain will come and they must run through it
And they’re questioning themselves: Can I do it:
“today we cannot suffer defeat”
“i wish this was practice, i really hate meets”
“running that hard, it might make me sick”
“will i finally feel an endorphin kick”
“am i going to be able to stay with that guy”
“what if at mile 2, i’m just ready to die”
“this is too intense, it was supposed to be fun”
“why was it again, that i wanted to run?”
Their minds are flooded with thoughts so heavy
As they ride this van trying to get ready
But as time goes on they start to steady
And the thinking shifts, yes we really are ready:
“remember those days coach had 20 demands”
“2 minute half miles, calf raises, handstands”
“bleachers, situps, 1-legged wall sits that kill”
“push-ups, throwdowns, and running the hill”
“recall all those tuck jumps, squat thrusts, power crunches”
“leg lifts, supermans, high-knees, and lunges”
“remember running 8 miles in an hour”
“no way the opponents can match our power!”
A calm comes over them, resolve in their hearts
Now they just can’t wait for the race to start
Confident and proud, they approach the line
The thoughts of a team, a unified mind:
“we run fast, we run far, we run into the wind”
“we’ve conquered the workouts that would do you in”
“we’ve stretched farther than bodies and minds should bend”
“through it all, we’ve endured, and we’ve become men”
“yeah we’ve been there, done that, now we’re ready to go”
“see us, fear us, because soon you will know:”
“for the last several months, we’ve been put to the test”
“and today we will prove that we are the best!”
I look back on that poem now and remember the themes that stood out that year: yes they did all those things. We had many conversations about "becoming men." Those quotes in the first quoted stanza were actually quotes I heard on the van on a regular basis. Funny how different 2 back to back seasons can be. Last year we ended up being Region Runner Up. This was school history: the first time a CC whole team qualified for state, the first TSSAA CC Plaque our school recieved! But we didn't get first: we got runner-up.
This year, we are even better! In fact, we've beat all our Region opponents in every meet! Our Region Championship, our school's first, is pretty much on lock. This year was marked by some crazyness and alot of sillyness but the kids have worked even harder than last year's bunch. The following poem is their motivation for Tuesday's Region Meet, and like last year's poem it also fits the feel of the season.
A Season’s Work
A season’s work of both athlete and coach,
Is coming closer to its completion.
So now as the Region meet we approach,
I can’t help but enter reflection.
Every team, every year has a flavor unique,
And ya’ll definitely stand out in your spot.
From the way you run to the way you speak,
Everything is over the top!
No other season can match this insanity:
Not just the flipping, singing, and shaving of legs.
You guys went crazy with all that profanity,
And exceeded your quota of “that’s what she said”s.
But this coach can simply let all of that be,
When I have a team of hard workers like you.
Running to the point of blood in the pee:
What more could I expect you to do!
I’ve never had runners running this fast or so far,
Never had so many wanting to do extra.
You’ve set a new standard, you’ve raised the bar.
You’ve brought to Crockett a new running era!
Now in this new era we head to a meet
To take on opponents we’ve already beaten.
We come into this thing already elite,
So what’s the big deal about Region?
Well one year ago, we placed runner-up,
And that plaque still stands our accuser.
Yes it was a victory, even school history… but
In our hearts we knew 2nd is just 1st loser.
So three months ago we set to our goal:
Deeper in training we immersed.
And by the Dresden meet, we had taken control.
This year, no doubt, we’ll be first!
No, this Region is not the Region prior:
It’s domination on exhibition.
Today, our championship is what we acquire
Our season comes to its Epic fruition!
A season’s work of both athlete and coach,
Is coming closer to its completion.
So now as the Region meet we approach,
I can’t help but enter reflection.
Every team, every year has a flavor unique,
And ya’ll definitely stand out in your spot.
From the way you run to the way you speak,
Everything is over the top!
No other season can match this insanity:
Not just the flipping, singing, and shaving of legs.
You guys went crazy with all that profanity,
And exceeded your quota of “that’s what she said”s.
But this coach can simply let all of that be,
When I have a team of hard workers like you.
Running to the point of blood in the pee:
What more could I expect you to do!
I’ve never had runners running this fast or so far,
Never had so many wanting to do extra.
You’ve set a new standard, you’ve raised the bar.
You’ve brought to Crockett a new running era!
Now in this new era we head to a meet
To take on opponents we’ve already beaten.
We come into this thing already elite,
So what’s the big deal about Region?
Well one year ago, we placed runner-up,
And that plaque still stands our accuser.
Yes it was a victory, even school history… but
In our hearts we knew 2nd is just 1st loser.
So three months ago we set to our goal:
Deeper in training we immersed.
And by the Dresden meet, we had taken control.
This year, no doubt, we’ll be first!
No, this Region is not the Region prior:
It’s domination on exhibition.
Today, our championship is what we acquire
Our season comes to its Epic fruition!
Expect another blog post in a few days confirming our Region Championship!
Friday, October 14, 2011
What Champions Are Made Of
Coaching the physical aspects of running is easy for me; I can make kids faster. It's figuring out how to turn them into Champions that's harder. And I'm not talking about just winning a big meet, I'm talking about developing in them the characteristics of champions. Because I believe this is what separates good coaches from great coaches. Amby Burfoot (Boston Marathon winner and editor of Runner’s World magazine) lists the following 9 characteristics as the key aspects that make up a champion runner. I agree with him. What follows each characteristic is me expounding it into what is being done or what needs to be said or done to members of my team. I guess I'm giving the blog world a peak into my coaching mind.
1. A Champion has the courage to risk failure, knowing that setbacks are lessons to learn from.
Some of them don’t have the courage to risk failure; they think: ‘if I run any harder, I may not finish the race.’ Or they’re scared of training really hard for their goal and then not achieving it, so they think: ‘what’s the point, I’ll just be ok with being decent.’ I’m calling them to man-up, take a risk; if they fail, they will learn from it. And better to do it today than at Region or State.
2. A champion uses a race to gain greater self knowledge as well as feedback on physical improvement.
It’s more than just getting faster and stronger or getting a good body. If they have not learned something deeper about themselves (their character, their values, their spirit) then they weren’t looking, and they have missed the most beautiful aspect of this sport. I’m calling some of them to look deeper.
3. A Champion trains thought processes as well as the body.
Some of them do not train their brain. All the extra miles and conditioning workouts a person can squeeze in won't maximize performance if they aren’t also training their thoughts. They have to train the negative thoughts out and practice the positive ones. I can’t get inside their head, so I’m calling some of them to get their minds in check.
4. A Champion understands his athletic weaknesses and trains to strengthen them.
You can’t fix what you don’t acknowledge. Some of them would rather make excuses for their weaknesses instead of recognizing them and then working to fix them. It’s ok to know where you are lacking; everyone has weaknesses. Just admit them and start training to fix them.
5. A Champion actively creates a life of balance, moderation, and simplicity.
Most, maybe all of them, fail at number 5. But I don’t care if they are just teenagers; they are runners and they can live at a higher standard. What’s out of balance: their priorities, their diet, their sleep? What’s not in moderation: their time with a girlfriend, their language, their times of acting silly? I’m calling them into more self control, to simplify and keep things in their life in check. That amount of mental fortitude translates into mental toughness in a race. Plus it earns them more respect, respect from me, other adults, other teams.
6. A Champion views competitors as partners who provide challenge and the chance to improve.
Some of them would rather talk bad about the opponent, cut them down, or be obnoxious. When really they should be using them to better themselves. A loser calls his competitors names because he cannot beat them. A champion works to beat them yet maintains dignity and grace if he can’t. I’m calling some of them to grow up.
7. A Champion understands that running performances are like a roller coaster, with many ups and downs, and that you have to accept both the good and the bad.
Some of them are living in a past defeat or past success. If that past bad race is bringing them down and hindering them from their best, then I am calling them to forget about it, stop living in the past, bad days happen. Today is a new day and it has the potential for a great run. If they are living in that past good race, they need to understand that that too is in the past and does not give assurances that today will go as well; they can’t get complacent. Today is a new day and they may have to work harder to have similar results.
8. A Champion enjoys running for the simple pleasures it provides.
Some of them have forgotten the simple pleasures of this sport. If they can’t remember the last time they simply enjoyed a run, then I am calling them to go have fun. Don’t worry about a medal or a time, just have fun and enjoy it.
9. A Champion has vision, dreaming of things that haven’t been and believing they are possible.
Some of them still don’t believe we can be top 3 in the state. Some of them don’t think we can beat USJ at Best of the West. Some of them have given up on hitting that time or getting that place they were once shooting for. They have no vision, no dreams, no desire for greatness. Why not? Why are they doing this if they’re not striving for greatness? They can’t settle for ‘pretty good.’ I am calling all of them to bigger and better dreams.
Region is in a week, State is in 3. I want them to Race like champions, Talk like champions, Act like champions, Start living as champions. If they can, then by the time we walk into the State meet, regardless of where our times end up and how things play out, we will be able to complete our season as Champions. I don't want to just be a good coach, I want to be a great coach.
1. A Champion has the courage to risk failure, knowing that setbacks are lessons to learn from.
Some of them don’t have the courage to risk failure; they think: ‘if I run any harder, I may not finish the race.’ Or they’re scared of training really hard for their goal and then not achieving it, so they think: ‘what’s the point, I’ll just be ok with being decent.’ I’m calling them to man-up, take a risk; if they fail, they will learn from it. And better to do it today than at Region or State.
2. A champion uses a race to gain greater self knowledge as well as feedback on physical improvement.
It’s more than just getting faster and stronger or getting a good body. If they have not learned something deeper about themselves (their character, their values, their spirit) then they weren’t looking, and they have missed the most beautiful aspect of this sport. I’m calling some of them to look deeper.
3. A Champion trains thought processes as well as the body.
Some of them do not train their brain. All the extra miles and conditioning workouts a person can squeeze in won't maximize performance if they aren’t also training their thoughts. They have to train the negative thoughts out and practice the positive ones. I can’t get inside their head, so I’m calling some of them to get their minds in check.
4. A Champion understands his athletic weaknesses and trains to strengthen them.
You can’t fix what you don’t acknowledge. Some of them would rather make excuses for their weaknesses instead of recognizing them and then working to fix them. It’s ok to know where you are lacking; everyone has weaknesses. Just admit them and start training to fix them.
5. A Champion actively creates a life of balance, moderation, and simplicity.
Most, maybe all of them, fail at number 5. But I don’t care if they are just teenagers; they are runners and they can live at a higher standard. What’s out of balance: their priorities, their diet, their sleep? What’s not in moderation: their time with a girlfriend, their language, their times of acting silly? I’m calling them into more self control, to simplify and keep things in their life in check. That amount of mental fortitude translates into mental toughness in a race. Plus it earns them more respect, respect from me, other adults, other teams.
6. A Champion views competitors as partners who provide challenge and the chance to improve.
Some of them would rather talk bad about the opponent, cut them down, or be obnoxious. When really they should be using them to better themselves. A loser calls his competitors names because he cannot beat them. A champion works to beat them yet maintains dignity and grace if he can’t. I’m calling some of them to grow up.
7. A Champion understands that running performances are like a roller coaster, with many ups and downs, and that you have to accept both the good and the bad.
Some of them are living in a past defeat or past success. If that past bad race is bringing them down and hindering them from their best, then I am calling them to forget about it, stop living in the past, bad days happen. Today is a new day and it has the potential for a great run. If they are living in that past good race, they need to understand that that too is in the past and does not give assurances that today will go as well; they can’t get complacent. Today is a new day and they may have to work harder to have similar results.
8. A Champion enjoys running for the simple pleasures it provides.
Some of them have forgotten the simple pleasures of this sport. If they can’t remember the last time they simply enjoyed a run, then I am calling them to go have fun. Don’t worry about a medal or a time, just have fun and enjoy it.
9. A Champion has vision, dreaming of things that haven’t been and believing they are possible.
Some of them still don’t believe we can be top 3 in the state. Some of them don’t think we can beat USJ at Best of the West. Some of them have given up on hitting that time or getting that place they were once shooting for. They have no vision, no dreams, no desire for greatness. Why not? Why are they doing this if they’re not striving for greatness? They can’t settle for ‘pretty good.’ I am calling all of them to bigger and better dreams.
Region is in a week, State is in 3. I want them to Race like champions, Talk like champions, Act like champions, Start living as champions. If they can, then by the time we walk into the State meet, regardless of where our times end up and how things play out, we will be able to complete our season as Champions. I don't want to just be a good coach, I want to be a great coach.
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