Cross-Training Potpourri

Run: 1.2 miles in :12:00 min. @ 3:05 p.m.
Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 73°F, 40% Humidity, Wind: ESE @ 8 mph; feels like 73°F.
Course: Around the perimeter of our school's property in the Rochester suburb of Greece, NY.

Following Saturdays' trail race, I've had something of a difficult time getting up and about, though, as is often the case with these things, the more I do get moving, the easier it is. That is, until I stop with hopes of resuming at a later time.

Case in point, yesterday (Sunday) my wife and I went for a two-mile walk to the neighborhood Blockbuster and back. During this time, though I need to "waddle" at first, by we were half way there (about half-a-mile) things were moving in a relatively (albeit rickety) motion. Later that evening, after settling in the check out the evening news, was a different story... not so easy to get up for some H2O!

Today, during Modified Track & Field practice, I had a slightly similar, though more positive, experience. Following a brief team meeting at the start of practice during which time updated schedules and picture order forms were distributed and team gear checks collected, we had only the shortest amount of time to train with the kids in our smaller more specialized groups. Though I had hoped my fellow coach might like to go for a run, I "volunteered" and took ten students (six boys and four girls) out for a "distance" run around the parameter. Keeping in mind that these are just seventh and eighth graders, many who have little previous distance training, and will not run more than 1500m for time during the season, a sensible objective of a easy-pace perimeter run seemed just about right.

As the coach, I find myself performing more of a fartlek, picking up pace to sprint to the back of the pack to support those who are falling behind, then boogieing up to the front to recommend increases or decreases in pace for those students leading the run.

Surprisingly, the biggest challenge is keeping the pace consistent enough to meet the needs of both groups, some of whom, quite honestly may never choose to run the event in a scrimmage or meet. It is, at nay rate, rewarding to see kids interested in running longer, especially given the distance, which for a twelve-fourteen year old seems (and feels) like ten miles.

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!