Coach Mikes Blog

in Practice by coach mike on 13 Aug 2008

Nice practice today. Had 3 freshmen boys come out, knew about 1 of them, it was nice to see 2 new ones. Also added a new jr, who could help us, once he gets in shape. Had one new freshmen girl, which leaves us at 8 total, would be nice to add a couple girls. Jones and Kubicki looked strong and little Jake ran well, Clark had a good first day. Nix and Goff will be there ready when race day comes, the boys could be good as a team, going to need a number 5.

The girls were spread out, its tough to tell, the freshman from Raccoon looked ok for her first practice.

The date for the state meet is the date, I have listed, November 8th or 9th (the Saturday),  I checked it on the IHSA web site.

Wednesday is going to be hill day-we finished with hill sprints-Hill are just another speed workout.

in Practice by coach mike on 08 Jul 2008

Didn’t have a real big turn out, but at the same time was not surprised. Most of high schoolers that we have had were there, but no new ones. The ranks are thinning. Maybe more will show on Wednesday.

in Practice by coach mike on 06 Jul 2008

We start 6:30 am July the 7th. Make sure you are there. The “Running Club” open to all high schoolers and graders that plan to run cross country this fall. We meet 3 days a week for the month of July. Good time to get some running in to start your day. Hope to have a big turn out. Good way for the young runners to meet some of the older kids that have been in the program for a few years. Need to create  some  excitement for the sport.

in Practice by coach mike on 24 May 2008

What makes a good high school cross country runner? The summer time-putting your mileage in. There is no way around it. How many miles? Well it depends on your maturity physically. Too many and your body breaks down-not enough then by the end of the season your body breaks down. You have to know your body-how hard can you push it? If you are new at the sport, then you need to start out with fewer miles-don’t pull a run Forrest run type of training. Have a plan. If you are an incoming high school freshmen, trying starting with 20 miles a week, in 5 or 6 days. Then each week add some mileage, maybe 20%. For a young runner try maxing at 30 to 35 miles by the time mandatory practices start for your team. Mix things up-throw in a long steady run one day each week, from 8 to 10 miles. Also cross train-do a bike ride-swim. I would also try to plan at least one if not two road races for the summer, but don’t over do the road races, I have seen too many young runners, enter every road race in a 50 mile area and end up injuring them self. When planning out your weekly runs make sure to include some routes with hills, there is nothing like a hill workout to provide some leg strength later on in the season. A few other things to think about-get your rest, eat right, take your vitamins, you are not super man or super woman! Take care of your self and for the sake of your feet and legs make sure your training shoes are in good condition!

in Practice by coach mike on 25 Mar 2008

Some days make you wonder, what the heck was I thinking? Today was one of those days. Just when you thought you had a group that wanted to work, someone sends you a different group. Where did they come from? They look the same, they have the same names as the guys from last week, but they are different, goofy, too much playing around. Oh well tomorrow is another day. Makes you wonder what they feed them some days. Oh Lord give me patience! I need to get some things done that is for sure, I need to work with the vaulters, the discus throwers, the jumpers, the hurdlers, sounds like everything but the distance guys, Coach K has that covered. Besides all of that I need to work too. Lord give me strength! I need help!

in Practice by coach mike on 14 Mar 2008

Every kid is different. Specially the younger kids.  I try not to treat everyone the same. Some need more attention  than others. The older guys want to establish their  place  in the pecking order, let the new kids know “whose boss.”  The problem with that is the younger kids sometimes are more timid, maybe a little scared, and you don’t want to chase them off.  I understand the order of things, the  seniors  had to go through it, so they expect the  new guys to  put up with it.  So we let it go some what.  I would like the older  guys  to  be  leaders, show the way, show what it takes  to  get  better and  be  good.  Most of the time  it takes a couple of  years  to learn great work habits.  Some  guys  have it the day they are born,  Matt  Brummel  for one, works  hard all the time  wants to get  better.  But most will do the bare minimum  or less.

in Practice by coach mike on 11 Mar 2008

We were able to take the whole team outside yesterday. But it was colder than I thought. Why do boys not come prepared and girls do? Probably didn’t get a lot done, but it was good to be outside.  A few more came into the camp yesterday and that is good, numbers are important for success in a track program. The Freshmen need some more numbers, so we need to work on that. Today Tuesday the weather is going to be nicer as is Wednesday. Other good news for the day, some of the guys that were going to be gone this weekend, have decided to change their schedule and make the meet. The 1600M relay team wants to try and break the record.  Practice for “sprinter” consisted of 5 laps of straights and curves. Distance went on a long run and then need some speed work on the track. Some type of ladder work out. The shot putters got some good work in under Coach Bookhout.

in Practice by coach mike on 03 Mar 2008

Today felt like practice. Good numbers. Still more to come. New help. Coach Bookhout came in to help with the throwers. Doug Jones and Coach Cummings worked the runners, you might ask what I did? I told them I would be in the track office! Only kidding! I worked the PR with the kids.  We still have plenty of work to do and there will be days when the extra help won’t be there.  Just have to build on things and get people in shape.  Still need someone to work with the vaulters.  First meet is this Saturday, indoors!

in Personal &Practice by coach mike on 09 Feb 2008

Practice was good today. Starting to see some things shape up a little. Some bad news a young jumper/hurdler torn up his ankle at basketball practice last week. Going to see a specialist. We are keeping our fingers crossed. I just liked the way the guys are working. I can’t wait to be able to go outside and get some real work in!

Jon Williams showed up today and will help the throwers a ton. Still waiting on some young runners to show, I pass the word that if you were going to the first indoor, it was time to start showing up. ( I run a loose ship at this time of year.)

Talked to Ryan Knapp or Kidnapp’s parents last night and he is getting better, he had come up with pneumonia and will be out a few weeks. Get well soon and get back on those hurdle drills.

One final thought, and this is for my good friend and co-coach Kevin and his wife Pam. Pam has a type of cancer, that is rare and slow moving. They have been in Texas all week at research center, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with them. Be safe.

The world some days seems to be spinning out of control, keep your family and friends close, so we will have more hands to hang on with!

in Practice by coach mike on 09 Feb 2008

Feb 4th and we are practicing outside. Just a few days before we had 6 inches of snow on the ground and today we are on the track, running. 60 plus degree. Jones is ready to go, he is ready to race. Thats good and bad. We don’t want to peak too many times before the end of the season. Looks like the numbers will be ok, not great but ok. Should be able to put to gather a good team. Need to work on the throwers. Big holes to fill in the shot put.