With cross country season still looming two months on the horizon, cross
country success is still in your grasp at this critical moment. Laziness increases as the
temperature and humidity crank up another notch.
But, now is your time to log in those ever so critical
summer miles and build a solid base for your
breakthrough season. Distractions increase and desire
can easily fade, but here a few tips from someone
who knows the need the critical need for this.
1. Run with a purpose
You have at least two months before you'll step on the
cross country course this fall. Be prepared.
Whether you're striving to be a Foot Locker Finalist, an
NCAA Qualifier, make the state finals, or crack
the top seven at your school - you need a purpose. Many
runners are driven by success, which is good, but
shouldn't be the only point for running. Friendship
brings some runners together. One of my best friends
since my junior year in high school - I met running
track. (Then I encouraged him to run cross country with
me.) Cherish this time. You'll keep in touch with these
people the rest of your life. Finally, other runners see
running as a ministry where they are able to share their
faith in God with runners. This lessens the stressful
tendency of a sport, which has a tendency to become an
individual success sport. Find your purpose. Write
it where you will see it consistently
2. Register and pay your money for an upcoming road race
As a post collegiate runner with now no official cross
country season - I plan my own races. If I'm low on
motivation - I register for an upcoming race. If you
don't have extra cash for a Peachtree type Road Race
in Atlanta, GA. Look around. Contact race directors. I
was able to get my entry fee (30 bucks) waived in a
half marathon because of my times.
I'm also running a 15K at a University following
their high school running camp. I've competed in
the race before and there's good competition without the
ridiculous amount of people showing up for the
post race after party. High school, college and post
collegiate counselors are in attendance, but a $5 entry
fee is extremely helpful. I found another no t-shirt
option in a 4-miler at another university with good
competition coming in. Don't just look in Runner's
World. Talk to people. Find good races, but don't always
pay the full price.
3.Or if you're a night owl - Run late
Running through your hometown at night can be a fun
and relaxing adventure. During the times, I'm
home when I had an early run or easy morning run, but
wanted to put in some more miles. I snuck out after
9 or so. But, beware for village idiots are out on the
town at this time. Recently, I dodged a Wendy's drink
on a run in the evening. With the coolness of the air,
the not so well lit areas, and the never missed
interesting comments yelled at you - this could be
something you enjoy. And there are plenty of summer
late night races or even midnight runs for your enjoyment.
4.Run early
An All-American I interviewed this spring was an
especially high mileage fan. Being an avid fan of single
runs - she loved putting in miles early in the morning
prior to the hectic agenda of the day. "I then had no
doubt my running was taken care. I could then chill,
hangout, play, work, or whatever," she said. This way
running won't dictate your life. It's just a part of the
day. That way your morning run will help you organize,
relax, or plan the activities of your day. With summer
vacations, jobs, trips, and plenty of social activity
available - your running won't be suffer. And especially
for those South Florida kids this is essential for
your own longevity.
5.Limit your hours on the computer.
I know what you're thinking here. What in the world?
But, the Internet has caused a lot of obsessive
runners because they are consumed by what everyone
claims they are doing. Morning runs become a zero
in the log book because they stayed up countless hours
chatting on AOL. Looking at a computer screen is
one of the fastest ways to get tired. That's why I love
summer camps because internet access is limited. I
no longer had the e-mail checking craze I know. You'll
lessen the pressure of your running as well. You'll
be amazed at how your eagerness for the sport increases
when you focus on being on the trails, road, and
logging miles when you get off your seat off the
computer. Get your running in and then go to the beach,
hang out with friends, socialize, and be young. Keep
computer time to a minimum. (Just for the occasional
email and flrunners.com check)
6.Find a running partner (at least for tempo runs or
long runs)
As a recent college grad, my running partners have
substantially dwindled in number. For the moment
while contemplating job offers, gone are the days of
having access to instant training partners for early
morning runs or weekend long runs. Whether you're in the
running Mecca of Jacksonville or Like Oak(
which isn't actually a lively running community) - find
someone to hold you accountable for you running.
While in the Midwest during breaks from school, I
sometimes drove twenty to thirty minutes to meet
running friends from other schools for tempo runs. I
love cranking through tempo runs solo, but the added
bonus of having someone running alongside you is crucial
to improvement. It might be essential to find
people to bike with you for those necessary long runs. I
enjoy running long, but it's so easy to cut that long
run short with no one around. With a partner, your
chances of giving in to stopping short are much, much
less.
With cross country season still looming two months on the horizon, cross
country success is still in your grasp at this critical moment. Laziness increases as the
temperature and humidity crank up another notch.
But, now is your time to log in those ever so critical
summer miles and build a solid base for your
breakthrough season. Distractions increase and desire
can easily fade, but here a few tips from someone
who knows the need the critical need for this.
1. Run with a purpose
You have at least two months before you'll step on the
cross country course this fall. Be prepared.
Whether you're striving to be a Foot Locker Finalist, an
NCAA Qualifier, make the state finals, or crack
the top seven at your school - you need a purpose. Many
runners are driven by success, which is good, but
shouldn't be the only point for running. Friendship
brings some runners together. One of my best friends
since my junior year in high school - I met running
track. (Then I encouraged him to run cross country with
me.) Cherish this time. You'll keep in touch with these
people the rest of your life. Finally, other runners see
running as a ministry where they are able to share their
faith in God with runners. This lessens the stressful
tendency of a sport, which has a tendency to become an
individual success sport. Find your purpose. Write
it where you will see it consistently
2. Register and pay your money for an upcoming road race
As a post collegiate runner with now no official cross
country season - I plan my own races. If I'm low on
motivation - I register for an upcoming race. If you
don't have extra cash for a Peachtree type Road Race
in Atlanta, GA. Look around. Contact race directors. I
was able to get my entry fee (30 bucks) waived in a
half marathon because of my times.
I'm also running a 15K at a University following
their high school running camp. I've competed in
the race before and there's good competition without the
ridiculous amount of people showing up for the
post race after party. High school, college and post
collegiate counselors are in attendance, but a $5 entry
fee is extremely helpful. I found another no t-shirt
option in a 4-miler at another university with good
competition coming in. Don't just look in Runner's
World. Talk to people. Find good races, but don't always
pay the full price.