7/19 Newsletter

A Busy Week

This newsletter is coming to you live from Naperville.  We've had a busy week:  two camps and a full slate of practices in town.  It's a lot, but all of it good.

Week Ahead

This week will be something of a return to normal, although we'll still have a few changes of pace.

Monday 7/21 (7:00-8:30AM):  Neural Day at School

Tuesday 7/22 (7:00-9:00AM):  Progression Run at Back Loop of Course

Wednesday 7/23 (7:00-8:00AM):  Fun day (Color War) at school.  The paint is "washable", but in the past we've found that to be a bit iffy.  Please wear clothes you don't mind getting a splash of color.  Goggles might be a good call as well, and those with lighter hair might want a hat/shower cap.  

Thursday 7/24 (7:00-8:30AM):  Easy Run at Legion Lake Trail.

​Friday 7/25 (7:00-9:00AM):  Levee Long Run in the Bottoms.  Optional Team Breakfast to follow at Al's Place.

Seminary Picnic Help

​We are still in need of athletes to cover a few more shifts at the carousel during the Seminary Picnic.  If an athlete has not already signed up for a shift, please do so using the link below.

Claim a Shift

At the most recent picnic meeting, there was also a need expressed for the fence line along the highway to be weedeated the week prior to the picnic.  This is where the signs for picnic sponsors are hung, and so it is important that is area look as presentable as possible to promote awareness for these sponsors and their support in the future.

I (Mr. McLain) plan to be out at the picnic grounds on Monday, July 28 at 6pm to work on the weedeating.  If anyone else with a weedeater would like to join in the fun, that would be greatly appreciated by myself and the picnic committee. ​

Impact Testing

Despite the astronomically low (7 in 100,000) concussion rate in cross country, all high school athletes are required to complete the Impact Test every two years to establish a baseline of cognitive function in the case of a potential concussion. 

According to our Jack Rigdon, our athletic director, this year the only athletes who need to complete an impact test are new athletes and those in Grades 9 or 11.

The test is completed in the high school computer lab and takes approximately 40-45 minutes.  This year's tests will be available on Monday July 28 and Tuesday July 29 from 11AM-2PM.  Athletes may come to school to take the test at any point in that time frame on either of those two days.  If those times do not work, you will need to contact Coach Rigdon ([email protected]) to schedule an alternative time to take the test.

Home Meet Shirts

Just a reminder that home meet shirts are available for pre-order until 7/30.  This year pre-ordered shirts will be $13, as opposed to $15 at the meet with no guarantee of one being available.  If you would like to order shirts, you may do so using this form.  

Team Warmups

Our athletes typically have a warmup that they wear to meets over their uniform and take off prior to races.  They are also allowed to wear these to school on Fridays during cross country season.

This year our athletes have chosen to go with a 1/4 zip pullover instead of the long-sleeve shirts we've usually done.  We would also like to restrict these to members of our team.  For parents, family, and other fans, we are hoping to get a team store up and running where other team gear can be ordered.

You can find the design below.  Warmups may be ordered using the form linked here.  Cost for the warmups this year will be $40. ​ We would like for the warmups to be ready in time for our athletes to wear them on the first Friday after school in session.  In order to guarantee that, orders must be submitted by July 30.  

Physicals

Just a reminder that a completed physical form as well as the pre-participation form must be submitted by the first day of official season (8/11) in order for an athlete to be allowed to practice.

Forms may be either be submitted to the school office or to Mr. McLain.  The current physical form can be found here (please only submit the final page).   The pre-participation form can be found here.  

Hard copies of both forms will also be available at practice this week.  Athletes can ask Mr. McLain for a copy.

Shoe/Spike Sales

We're getting to the time of year when many running stores (online and brick and mortar) run sales on shoes.  If you need a new pair of trainers and/or spikes (or will in the foreseeable future), now is often a great time to save some money.

For those who don't know what spikes are, you can find a full explanation in this post.

For the next few weeks I'll be including details I find about any sales online or at local stores:

Online:
--First to the Finish has some pretty steep discounts on a number of models of spikes.   Do make sure they say cross country or XC.  Track spikes (even distance ones) are not the same thing. 
--TC Running Company has some spike models on sale for men as well as for women.

In-Person:
Nothing yet, but many stores are getting in shipments of the newest models on the market, so expect shoe sales to start dropping next week.

Menstrual Health Matters

This is obviously a topic that only applies to half our team, but for our girls it is incredibly important, as a regular period is one of the clearest indicators that a female athlete is receiving the rest and nourishment she requires.  

This topic was one addressed by professionals at our girls camp this week as well as the Heartland Distance Summit that Coach McLain attended last month.  You can find a summary handout from FASTR (Female Athlete Science and Translational Research) at Stanford University, but you can find a deeper dive here.  

Maintaining active conversations between athletes, parents, and family medical providers on these topics will help keep our runners healthy and thriving both on and off the course.