8/15 Newsletter

First Official Week

The first official week of our season hasn't concluded yet, but what we've gotten through has already included plenty of work, from neural days (with fun games during rest periods) to long runs, uniforms, Snocker visits, trail runs, Pictionary, Popsicles, and more!

The Week Ahead (Please note later practice times)

Monday 8/18 (3:30-5:15PM):  Neural Day at School

Tuesday 8/19 (5:00-7:15PM):  Aerobic Workout at Course.  We're starting late to accommodate for the senior retreat.

Wednesday 8/20 (3:30-5:00PM):  Fun day/recovery run at school.  

Thursday 8/21 (3:30-5:30PM):  Easy Run at City Park.  This week we will meet at the pavilion across from the Park Center instead of at the PYF Field.

​Friday 8/22 (6:00-8:00PM):  Lunar Long Run at St. Rose of Lima.  Optional team gathering at Luna's following.  Please bring money for treats if you would like to attend.

Saturday 8/23 (7:00-10:00AM):  Mid-America 5K and Easy Run.  We will help with the 5K and then do a brief workout afterwards.

Media Day

Just a final reminder that Media Day is this Saturday.  Athletes need to be on the practice football field in uniform at 9AM.  Once our team picture is finished, athletes are free to go but are welcome to stick around for photos with friends, etc.

Midnight Marathon

This Saturday is our Midnight Marathon.  Our first athletes will start warming up at 7pm, with the actual relay beginning around 7:30pm and taking just over 3 hours.  You can find more information here. 

A huge thank you goes to Travis Meyer for volunteering to grill the burgers and hot dogs.  Chips and drinks will also be available, as well as snow cones for athletes.  Families are welcome to bring other snacks, but to comply with school/MSHSAA policy, we ask that no alcohol be present.  Picnic tables will be available, but lawn chairs are also welcome.

We would prefer that athletes be present the entire time to cheer on their teammates.  Games will also be available.  Parents are free to come and go.  A loose order of the athletes is below if this helps give parents an idea of when their child will run. 

Meet Shirt Pre-Orders

Meet shirt pre-orders should arrive in then next few days.  Athletes will not receive these until they have been paid for.  If that hasn't been done, please try to do so as soon as possible.  Payment can be made by cash in an envelope with athlete's name and purpose of payment, check to Mr. McLain, or by Venmo (mistahmclain) with purpose of payment in the description.

Course Build

Thank you to everyone who signed up to help with the course builds.  The full list of shifts is below.  As you can see, we still have some openings.  Athletes and coaches can fill some of these, but if you haven't already signed up for a shift please do so using this link.

Pasta Dinners

Thank you to everyone who signed up to help host one of our pasta dinners.  As you can see, we still have some openings.  Given the size of our team, we really need every family to step up to help with a pasta dinner.  These are some of the best memories for runners in our program.  We want to be able to continue to offer these opportunities to our athletes, but that is dependent on parents helping out.  

You can see the current signup list below.  If can help with one of the remaining dinners, you may sign up using this link.  

Snocker Dollars

I know there was a desire for athletes to have tabs or balances with the Snocker.  While that isn't feasible, there is another option we will introduce that might help.  In the past I have awarded athletes Snocker Dollars for great performances in races.  These are slips of paper that work like gift certificates and are redeemable for $1 from the Snocker.  This year I have decided to make Snocker Dollars available for purchase.  

Athletes may purchase them from my classroom during regular Snocker hours, or parents may send a payment for an amount of their choice via Venmo with the heading Snocker Dollars, and I will deliver that number of Snocker Dollars to the athlete.  

Unfortunately there are no "Snocker Quarters" at this point, so athletes will still need to purchase $1 worth of items at a time.  But hopefully this alleviates concerns of athletes carrying excessive money around or parents not knowing where that money will be spent.

Team Potluck

Our team potluck is scheduled for 9/2 at 6:30PM.  If you haven't already done so, please RSVP for your family at this link.  When you select the type of food item on the form you are bringing, you can add a more specific description in the comments.  For example, if you select "Dessert", you can put brownies in the comment.  This allows others to know exactly what is being brought.  You can see the full list of what is already being brought by selecting the option at the bottom of the form.

If at all possible I would like to have all RSVPs by Thursday 8/28 so that I can get the chicken order to the Legion before Labor Day weekend.

A New Parent's Guide to Cross Country

We know cross country can be an intimidating sport for new parents, since many might not ever have been to a meet before.  There are often a lot of questions that can arise around races.  While any of our coaches or veteran parents would be happy to offer answers and suggestions, we developed a page of frequently asked questions to serve as a starting resource.  You can access that here.