8/29 Newsletter

Getting Serious

We've reached race season.  That meant our first race-pace workout.  But even with a bit more intensity, we still managed to have some fun, especially at our first pasta party of the year.  We also got to play kickball with the elementary students at after school care and "pulled out" a few more intense games during our neural day before Anna emerged as the champion.

The Week Ahead

Monday 9/1 (Labor Day):  No practice.  However, athletes are asked to try to get in a long run at some point during the day.

Tuesday 9/2 (3:30-4:30PM):  48-Hour Workout at Course.  Course Build will follow from 4:30-6:30, with family potluck afterwards.

Wednesday 9/3 (3:30-4:45PM):  Pre-Race Workout at Course.

Thursday 9/4 (3:30-???):  Home Meet.  Athletes should change at school following dismissal before heading over to the course.  More details below.

Friday 9/5 (3:30-4:45PM):  Fun Day/Recover Run at school.  3:30-5:00pm

Saturday 9/6 (On Own):  Easy Run and Strides.

Home Meet Preview

Our team first hosted a meet back in 2012.  Our course has undergone a number of changes since then, but it remains our first 5K of the season.

Unlike Jackson, our meet isn't segmented by grades.  And unlike some of our later meets, there will not be separate races for JV and Varsity.  There's just a single race each for boy and girls, with our entire team racing across the two.

This year we have 15 teams committed to our meet, with roughly 250 runners.  That's a bit down from last year but still well above average for the history of our meet.  Initially spectator parking will be in the grassy area immediately inside the entrance to the picnic grounds.  We only let buses park inside of the course loop itself to prevent any potential race obstructions.  Overflow parking is across the Highway in the Miraculous Medal Shrine's lot.  We ask that any of our parents and athletes who are in good walking shape to park there in order to save space for grandparents and others who aren't capable to walk long distances, as well as visitors from other schools.  

Like Jackson, our start and finish are reasonably close to each other.  For spectators who don't want to move much, the best place to watch is probably at the intersection where the road into the picnic grounds meets the gravel loop around it.  Runners will pass through that spot three times during the race, and it is within sight of the start and finish as well.  For those who want to be super supportive, the loop around the back field is always where athletes struggle the most and could use a lot of extra encouragement.  

This year we will also be using Big River Race Management for timing, so live results should be available here on race day.  We will be doing our senior night presentation and holding an award ceremony after the girls races, so please stick around if possible.  Medals will be given to the top 15 individuals in each race.

Second Course Build

Our final course build will be next Tuesday (9/2) from 4:30-6:30.  We will finish course boundaries, continue repairing the course, paint the course, work on the parking areas, clean and prep bathrooms and the concession stand, set out picnic tables.  A list of the duties is below.

Family Potluck

Our family potluck will be at 6:30pm on 9/2 following our course build.  If you RSVPed to the family potluck but haven't paid, please try to bring payment to the meal or pay via Venmo (mistahmclain).  Cost is $3 for all individuals high school age and up and $2 for all children in grades K-8.

Pasta Dinners

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help with a pasta party.  At this point we still have one dinner (10/29) that needs a second family to help.  If you have not already signed up to help with a dinner, please consider doing so.  ​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 you can help with one of the remaining dinners, you may sign up using this link.  

Meet Snack Fee Reminder

As addressed in the parent info page, this year we are pivoting from parents bringing snacks/drinks to coaches organizing this.  To cover the costs of this, we are asking that each family pay a fee of $40.  If a family has not already paid this fee, please do so.  This can be paid via cash (in an envelope with name and "Meet Snacks on it), check to Mr. McLain, or Venmo (mistahmclain).  ​

Snocker Dollars

Snocker Dollars are still available for purchase. These are slips of paper that work like gift certificates and are redeemable for $1 from the Snocker.  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 (mistahmclain) 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.

A Video for Parents

As we head into our first meet, I wanted to share a video on how to be an awesome parent during races.  The video was made by Coach Howard Russ, head coach at Beavercreek High School in Ohio.  He's led his squads to multiple state championships and a trip to Nike Nationals, but what I think he's best at is establishing great team cultures.

His video addresses parenting during races as well as anybody, and so it is worth a listen.  This might be something great for parents to play during the trip down to the Jackson Meet.