Congratulations on completing your first full week of practice! I promise that things will get easier if you just stick with the program…You’ll be amazed at how much you’ve changed by the end of the season…

In this edition, I wanted to talk about the secrets for success in distance running…We’ll focus on each of these at different times throughout the season, but here’s an overview…

#1 DREAM BIG!

 Believe in yourself! If you can dream it, you can do it…One of the biggest lessons of being a distance runner is learning to tell that little voice in your head to go away when it’s telling you to STOP…Just tell it to go away and DO WORK!

#2 DO WORK

 Running is hard…It only gets easier if you DO WORK! I promise that you’ll be amazed at your progress by the end of the season if you just follow the program… 

#3 GET WHEELS

 Take care of your feet and they’ll take care of you! A good pair of running shoes is critical to avoid injury; especially this early in the season…For an expert opinion on proper running footwear, visit Flo at Runner’s Lane at the corner of Bouquet and Soledad Canyon…

#4 GET FUEL!

 Just like a race car you’re only as good as the fuel you put in your tank…Drink lots of water all day long…Drink a sports drink or chocolate milk after practice…And make sure you eat lots of carbs and lean protein in your diet…Listen to your body! If you’re tired and sore look at what you’re putting in your body…

#5 GET REST!

It’s our job break your muscles down at practice…It’s your job to rest and build them back up at home…If we do this right, you’ll be stronger than when you started…If we don’t, you could get injured…It’s important to get sleep and take your days off when we’re not together…

I’m so excited to be off and running again! This week we’ll really pick up the pace by adding more conditioning to our training schedule. Stick with it and I promise it will get easier and easier!

Yours in Running,

Coach Darren

“The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses—behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.”
Muhammad Ali