WELCOME TO WHXC 2015 - DAY 1

Last evening I ran my final "summer" run in preparation of our Cross Country season.  Since school ended in June I've become a morning runner after decades of running late in the day.  But over the past few days I have intentionally run late in the day to attempt to simulate the conditions under which we will be practicing for the next few weeks.  It will be hot and the humidity will return over the weekend.  Dress, hydrate and eat accordingly.  Plan to run at an easy, conversational pace today and tomorrow.  By now, you know what we have planned for today.  Prepare mentally.  Physical preparation, to quote a great football coach, "is, what it is."

The uniforms are in!  I'll have them today for you to take a look. For those who know the uniform situation, I apologize for repeating my plan and the reason for it.  Last year it became evident that Cross Country and Track needed new uniforms.  The XC uniforms were old and tattered.  The Track uniform inventory had dwindled to the point there were not enough and those that remained were four different styles.  After inquiring, I was surprised to learn that purchase of the uniforms was the responsibility of the team.  To make a long story short, I went ahead and purchased uniforms (top only) in sufficient number to outfit our teams for some time.  I am not certain I will ever recover the cost, but I am hoping that each team member will purchase the uniform top at my cost of $ 32.00.  I am hoping to avoid the need for fund raising which more often than not involves sales of unwanted items with parents covering the entire cost.  In my experience, purchasing the uniform at cost therefore saves money.  Thank you for understanding. If there are questions or concerns regarding this matter please speak to me.

Boys 2X on left, Girls Small on right

Mass Milesplit has created a ranking of Massachusetts Cross Country teams based on the best times of returning runners.  Whitman Hanson Boys are ranked 23rd out of 175 teams.  Our Girls are ranked 47th out of 174 teams.  I was asked why our teams are ranked so "low" by another member of the Athletic Staff.  My response was simple . . . pre-season polls, whether subjective or, as is the case here are somewhat objective, are meaningless.  I am absolutely confident, based on the attitudes of our athletes coupled with the maturation of some returners and our new additions, both teams will be ranked considerably higher when all is said and done.  As it is in both our training and our racing, it's where you finish, not where you start that determines your success.  Today we start our climb . . .