This is a Cross Country Blog, so

I will use it for that purpose.  And with today being the final day of the Decathlon and Heptathlon, Cross Country season starts tomorrow.  The plan is to hold a meeting in the school cafeteria following dismissal on both Wednesday AND Thursday.  Prospective cross country athletes need only attend one of these meetings.  Of course, if I don't speak clearly on Wednesday, you can return on Thursday to see if I've improved or to ask follow-up questions.  The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the summer training plan, take a look ahead to our fall schedule, introduce coaches (Coach Schlicting, Coach Coletti and myself) and Captains (Seniors Adam Solari, Brandon Hager, Nick Hanley for the Boys, Victoria Boss and Victoria Carleton for the Girls) for the upcoming season and cover any other topics which may arise.

Before that, you may want to take a look at our summer training plan:

https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3Afa7def63-a152-46b9-a7b7-f670e8252e59

I'll summarize with a few comments.  Our training philosophy can be expressed in two very simple equations:

EFFORT + COMMITMENT = DISCIPLINE

DISCIPLINE = IMPROVEMENT/SUCCESS

The pyramid on page 3 of the plan reflects, in simple form, what I hope you are willing to commit to.  Starting with 6 weeks of easy miles, building up to a level of between 30-50 miles, everybody will establish a base that will prepare them for workouts which will be slowly added to your training regimen in week 7.  One rule we try to live by is that we limit increases in total weekly mileage to 10%.  This means that novice runners, in order to reach the 30 mile goal in week 6, will start week 1 at about 18 miles.  Emerging runners will start at 24-25, and elite runners 30-31.  Everybody should aim to reach their goal of 30, 40 or 50 miles during week 6.

As further detailed in the training plan a 5 Mile workout replaces an easy day during week 7 for each of our 3 groups.  Assuming everybody has met their base mile goal, this workout should be accomplished easily.  In week 9, a second workout replaces another easy run.  Again, if you are following the plan, you should have no problem.

Some of you may have been hoping for a calendar, or something similar, telling you what to do each and every day during the summer.  Easy on paper, but once you've fallen off the wagon so to speak, it is impossible to catch up.  This plan allows some flexibility and can be more easily tailored to your schedule.  What I'm hoping for with this year's plan is that committed, disciplined runners will emerge to bring success to a program which is ready to make an impact in the Patriot League and beyond. TO SEE THE COUNTDOWN TO OUR FIRST XC PRACTICE CLICK ON THE PICTURE AT THE TOP OF THE SCREEN.

You may have questions, comments or concerns.  I am here to respond to all.  My cell phone number is 781-367-8487.  Feel free to text your message, I usually do not answer incoming calls.  My email address is stevegeo@post.harvard.edu  .  I will get back to you almost immediately if you correspond with me there.

This is the most excited I've been for some time for XC.  We have 12 of our top 13 boys returning and we've picked up at least one outstanding athlete from another sport on the girls side, with the hope for more.  It should be a fantastic season and I can't wait to get started . . .