The end
depends upon the beginning. With distance running the key to a successful
season is the amount of miles logged during the summer pre-season months.
Our season begins today.
Today we begin with the summer training. Many of you have
never run before, or at perhaps are concerned about the challenges of
competition. The way to succeed in September and October is to prepare
now.
Some of you may be asking what is cross-country.
Cross-country is the ultimate team sport. Nothing less. It centers around
a group of young men and women who work together to succeed in middle
distance running. It is an essential sport for any athlete (basketball,
soccer, baseball, and track) who wants to develop stamina, increase speed,
or participate in a varsity sport with an opportunity to make lasting
friendships and become a part of the high school experience.
The cross-country season begins in August and ends in
November. During the season, you will be involved in numerous invitational
races, travel to Tampa, Orlando, and North Carolina for meets, and will
train at a variety of trails and parks throughout the state.
The summer conditioning schedule enables you to build up the
stamina, speed, and strength to compete during the season. It is essential
that you participate in our summer session if you are to be a member of the
team in the fall season.
Coaches’
Corner: World Famous
Welcome to my running
world. As you develop into cross-country athletes, you will learn about
yourself, your teammates, and your quirky coach. This is the nature of the
adventure you have embarked upon. A running team is a group of individuals
who sacrifice together, grow together, and suffer together. Cross-country
is not about running to get in shape. It is not about running to add to you
resume. Those are perks. Cross-Country running is about fire and guts.
It’s about mud and sweat. It is about allowing yourself to exceed levels
you never anticipated. Get used to it.
“I would rather be
ashes than dust. “ Jack London wrote those words. Within these words lies
the core of my coaching philosophy. You must press from the first day of
conditioning to the final seconds of your last meet. To leave nothing
behind. As I say, the end depends upon the beginning. To achieve great
things you must first consider the possibilities, and then set yourself on
fire.
We are world famous
because I believe us to be so. In order to achieve greatness, you must
first change your attitudes. From the day you commit to our team, you are
world famous. It is time to believe that you can make a difference. You
are not here to gather dust. You are alive, on fire, and willing to rise
from the ashes like the great phoenix and bring success and glory to our
school and to yourselves. Be someone. Live for a purpose. Succeed.
BE WORLD FAMOUS.
Practice
and Conditioning Guidelines
These
guidelines apply in season as well as during conditioning.
In order to be successful, an effective, disciplined
practice is critical. It is your responsibility to ensure that you are
present and focused.
Practice is not
optional.
Cutting corners, literally, or figuratively, reflects
negatively on you and your team. Do nothing that identifies you as an
individual, or undermines the team.
Have fun, but remember the purpose of practice is to
strengthen you and lead you to success in competition. You cannot help the
team, by giving less than your best.
No runner will compete until they have completed two weeks of
strong, effective practices, based on the coaches’ evaluation.
Students who are suspended from practice or injured will not
be eligible to compete until they have returned to the practice regimen and
are prepared to compete.
We will be practicing on trails off campus, as well as on the
school track.
In season, we practice six days a week. Some athletes will
be expected to practice in the morning, as well.
There is no such thing as no practice. If the weather is
intolerable, we will work inside until the danger has passed. Rain, by
itself, is a positive running environment. It helps to keep the body
temperature down.
Veteran runners are held to a higher standard when it comes
to commitment and fitness.
Quality
of Life
The
following thoughts may prepare you for the challenges of cross-country:
Rest and sleep are essential to athletic and academic
success. At least 30 minutes of relaxation a day and proper sleep (bed no
later than 10:00PM) will make you a better athlete.
You must eat
properly. 4-5 healthy meals a day can help you with your fitness goals.
Avoid fried foods, and focus on a balanced diet that includes fruit,
vegetables, milk, and water. You must have 3-4 liters of water a day, in
addition to the water you consume during practice or conditioning. Proper
hydration is essential.
Compliment at least
one person each day.
Snack
pack Ideas:
breads, muffins,
crackers, rolls, bagels, graham crackers
While
the schedule is still tentative, I want you to be aware of our primary
fundraiser for the fall season. This will be the fourth year we have run
this event, and will include the boys’ and girls’ teams for the first time.
It is an opportunity to work together, have fun, and to challenge yourself
to success, while gaining valuable funds for the team and publicity inside
and outside the school.
As we get closer to the date, I would like you to consider
businesses, associates, and family members who might be able to pledge money
to you for our team. These pledges will be based on total miles completed
by the team for a 24 hour, non-stop ,relay- based run.
More on this rewarding team building event will follow.
Parent’s Handbook: Some Ways You Can Help
Thank
you, parents, for what you do and for what you are about to embark upon. In
the course of a season, you will find yourself traveling to a variety of
parks and events throughout Jacksonville and beyond. You will hear the
gripes and complaints of tired, sore athletes, and have to deal live with
them as they challenge you each day. To help my team achieve success, I
have included some suggestions for our fall season:
Schedule
doctor/orthodontist appointments at 2:00PM. You child will miss minimal
class time, and minimal practice time
If your child
commits a “transgression”, please do not punish him by removal or
suspension from the team. Their participation in athletics teaches them the
right lessons. There are many other actions that can be effectively taken.
Please feel free to contact me, and perhaps we can work out an appropriately
difficult reminder of how they should behave.
Help emphasize
the importance of commitment. Practices should be a priority to a
team-centered individual.
Schedule SAT/ACT
tests on dates that do not conflict with our season.
The athletes
bear the responsibility of getting out of bed, arranging rides, and
behaving. Please do not baby them, or make excuses for them.
Students will be
held to an appropriate appearance standard. This may include hairstyles,
jewelry, and clothing. The ultimate team sport has the ultimate team rule.
Do nothing to identify yourself as an individual.
You may be asked
to provide logistical help, including, transportation, filming and taking
pictures, Gatorade, fruit, and snacks for meets, Friday evening pasta
dinners.
Thank you for all you do. In many ways, your role is more
challenging and “coach-like than mine. I have access to your sons and
daughters for 2-4 hours of stress; you are responsible for the recovery
phase. Help your child take responsibility for rest and recovery. They
cannot grow as athletes if they do not take care to eat, sleep, and relax
appropriately.
One last thought: Please feel free to join us on our
Saturday and Evening Runs. You might want to run with us, or walk for
fitness. The Cross-Country Family is a tight group. You are welcomed to
become a part of it.
What
will Cross Country Do for You ?
Cross
Country is not a sport that sells itself. We compete off campus, without
the fanfare and school acclaim of other team sports. Most of the excitement
generated is by us and for us. Still, I believe that there are some
specific things that can be gained:
Cross Country Will:
Provide a
foundation for current and life-long fitness and health.
Provide an
opportunity to have success in a sport that is directly measurable and
requires nothing more than commitment and work.
Provide a team
situation where life-long friends are made and memories of good times and
accomplishments last forever.
Provide a chance
to be different and make a difference.
Provide you with
motivational and organizational skills that will benefit you the rest of
your life.
Kick-Off
and Closing Picnics
We
will begin the season with conditioning on May 28th at UNF. This practice
will be conducted alongside our first parent team meeting. The meeting will
be held at the picnic area along the University of North Florida Trails.
Athletes will begin conditioning runs at 9:00AM. Parents are invited to
join us at 10:30AM. You will have an opportunity to meet the coach, and the
parents who you will be standing alongside at countless meets this year.
You will also have the opportunity to ask any question s about the summer
session and the competition season.
We will close out our conditioning season with the fourth
annual Guana River Run and Beach Party. Parents and athletes are all
invited to run and then relax in the sun for a cookout on the beach.
Schedule: Tentative
August 8: First day of School
August 17: Time Trial @ FCCJ North
August 24: Time Trial @ FCCJ North
September 2-3: 24 Hour Run
September 6: Conference Meet
September 10: Invitational Meet
September 13: Conference Meet
September 17: Invitational Meet
September 20: Conference Meet
September 23-24 Great American in NC
September 27: Conference Meet
October 1: Flrunners.com Invitational in Tampa
October 4: Conference Meet
October 14; Gateway Conference Championship
October 22: District Championship
October 29: Regional Championship
November 5: State Championship
Mandarin High
School 4831 Greenland Road
Jacksonville, Florida 32258
Cell Phone: 904-434-1342 Home Phone: 904-620-0291 Website:
www.mandarin.groupfusion.net
Fax: 904-260-5439
Email: schmitt_j@firn.edu
