2015 Irving Middle School Cross Country

Athlete Expectations:

Academics (Grades)
Eligibility will be checked and determined weekly (every Friday).
Athleteswill be deemed ineligible and will not be allowed to compete the following week if:
failing (earning an ‘F’) any class
earning 2 or more ‘D’ in any classes
Behavior
Athletes are representing themselves, the cross country team, Irving Middle School, and District 89. Athletes will therefore be held accountable for their behavior and actions while at school, practice and/or competitions.
Any athlete that gets in trouble (referral, suspended, etc.) will sit out of the next competition.
Attendance
Practices/Meets will be held three days a week: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays
If possible, athletes need to let me know ahead of time that they will be missing practice.
Athletes coming to practice late must have a pass from a teacher. If they do not have a pass, then they will be sent home and not allowed to practice.
Any athlete that accumulates 3 unexcused absences will be terminated from the team.
Have Fun and Try Your Best!!!

Typical Practice Schedule/Routine:

Practices will be held on
Tuesdays:3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Wednesdays:2:45 pm – 4:30 pm
Fridays:2:45 pm – 4:30 pm
Practices will start and end in Mr. Matheson’s Classroom (Room 227)
Practice Routine:
Attendance/Announcements
Warm-Up
Dynamic (plyometric) Stretching
Workout
Cool Down
Static Stretching

What Equipment is Necessary?

Required Equipment

Good Pair of Running Shoes
A pair of soft-soled shoes is the only equipment a youngster needs for running.
A good pair of shoes is the most important item a cross country runner needs. Do not simply buy the most expensive pair you can find, however, since you need a type of shoe that best fits your feet and running style. If you don't know what type of shoes to buy you need to go to a running store since they will know the difference and generally have a better selection than the general sporting goods stores.
Running with improper shoes can quickly lead to an injury. Running shoes at the middle school level will probably last a year, and should be replaced after that amount of time to prevent injury.
Comfortable Running Clothes (Shirts, Shorts, Pants, Socks)
Loose, comfortable clothing which allows easy movement through a full range of motion is all that is needed for running. In warm weather, runners prefer to wear T-shirts and shorts. In cooler weather, a pair of sweatpants or tights, and a sweatshirt or sweater, are practical additions to your runner’s wardrobe. After running, it is important to replace wet, sweaty T-shirts with a clean, dry top of some kind to avoid catching a chill (hypo-thermia) from cooling-off too quickly.
Supportive Undergarments
Water Bottle
Warm Clothes (Wear these if you have a long car ride home or on cold days)

Optional Equipment

Watch
Racing Flats/Spikes (special shoes designed to be worn only when racing/competing)
Foam Roller, Lacrosse Ball, and/or Massage Stick
Sweatband
Sunscreen

What Should I Eat?

Children and adolescents have specific nutritional needs because of rapid growth during their developmental years. Proper daily nutrition requires six major nutrients. Each plays a different role in the creation and maintenance of good health.
The six nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water. The role of carbohydrates is to supply energy to the brain and nervous system and can be stored in limited quantities in the muscles. They are the principal fuels for anaerobic energy production but can also be used by the aerobic system. The role of proteins is to provide structural material for growth and the repair of muscles, bone and damaged tissues (cuts, bruises, arthritis and tendinitis). They are necessary for a healthy immune system. The role of fats is to be the primary fuel for the aerobic energy system. The body can store unlimited quantities of fat. Small quantities of dietary fat are needed to provide essential fatty acids for the digestion process and to transport certain vitamins.
The other three nutrients, vitamins, minerals and water, do not provide energy (or calories). Vitamins assist in the production of energy from the previous three nutrients and are essential for construction and maintenance of healthy tissues. Minerals assist in the transformation of fuel into energy. They also help maintain healthy tissues and regulate body fluid. All tissues require water for normal functioning. Water transports nutrients in the digestive tract, bloodstream and cells. It regulates body temperature and transports waste out of the body.
Athletes should be aware that a large amount of water is usually lost through sweating during an intense activity. Adequate fluid intake during exercise is essential and critical. Therefore, athletes must be given time to replenish any fluid loss. Frequent water breaks might slow down your workout, but if the temperature is high, athletes can lose a significant amount of water through sweating. During intense or prolonged workouts, this depletion can become extreme.
A good rule of thumb is that athletes should drink several cups of fluid in the hour before activity, every 20 minutes throughout the activity and afterward until all fluid has been replaced.
Athletes have to take responsibility for the quality of their nutritional intake as there is no one correct diet for runners. Every athlete, however, will benefit from eating a well-balanced, low-fat diet of complex carbohydrates, fruit, vegetables, fish, chicken and small amounts of red meat. Runners should be encouraged to drink water often during the day and permitted to drink during your workouts. It is generally best for runners to avoid eating 2-3 hours prior to a workout and 3-4 hours before a race. In the end, they are the performers and need the proper energy fuel for success.

What Can I Do About Nagging Injuries?

By training your athletes on a regular basis, following all the components of good, sound workout schedules, in a safe environment, you can prevent most injuries. However, the best-laid plans cannot alleviate all circumstances of injury.
Some of the more common injuries your athletes (especially those new to running) may face include shin splints, runner’s knees, hamstring pulls, strains, sprains and stress fractures. Common conditions that occur with runners include blisters, athlete’s foot and sunburn. More serious conditions include dehydration and heat disorders.
HOW CAN YOU IDENTIFY AND TREAT AN INJURY?
Indications of inflammation of soft-tissue injuries are known as “SHARP”:
Swelling
Heat
Altered function of the injured part (limited movement)
Redness
Pain
“RICE” is the common method of caring for the inflammation of soft-tissue that occurs following injury:
Rest – to avoid making the injury worse
Ice – firmly in place for 20 minutes, every 2 hours for the first 48 hours
Compression – use a stretch elastic bandage
Elevation – during and after applying ice, keeping the injured limb elevated above the heart as often as possible
A medical doctor should check out any injury that doesn’t subside in a week’s time.
Warming up and stretching is good injury prevention. Avoiding downhill running and avoiding running on hard and/or uneven surfaces is good advice, especially while recuperating from injury.
During the cross country season everyone will feel sore at one point or another. It's a difficult sport and you will be using your muscles in new ways so soreness can be expected at times. Normal soreness means your muscles are rebuilding and gaining strength. I highly recommend purchasing a foam roller, Foot Rubz (lacrosse ball), and/or massage stick to massage sore muscles. While a professional massage of the sore muscles would be the best option, it is too expensive for most at the middle school level. A foam roller, lacrosse ball, or massage stick is a decent substitute for a massage. I have massage sticks and Foot Rubz balls (similar to a lacrosse ball) that athletes may use, but these items cannot be taken home.