Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
Hey everyone! What a great first week we had last week! I love our numbers and our group! There was a ton of good energy and I was so impressed by the newbies! We love having you! Here is an
amateur video I made of the first week (without music because I am technically challenged)! Other photos I will take this summer will be added
HERE. Feel free to add to this album!
We have some fun things planned this week! On Monday for the rest of the summer we will be running "Vita" (also known as East Mountain Wilderness Park). We've done this ever since I was in high school and who knows how long before. It's such a great workout, especially now that state is back at Sugarhouse. Be tough! It's a hard run, but you can do it! There are lots of people that can barely make it a few miles their first time and they end up crushing it by the end of the season. It's ok to be uncomfortable and to do things that are hard. The first few minutes are the hardest. I bet you will all love vita by the time the summer ends.
I've thought a lot about being uncomfortable and doing hard things and putting yourself "in the arena" this week since I did a marathon! Racing can be so humbling. My training partner didn't have her best day in the race and I've felt so bad for her. I just keep coming back to this quote from Theodore Roosevelt (some attribute it to someone else, but I'll just assume it was Teddy Roosevelt-haha).
The Man in the Arena
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."
I love that. In cross country every day you are putting yourself "in the arena." You are risking a little bit of pain, physical discomfort, maybe even a little bit of social discomfort if you don't know many people yet. Sometimes in races you risk your pride. You risk not quite making a goal. But the risk is more than worth the reward. Putting yourself in the arena is the way to become someone great. Be bold. Allow yourself to do uncomfortable/hard things. Dare to put yourself in the arena.
For me, I've had a hard time sometimes since college, daring to put myself out there in races. Sometimes I have thoughts of, "I'm not as fast as I used to be." "What if it's embarrassing?" "What if someone thinks _____?" I've had to overcome those, just like you will. And I'm proud of myself for racing a marathon on Saturday because not racing would have been the easier thing for me to do. I like being able to experience what you guys are experiencing, so if anyone has race anxiety, COME TALK TO ME. I get it!
One more quote from Steve Magness (probably my favorite running writer and advice-giver):
"We don't avoid hard things because they're hard.
We avoid them because they matter.
Because failing would hurt.
So we play small, coast, rationalize.
But here's the truth: that "safety" is what's really holding us back.
This is the trap of survival mode.
It shows up as self-protection: "I could've done it...if I really tried."
Instead of going all in, we avoid, distract, downplay.
We try to protect the ego, but end up abandoning our potential.
The ultimate irony?
In trying to protect ourselves from failure, we often guarantee it.
Not because we fall short, but because we never try.
Let go of safety. Step into the arena.
That's the only way to find out what you're truly capable of."
One final note on my marathon, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SUPPORTING ME. I felt so loved and supported and it was the best thing. You guys are seriously so cool. I hope I can repay that.
This Week
Note:
- The Theme for Vita is superhero! We'll take a picture of us all dressed like superheros!
- Wednesday is Coach Catch! It's maybe the best practice of the season. Sadly, I will be an easy catch. I'm not sure if my legs will work by then!
- Thursday's destination run is for 9-12th graders who can run 5+ miles. (Talk to me if you think you're an exception-you might be
). - Tuesdays and Saturdays are optional practices. It is not optional to get a run/workout in though! Usually the captains will plan something and it would be great if you could be there! 7th-8th graders should probably take a day off or just cross train on these days. I would prefer 7th-8th graders to run 4-5 days a week and cross train or play another sport the other days.
- If you are in 10th-12th grade you should try to work up to running every day. 9th graders should run 5-6 days a week (possibly cross train one). Saturdays are important for everyone even though we're not meeting.
8
Week 2 | 9
7:00 @ Vita Theme: Superhero!
9:00 Lifting | 10
Run or cross train on your own or in groups. | 11
7:00 @ Davis Coach Catch! 9:00 Lifting | 12
Destination Run 7:00 @ Davis Carpool to Kays Creek Trailhead | 13
7:00 Breakfast Run @ Harrison Skousen House | 14
Run or cross train on your own or in groups. |
Weekly Running Structure/Long Runs
We haven't talked much about long runs yet. I believe the long run is the most important run of the week, especially in the summer. As you get more fit, your long runs will get longer. The girls will work up to about 7-9 miles and the boys will work up to 9-12 miles for their long runs. We have structured our weeks to have the boys and girls workouts line up, however the girls will usually get their long run in on Mondays on Vita (still run on Saturday though) and the boys will meet together on Saturdays for their long run. The boys Monday run usually is about as long as the girls long run so it will work out perfectly.
Periodization
I've been reading this really great book on periodization in running. This basically means that in order to run your very best, you go through training cycles. Pretty much everyone agrees on a base in the summer for fall cross country. This means building mileage and no real speed workouts for a couple of months (we will do tempos and hills and things like that though). We'll start adding speed at the end of July and start to get ready to race. We want to peak in October so I'm very deliberate about when and how much speed we add. Thanks for trusting the process. Parents, I love when you support the process. I have a lot of experience and this is the best way for us to get fast.
At the moment, I'm not overly concerned about paces on runs. Don't go too slow, don't go too fast. You should be able to carry on a conversation during your run.
Don't forget to send me your miles!
Thank you to those that have already paid!
Coach Meetings:
I wasn't able to get through all of the sign-ups last week because of the Kaysville track camp. This week will be better! Come with:
What worked really well for me last season?
What didn't work well?
What are my goals for summer running?
How am I/ can I contribute positively to the environment of our TEAM?
What are my goals for cross country and beyond?
What is my favorite part of running for Davis High?
So grateful for you all and this opportunity I get to be your coach! We're going to have a very successful season because of the work we're diligently putting in right now.
FinalSurge
Be looking for an invitation this week to be added to our TEAM on FinalSurge
Fundraiser
We'll focus on this more next week, but start sending this to people you know that may want to donate to our amazing program!
HERE is the link to donate and share.
Coach Jami
For Parents:
Years ago, Corbin Talley hosted a Track Tuesday night for adults to go to the Davis track and do speed workouts together. I attended for years and decided it's high time I start that back up again! Please come and join! Open for anyone over 18. Retreats:
I wasn't able to get the Farmington Canyon cabin that I thought I'd be able to. Please reach out if you have a connection for somewhere to stay for the boys retreat. :)
It is $60. You can pay cash or check or venmo @davisrunningclub
I know quite a few of you got out during Coach Catch, including Coach Sweat. 
). Once you burn through this energy source, your muscles quit working. Strengthening your muscles will increase the amount of energy you can store. This summer we will strength-train (efficiently and quickly) on Mondays and Wednesdays after our run. 
