First Meet Complete!

The first home meet of the season is always a nervous time for me. This year was no different, especially with the increased number of participants we have. But, thanks to all the athletes who showed excellent sportsmanship, all the parents from our team and the visiting team who were supportive and encouraging, and all the volunteers who helped and were willing to "learn on the job," we had a really great day. We completed 65 track races, and had approximately 100 kids participate in 2 field events--all in just over 5 hours. That is over 12 events/ hour. WAY TO GO!!!

I want the next meet to be even better. I have mulled over and discussed with parents and coaches ways we can improve. We considered dropping the relay. It takes a long time to plan for and, compared to the other events, a long time to execute. However, it is the one "team" event in the meet, and a chance for runners of all levels to help each other achieve in ways they may not have the opportunity to otherwise. So, for the next meet, we won't be dropping the relay. But, in order to expedite the flow of things, we need more volunteers, particularly at the finish line timing. If you timed last time, WONDERFUL, please help out again! If you didn't help time but think you could, please send me an email. If we have 2 groups of 6 timers that take turns timing the events, we can move those who just ran off to the side to work out placement, times, and awards, while the next race gets set up and started. I believe this will SIGNIFICANTLY improve the flow of the meet.

Inherent with this sport are officiating mistakes. If you don't experience it at some point, you are unusual. Those officiating at the finish line are volunteers doing the best they can, but they ARE human. Use your best judgement when you see a mistake (regarding whether or not to address it), and please remember the goal of this program is to foster positive feelings in our children about themselves and toward the sport of track and field. I was very impressed with the sportsmanship displayed at the last meet, and I know it will continue.

Below are some pictures my dear husband and others took at the meet. Enjoy!!

Important Info for First Meet

Our first meet is just a week away! Here is some important information for you to know:

1. Concessions: The concession stand is our team fund-raiser. Each family supplies one package of individually wrapped items (as categorized below), for the stand, and parent volunteers sell them during the meets. For this first meet, those who practice on Monday and Wednesday will be supplying the food . (Tues,Thurs will supply for the 2nd meet, and we will use what's left for the 3rd). The money we make from the concessions pays for the end-of-season awards and refreshments. Please bring your item to practice this week. I will have a bin there to put them in. If you have more than one child on the team, just choose one item to bring.
Under 5:Package of individually wrapped sweet items (M&M's , Skittles, Granola Bars, Cookies, Etc).
6-7: Package of individually wrapped single serving chips
8-12 Boys: Crackers
8-12 Girls: Gatorades, Soft-drinks

2. Events: Each athlete may participate in 3 individual track events, 1 relay, and 2 field events. Some of the youngest participants may not be ready to do that many events at the first meet, which is fine. If your child has preferences for which events he/she wants to do, be sure to let their coach know at the first practice this week. I plan to have the event schedule ready with lane assignments made by mid-week. Here is the list of available events:
1600m: All Ages
4x100m relay: All Ages (though many 3-4 yr olds may not be ready for this)
400m: All Ages
50yd: 8 and under
100m: All ages
800m: All ages (though few under 8 are ready by the first meet for this event)
200m: All ages
Shot-put: All ages (6lb shot for 8+, 4lb shot for 6-7, and 1lb softball for 5 and under)
Standing Long Jump: All ages

Wednesday Practice Cancelled

Due to the wet weather, we will not have practice this afternoon.

Back Access to the Track

Above: Cherokee Dr. access to the track from Hwy 11
Below: Cherokee Dr. access to the track from Trussville Clay/Happy Hollow Rd.
(Click on images to enlarge)

Wed 3/3 and Thurs 3/4 Practice

The athletes were all able to do some real running at our second practice of the season. All did what is called in track a "pyramid" workout. This is where you run a series of ascending and/or descending distances on the track. Our Yellow and Green groups ran 100m, 50m, 50m, and 100m. They worked on watching their lanes--something that takes some concentration, even for seasoned runners. They also got to practice their first field event of the season: the standing long jump, which they seemed to really enjoy!
Our Pink and Blue groups' pyramid consisted of 200m, 100m, 100m, 200m. They also worked on staying in their lanes. They learned about the staggered start on the 200m, and why starting farther back doesn't mean you are running more. athletes will continue to work on running on the inside of the lanes so they don't run more than their competitors. The 8-12 yr olds also played Foxes and Hounds, which is a fun game and a good speed-burst workout.

First Practice Report of 2010

Our first practices went well. I was able to be at yesterday and today's practices, and I saw alot of smiling runners--even in the frigid temperatures!

As a group we talked about the importance of warming up our muscles and stretching, and then we went through our stretching routine. We also went over team and track rules.

The team then split into their age-groups. The Yellow (5 and under) and Green (6 and 7 yr olds) groups learned the difference between jogging, running, and sprinting. They also learned three dynamic movement exercises: high-knees, bum-kicks, and bounding. Have your child demonstrate these to you if you want to learn, too!

The Blue (8-12 yr boys) and Pink (8-12 yr girls) groups worked on their dynamic movement exercises, too. They are harder to learn than they look, but all were catching on the more they worked at it! We do these exercises to further prep our muscles for fast-movement.

Practice today

If the rain continues to hold, we will still have practice at 5pm today. If parents can stick around or be back by 5:40, we will end early. Today's practice is mostly an orientation and overview of warm-up and stretching routines, so we should be able to wrap it up quickly.