
One thing about the 4th of July race is that it symbolizes the half way point between school being out for the summer and school starting back up again in August. Official practice begins on August 13th. We have made some great progress over the past 5 weeks and I'm hoping the next 5 weeks leading up to the official start of the 2012 season will bring us even closer to our TEAM goals.
When we set down for our TEAM goal setting BBQs I left feeling very encouraged about what the TEAM wanted to accomplish this fall, especially at the League and State meets. I think we set very achievable goals that are very accomplish-able if we are all working towards them as a TEAM together. However, every year this has always become the most difficult part of the summer. It's the time when we've been at it for over a month without racing, and there are still 7 weeks ahead of us until we race again. It is very easy at this point of the summer to let our consistency lag, to miss runs, not get in our miles on Saturdays, and to not worry about how we perform in the fall because it's so far away.
I feel very strongly that this time of year is the point where the great TEAMS will separate themselves from the average TEAMS. Those TEAMS that want to be competitive at League, State and NXN will get the job done now, during the months when others are not running. That's why we choose to meet and run all summer long together as a TEAM, to achieve the things that are the most difficult to accomplish. Sweeping a League meet or winning a state title is extremely difficult. But if you prepare in advance ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN on the day of those races!
There are a lot of talented TEAMS in Colorado. I would venture to say that most of them are every bit as talented, if not more so, than we are. The only way I know to separate ourselves into becoming one of the few top TEAMS in the state is to consistently work hard together in the off-season and then carry that work ethic into the months of Sept, Oct and Nov. This means being at conditioning everyday, running on your own when you are on vacation/out-of-town, running on the weekends, and following your training plan as it is written.
Right now we are in a good place, but we could be better. There is no substitute for running everyday. Even if you are out of town or on vacation, you can still run. Follow the schedule we have laid out for you so that you can do your part. Your TEAM is counting on you to be at your best during the season.
The things that are the hardest to achieve are always the ones that are the most rewarding to accomplish. It's a long road to the top. Your TEAM is behind you if you are willing to do your part. Let's make the 2012 season the best yet for VISTA NATION XC!!!