The Batesman Chronicles

Reader, writer, runner, coach, teacher / Head XC Coach and TF Distance Coach for @xc_emridge

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@markallanbovair @yoder847 I appreciate your challenging people on the cost of club sports. I find it interesting, in advocating the memories built, that so few people here are justifying school athletics in the same way. But school sports don’t travel all summer. Maybe it’s the parents’ memories built.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@EdKrassen Sounds like Sarte’s NO EXIT.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@CoachDistance Progression is unstructured, a lot like a race, so I prefer this with kids (and myself). But good tempo runs, especially LT mile repeats, are a good test for aerobic strength and capacity. So using them to measure quantifiable improvement builds confidence to push it in a PR.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@CoachStackRVXC @CoachDistance Our training differentiation in xc has more to do with running age and strength than if they run the 800m or 3200m in track. Goal of our xc program is to train to run a fast 5k. If there are 800m kids who don’t want that I guess they would not turn out. But that doesn’t happen.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@CoachStackRVXC @CoachDistance Our 400m kids do not do xc. Our 800m kids do xc and train with bigger volume as suitable for their running age. Our sprint coach rarely wants 400m kids to run 800m. Our 800m kids run on the relay, but that’s typically it. It works for us.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@CoachStackRVXC @CoachDistance So your question is not fully answerable for me since your concern is regarding 4/8 kids. That’s the distance where we have our training split.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

Truly humbling to watch the kids I coach. Every day gets better.

[Emerald Ridge XC & Distance @xc_emridge]

This is Conner Wirth (aka C-Biscuit). So good to see him run his best 1600m of the season now when it starts to count most. Second by a lean in the 4A District 3/4 meet. Closed in 59-high for 4:17.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

So fun to coach this girl. @CSUPueblo is getting a winner.

[Emerald Ridge XC & Distance @xc_emridge]

This is Emme Bates (aka The Beast!). She is 4A District 3/4 champion in the 1600m. Beautiful tactical race. She didn’t want to lead so she let the pack come though lap 2 in 81. She closed in 71 for 5:03. “It felt easy,” she said.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@laurenfleshman’s GOOD FOR A GIRL is a brilliantly lyrical feminist tome for anyone who looks to be inspired by someone whose message of advocacy is as fierce as her competitiveness. I want ALL the girls on my xc team to read this. And their moms. AND their dads.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@CoachScribner Solid day Daniel! Well done!

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@CoachQ_Butler 1. Build relationships with kids
2. Build relationships with kids.
3. Have fun.
4. Work hard.
5. Train with the kids.
6. Build relationships with kids.
7. Develop talent.
8. Build relationships with kids.
9. Laugh. Be vulnerable.
10. Build relationships with kids.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@DamionBrooks5 @CoachDistance Otherwise, I want everyone to race the 3200m at least once. So we do a couple time trials at practice to build fitness and pick a spot late season where all new kids can race it full effort. It’s good experience to build confidence for xc summer conditioning.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@DamionBrooks5 @CoachDistance 3200m at a midweek dual meet can be rough. Head coach wants points so expects 3 kids to run it, often uncontested. It’s demoralizing, even if it may be the only pathway a kid can earn pts in a season. So I have my varsity kids run LT effort and then come back a double 16 or 8.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@isaacegbertwood @CoachDistance @lyleweese How many reps of this were done? I can see 3 x rep with some rest b/w bouts. Maybe 3 x 2k w/ 3 min rest. Sort of like a modified Michigan.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@CoachDistance @xc_emridge has our 3200m time trial on Thursday. I love it because I hope in with the kids and (try to) get after it. First meet, everyone runs the 3200m. Then choice of 16 or 8. Then all do 4 x 4.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@connorbates_xc Maybe clock can be 30 seconds.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@AngieMentink That was a great game. Tough defense by both teams. Great energy in the gym. I was rooting for the Jags, but such an incredible story for the Sumner boys and the adversity they have faced. Props to your hubs.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

@CoachDistance Yes. Long fartlek, fast finish, PR. My favorite is our Bridges Run, a section 4 miles out and back up an old 5% railroad grade. But keep in mind there is also merit to the steady long run at LR pace. Easy to overdo it on a LR at the end of a heavy week.

[The Batesman Chronicles @BatesmanChrons]

I wish it was as easy to fall back asleep when I wake up at 2 AM as it is when I hit my snooze button at 5:45 AM.