@coachjayjohnson and I'll add, I LOVE dead period. 3 weeks in June to install fundamentals, then kids have to carry to ball a bit on their own. Teaches ownership + self-direction, you discover your leaders + who needs help w. internal motivation... and, it *forces* me to take time to recharge!
@coachjayjohnson IMO, kids will usually rise -- or sink -- to your level of expectation for them. If a coach assumes their athletes can't train as well outside a formal setting, the runners will, too. My concern during "dead period" is usually for our guys doing too MUCH.
@hansonsrun@stevemagness It's soooo hard to learn as a coach that this is OK -- so much early work is helping young runners discover 'there's more in there' that you worry cutting things short may teach them to bail when it's tough. But I've found explaining the "why" of workouts makes that a non-issue.
@coachjayjohnson But also, HS kids aren't a monolith! I like new runners to see their times coming down steadily... but it's powerful when experienced HSers come away thinking, 'Wow, I ran X with on a breezy day when I didn't feel sharp... I know there's a TON more in there.' 2/2
@coachjayjohnson Emphasizing "a chance to PR" can do kids a disservice, IMHO. I like them to learn to measure success by quality of effort, not the clock: when they can still feel wildly successful in horrible weather or with heavy legs, PBs will come when conditions align. 1/2