Cross Country

Tips

Don't Complain
This was my number one lesson. I think that people don't realize how much they complain...and when you complain a lot, people get annoyed. If you have a goal, do the work in getting there, and don't complain about how hard workouts are. I know I will use this tactic in my own life next time I think about complaining about something. Nagging pains? Sure. But complaining and asking to do less reps of a workout? "Come on bro."

I think complaining is just a natural thing we do to make conversation...such as, "omg it's so hot out," "omg it's so cold out," "omg this workout is hard!" But after a while, the people you complain you will start getting tired of it, trust me. Just do the work – get it done. You'll be proud of yourself when you finish a tough workout and push through.

Be Competitive
One runner I know is very competitive, and competitive with himself in practice. She has a great attitude and works hard every day. Now I'm not saying to make every practice a race, but if you are given a times you needs to hit, and you need to be will to push yourself  hard to hit those times, as opposed to having an "I can't" mentality. If given a pace, you need to thing say oh WOW! but then push yourself to get it done. We can all do this on our runs and workouts. You will surprise yourself by how you can push yourself. Sometimes I get workouts and paces where I really doubt myself. Yet somehow it gets done. Compete with yourself and work to make yourself better every day.

Be Cocky
One of runner has said to me the other day "I don't care if you're cocky and confident, but just don't act like people need to bow down to you." Very true. He is very confident in his abilities, but also supportive of everyone else. There is nothing wrong with being cocky – in fact, it might even pump you up before races! Tell yourself that you're fast, strong, faster than your competition...change your frame of mind.

Talent Doesn't Matter, Attitude Does
This is something new I've learned this season. Of course every coach wants a team of all-stars, but we know that everyone has different skill levels. What I learned this year was this: Look, I don't care if I run a 20 min. 5K or a 30 min. 5K. If I show up to practice every day, and work hard, THAT is what matters and makes an impression on me. I don't want complain to about my race times after a meet when I'm not putting in the effort every practice.

Don't Judge By Running Form
The first day of practice, say this one kid shows up and he gets taken from one look and he is thought to be an average runner. The form was not your typical running form. Well, guess what, she is the number one runner on our team and making improvements every race. If you saw her run, you would be surprised too! So I guess the age old adage don't judge a book by the cover is true in most senses ;)