Developing the Female Distance Runner

1. Developing the Female Distance Runner Understanding the journey: Junior high through High School and beyond

2. Introduction • Years of Experience I have noticed certain patterns coaching female distance runners. • Head Coach at Warren East High School 1989-1994, 1995-2001 • Fortunate to have coached 4 girls state champion teams, 2 boys state champion teams, 5 state runner-ups ( 4 girls, 1 boys) , and 2 middle school boys team state titles. • 2002 Finalist National Girls XC Coach of The Year NFHS and NHSACA

3. Topics of Discussion • Developing the outstanding female distance runner. I have broken down into four stages. • Stage 1 “New Sensation” • Stage 2 “Honeymoon” • Stage 3 “Transition” • Stage 4 “Reality and Recommitment • Coaches must understand what the runners are experiencing.

4. Stage 1 : The New Sensation • All of my teams have had a 5th, 6th,7th, or 8th grade girl show up and dominate older girls. • Important as a coach to understand what is happening. • Characteristics of the “New Sensation”. • Physically not mature • Limited Training achieves at a high level. • No preconceived idea of pain. • Primitive racing strategy-runs scared. • Major meets runs to the front • No Knowledge of Sport / likes spotlight

5. Stage 2 : “Honeymoon” • Characteristics of the “Honeymoon” • Confidence of runner is off the charts • Expectations are high due to previous year • - parents, coaches, and media • -illogical thinking, last year was so good imagine the future. • Limited training

6. Stage 2 cont.: “Honeymoon” • Talk of a future in running from the runner / parents • Scholarship talk, still high achievement on little training • Plans of Individual state title and yes even The Olympics • The “I” syndrome is present. • Individual catering to runner is expected by runner / parents • Racing strategy is primitive, run to win.

7. Stage 3: Transition • This is the most trying year of career • - Make or break the runner • -Usually happens in the 9th or 10th grade

8. Characteristics of Transition • Expectations/ confidence high early in year • Training has typically been same • 1st time pain is associated with training and racing • Doubt shows up for first time. -notices who the competition is. -wonders if same results as past are possible, not as easy as it used to be. • They now know the competition by name. • Early season can be devastating • -Interest in sport wavers

9. Transition characteristics cont. • Excuses for performance - burnt out -injuries (real / ???) • New sensation steals spotlight • Reality of consistent training needed • Extreme amount of pressure -Parents / self imposed • Cross roads: quit or continue -season is usually below standards • Injuries also can occur -over do training trying to make up difference

10. Transition Cont: • Arrival of Puberty-not always conducive to distance running. • Very self conscious about physical changes • Difficult to survive this stage • Strain on runner / parents -emotionally, physically, and mentally draining for all • At the end of this stage they are either GONE or progress to the next stage.

11. Stage 4 Reality / Recommitment • Still a part of the team and very experienced • Physical and Mental Maturity take place. • Final Progression of High School career.

12. Stage 4 Reality / re-commitment characteristics • Knows what it takes to be successful athletics/ academics • Training is a part of life- no bitterness toward budding stars • Train properly: diet,rest, and use of knowledge • Racing strategy is complex: pacing, courses, weather, etc. • Coach-able- now know true abilities-, role on the team, realistic of future • Leader- perseverance recognized by all

13. Stage 4 cont: • Self confidence- genuine satisfaction with self • Team oriented- now understands importance of team • Recognizes and empathizes with “new sensation” on team. • Shares experience with others

14. Over view of Progression • Four stages- New sensation, honeymoon, transition, and reality /recommitment • Coaches must understand- mental, emotional, and physical pressures • Understanding will prevent- Revolving door program • Use this understanding to build leaders and role models for your team • Bottom line: Long term individual success = Long term team success

15. Ways to get through the transition stage • Educate parents and runners from the beginning: Let them know it is common for young girls to excel. • Keep team records- shows what older girls did in the past. • Encourage running camps- education and start to Summer training • Focus on the team not individuals • Honor older runners for longevity • Check on runners in the off season. • Give older runners special privileges- • Allow “new sensations” to be what they are: Junior high runners- (patience)

16. Conclusion • My way to describe what I have observed. • I have experienced both sides of the spectrum- top 5 runner as 7th grader quit as a 10th grader, 18th place 8th grader progress to 3rd place senior. • Provide a positive experience for our sport: responsibility of coach. • Understanding this progression will help you develop a great program, not just a great team. • More importantly you will be providing a positive experience for all.