9/25 update

Braves,

This was an awesome week of work. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday were different workouts than we have done to this point in the season, and we were able to accomplish a few things. We have less than two weeks until our region race, which would be the last race of the season unless we make it to state. This is our last week of true hard work. Similar to last week, we want to put in some speed work, while continuing to taper. Tuesday and Thursday last week were intended to be easier days, while still getting in some cardio work.

Speaking of Thursday, I cannot believe the weird things that these kids found on their run. We issued an “obscure item” challenge and some of the things they found were flat out bizarre. I still am laughing about the entertainment center. The Kerrs had some creepy mask, Ryan and Brandon came back with some antique action figures or something. And a chicken?? I took a couple of pictures and put them on our website. You probably have to scroll to the bottom to see them, but maybe while you are there you can upload a few of your own. You can get to the photos page by clicking on “2016 photos” on the right side of the website or by following this link.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMe1CwlaYOXlM0N_6R_pxkaGBvT63EAG8Z31wgCcjSEDZEM6CTNDhT8gnmJM6E59g?key=SkNkQjU2eWE3V1JyU2FjY2NqUllhTDVtd2NiRm1B

We have put it great work all season long, now is the time to take advantage of it. Don’t waste these last few weeks, take advantage of them. On Friday in the rain I was a bit upset at the beginning of practice, but to your credit, to those of you there, your work ethic really changed by attitude. We were impressed how well you worked in the rain. You are going to have plenty of races in the rain, including the state track meet it seems every year, so we have to be able to excel in rough weather. You did that on Friday so thank you for changing my mood through your work ethic.

At the end of the workout on Friday I told the group to have some fun on these last few 400s. Anna Sophia jokingly said to me that I might have a different idea of fun than they do. After I laughed I realized that I don’t, at least in this case. The workouts or races when you go as hard as you can, that is when you have fun. Part of that is the endorphins that are released, but the other part is exceling through challenges. That is a rewarding feeling and what makes running, training, and racing fun. I never see our team more happy than right after they finish a race. After Kiwi finished her race at pre region, where she also had an outstanding race, she said to Leslie, “that was fun!” (Coach and I were in earshot, not eaves dropping ;) ). The point I’m making is, let’s have fun, and the true way to having fun is working hard.

We have one race this week, and it is our home meet up at Mueller Park. The race begins at 3:30 with the girls followed by the boy’s race. You will be excused from school slightly early so you can get dressed and up to the meet. Because we are hosting, we will need help from each athlete, and any parent that is available to help at the finish line, or standing at a few spots in the race to direct traffic. I’m putting another link to our course map so you can review it. It is mildly confusing, which is why we need help to make sure the kids don’t take any wrong turns. Let me know if you will be available. Mostly you would stand at some of the intersections and direct the kids along. Nothing too complex. http://bravesxc.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_12.html

There is no varsity or JV this week. This race and the workouts the next two weeks will be used to determined who will be racing varsity at region, so now is the time to show what you have. Let’s have some fun this week.

Coach Jacobson

9/18 update

Braves,

The results from the meet we had on Wednesday our on our website. We were impressed with the effort during those races. It is crazy to think that we only have one race to go before our region meet. Parents, in case you hadn’t heard from your son or daughter, we are not going to race on Friday the 23^rd at Roy. That was on our schedule but we decided to not race that day so we can use the time to prepare for our final races. That means that we have our home meet on the 28^th, region the week after, and state after that. With the final few weeks of the season we have some exciting things ahead of us.

The final few members of the varsity teams are not set in stone, given the improvements that people have been making, and that is a good thing for our team. Over the next two and a half weeks that will be decided as we go into region. We were extremely impressed over the last two days with a few kids stepping it up in practice as they make their final push to make the varsity team. We will need that kind of tenacity if we are going to have a shot to reach our goals.

We set a goal at the beginning of the year to qualify both teams for state. As the season has unfolded and we have deal with ups and downs, injuries and improvements, our goal is within reach, but not a guarantee.  It is going to take a collective effort to have chance at qualifying for state. As the season has developed, on paper, the boys team finds themselves neck and neck with Box Elder for the final qualifying spot. It looks to be very close. The girls teams in the region have been slightly more unpredictable, but it is clear that we will have to really improve in order to have a shot. Not surprisingly, our girls have been improving (as have our boys) as a result of their hard work, which is why we believe there still is a chance. Anything can happen on race day, we just need to prepare ourselves so we can make things go our way. This is an exciting time. Ultimately, what we hope each of you understands, and whether you have been on jv or varsity doesn’t matter, is that we need each other, all of us, in this process working hard as a TEAM in order to reach our goals. Those of you who were with us last year for track will remember that our boys team fell 4 points short earning a state team trophy for the first time since 1991. Though that team dominated in region, they came up just short at state. That team had a lot of athletes who had bought in to the team concept and were working hard every day, but there were many who weren’t committed enough, and it cost us in the end. I do not want that to be our story. We cannot afford to be missing practice over the last stretch of our season. The region is just too close. I know you have other things in your life so schedule things in such a way that allows you to accomplish everything you need to.

I hear every day in my classes some students saying they stayed up and did homework for a large number of hours the night before for some class they had. Typically when I ask more questions about it they regretfully reveal that they had procrastinated for several days. What’s worse, when I ask how many text messages they sent, or snap chats they received throughout the duration of their “study time” they realize where the conversation is leading them so they plead the fifth (something Stratty likes to do when asked about if he iced is foot J). My point is, use your time wisely. Do not procrastinate, especially not in the middle of the term, because the end is usually worse in terms of workload. If you have a cell phone or an ipad or whatever, put it away while you study. In college I learned very quickly and gratefully how much more I could get done in the hour before practice when I kept my phone in my bag and stayed of social media. There is a little #lifehack for you as you move forward.

We are lucky to have a team full of great kids. For the most part you are responsible and want to do what is best for you and the team. Stay true to that and you will be able to balance all you have while still helping our team be successful.

This upcoming week we have a few things to accomplish. We have two things we want to accomplish in training over the next two and a half weeks in order to reach our goal. First, we want to continue to develop our speed, and take it up a notch. Our base has been established, and now we get to reap the rewards. As former long-time Weber State Coach, and BYU athlete Coach Blaisdell used to say, “the hay is in the barn” meaning we have put in the work, now we get to enjoy it. Second, we will begin to taper. Our workload won’t be as strenuous as your bodies begin to recover. As a training schedule for this week, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday will be speed days, either on the track or at Lewis Park, and Tuesday and Thursday will be distance runs, but more in the casual (NOT lazy) category. On Tuesday we will meet at Mueller Park Junior High and run our course a few times so you can get the hang of it, but it won’t be a strenuous run. We will give you further details at practice on Monday.

On Tuesday we will be taking our team picture for the year book. Make sure to bring your Uniform top (don’t worry about the shorts, but wear dark shorts or spandex if possible). That picture will be taken at 2:40, so if you are late, you will not be in the photo.

Again, there is no race on Friday, but we will be practicing.

We have an exciting few weeks ahead. Enjoy it, embrace it, be determined, and let’s reach our goals.

Coach Jacobson

9/11 update

Braves,

It has been a busy weekend so I am late getting this out to you. This one will be pretty short.

We will be racing on Wednesday at Layton City Park. It is the district championships so we will see all the schools in Davis County. There will be a JV and Varsity race, JV Girls first followed by the boys. The races begin at 3:30. The course is a bit shorter than what we have been racing, it is only 2.75 miles. We are looking forward to this meet and racing against some schools that we don’t often see.

We are doing a second clothing order. I will place the order on Wednesday after lunch, so if you want to order something please pay in the office and bring me the form and the receipt before or during lunch on Wednesday. You are also welcome to leave it in my box in the office if that is easier. Again, if you choose not to order something that is no problem at all. If you ordered a t shirt before, and are thinking of getting a couple more, the discount can still be applied. Let me know if you have questions.

The final month of the season is here and we are going to start transitioning into faster workouts (pace wise, not necessarily duration). Make sure you are getting plenty of sleep, eating right, and staying hydrated so that you can stay healthy over the last month. We are very excited for the last few weeks, this is when the season gets really fun.

Thanks for all you do, keep up the hard work.

Coach Jacobson