I started looking at my calander for the upcoming weeks of summer running and I was suprised at how many things there is possible for us to do as a group.  I really wanted to plan some "Team Bonding" activities. So I'm sending a letter home tomorrow with your son or daughter explaining all of the activies we can planned for this summer.  Below is a list of those activities:

July 4th – We are working the Fire Cracker Road Race, we need about a dozen people for this.  It is a fundraiser for our team, as we get paid for working.  Several members of our team will also be running in the race.   I know MANY people have plans out of town, but if you are in town it would be great to have you sign up to help that morning.

July 11th – Thompson Trot 5K Road Race.  The runners have been wanting to travel to a road race together, and this is a close race we can attend.  The race starts at 7pm, so it allows parents to come and watch.  This will allow the runners to find out what their level of fitness is currently at.  The website for registration is thompsontrot.weebly.com  For our new parents, varsity boys during the cross country season will run a 5k (3.1 miles), varsity girls 4k (2.5), and the middle school boys & girls run a 3k (1.8 miles).

July 12th – Drive in movie at Sky-Vu in Warren, MN.  Your whole family is invited to attend. The movie is Maleficent, PG-13.  It starts at Dusk, and the cost is $5 for kids 12 & under and $8 for anyone over 12.  They suggest you are there by 9 pm.  It would be fun to have a big group go out and park near each other.  It would allow time for parents to get to know each other and our team to hang out together.  If you are unable to attend your child can still find a ride with another set of parents.

July 21st – 25th Team Camping Trip to Bemidji, MN. This is the highlight of the summer for most of the team!

Aug 11th – Season officially starts.  Please schedule physicals for your child before this date.                                      

As you can see July is a busy month for our summer running crew.  We try very hard to make this a fun and beneficial program for your children. 

It’s never too late for your child to bring a friend or friends to come and try running with us!!


Also parents are always welcomed to come to our Saturday 10 am practice.  Come see how hard your child is working and improving! Ride bike with them or even go for your own run!

We are into the third week of summer running and I haven't written anything! The turn out has been great.  There have been several new boys and girls coming to summer running.  It has been great to see them joining in at practice.  Already I have been able to see improvement in those younger runners that have been coming regularly.  

We have already done a few "summer speed" workouts. The younger runners really seemed to enjoy  the Hoof -n- Pedal, which we ran down Belmont. In this workout runners are teamed in pairs, and one bike, every mile they switch, one running and one biking.
 
This Tuesday we had our first more difficult speed workout, Build up, down Chestnut Street. The runners basically run a time trial down Chestnut, new runners go varying distances depending on ability.   This is one of my favorite speed workouts because we do it early in the summer, before they are really in good shape and once again at the end of the summer.  The goal of this workout allows them to see how much they have improved over the summer. That is one of the hardest thing for them to realize during the summer, the degree of improvement they have accomplished.  With no races, and just daily training runs, they don't always realize the improvement they have achieved, but comparing their first time trial with the 2nd does.

We have been trying to go to Turtle River for our Thursday runs, but it has rained each Thursday so far.  Hopefully next week we can make it.  This Friday we are doing Fox - n- Hound which has quickly become a new team favorite!

Summer running is here!! Today was our third day and we have had a large number of new runners show up and try running with us.  In the picture you can see the girls sitting around, learning each others names and their favorite type of ice cream. Our new runners have been doing a great job starting each practice with their ten minute runs.  The older runners are also doing a great job getting back into the swing and helping the new runners learn the Central way of doing things.  Hopefully our new runners are enjoying being part of our team!  Next week we plan to start playing some running games and making our weekly trip to Turtle River State Park.