Re-defining running during COVID

Spring track has been cancelled, summer xc camp has been drastically reduced, and every day that ticks by brings us closer to the fall cross country season. All the while a large cloud of uncertainty looms over what the fall will bring. This uncertainty is probably the hardest thing for us runners, as by nature…

My 3 Favorite Track & Field Coaching Memories

As I sit here, quarantined at home, reflecting on the 2020 season that wasn’t, I thought it was about time to write another post for my blog.  One of the things we do to recognize our seniors is to ask them to share their favorite track memory.  I always enjoy reading and hearing all the…

The Next Evolution of GVXC

A new challenge awaits me this season as I begin the 2019 cross country season.  For the first time, I will begin the season not as an assistant coach, but as the head coach of Geneva Vikings Cross Country.  After 17 years as an assistant in the program, I am extremely excited for this new…

Savage Race Chicago 2k19

These days, it’s not often that I test my physical limits with a race, so when I do, I want to make sure to make the most of it.  This summer as with the past 3, one of my key races is the Obstacle Course Race (OCR) brand called Savage Race.  This year, I’ve still…

‘Tis the season – Track Season!

It’s that time of year again, track season.  Every year, I look forward to and am encouraged by the possibilities that lie ahead.  When we have our informational team meeting, I look about the room and get excited.  Seeing my classroom packed with kids, all of whom are eager for the upcoming season.   As a…

Racing and Pacing

Greetings XC runners!  It’s that time of year again when the excitement and nerves build for the first meet of the season.  Weeks and months of summer and early season training are about to finally pay off.  But all of that hard work can be easily squandered with a poor race strategy.  It’s very important…

Race weekend reflections

After finishing the Spartan Super this past weekend at the Blue Mtn Ski Resort in  Palmerton, PA, my initial reaction was dour.  It took me longer than I had hoped:  3hrs 40 min.  I failed two of the obstacles I had written off as simple and wasn’t worried about:  A horizontal bouldering Z shaped wall…

Multi-Sport Athletes

At its root, the sport of track and field is made up individuals who are fast, strong, and have a will to win.  In essence, competitive athletes.  This is why, as a girls’ track coach, I always look forward to having athletes from other sports join Geneva’s girls’ track and field team.  I know they…

Indoor season

Although nothing is better than a warm spring evening at a track meet under the lights, I truly enjoy the atmosphere of indoor season.  First of all, the weather is always perfect for an indoor meet.  Yes, the air can be a bit dry, and the field house might be a bit dusty or stifling,…

Why I love the 4×4

There’s a reason why a track meet finishes with the 4x400m relay…it’s the best event.  It is the best event for many reasons, the first of which is the distance each relay member runs.  Anyone who has run track knows what it takes to run a 400.  There’s going to be lactic acid.  There’s going…