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.

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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)

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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.