Jam #1 - Ionia

The overall theme for Ionia seemed to be "mixing it up." It was so nice to see some new faces stepping up into the top 7 spots. We have 2 weeks until our next Jamboree at Fowlerville. I think yesterday's Jamboree was a good taste of reality. We need to step it up many notches if we want to be competitive.

There is no substitute for doing the work. That is why there only a handful of great teams and a lot of average teams... NOT MANY ARE WILLING TO PUT IN THE WORK DAY AFTER DAY. It's not easy. Your coaches can tell you this until you are blue in the face, but it's up to you to make that choice.

Your attitude on a day-to-day basis needs to be a little on the extreme side of the fence. One of my goals as a coach is to have people say... "look at those Haslett Runners, they are crazy! They are so intense." People driving in their cars around town should be saying to themselves... "man those kids are flying around town" (not jogging). "They're crazy fast!" Running slow only makes you a good slow runner.

Here is another one of my goals as a coach... to make Haslett Cross Country/Track one of the best in the state and country. Your coaches can't do this alone. We need your help. Here are two article I want you to read. After you have read them tell me what you think (yes actually tell me). What was important about these articles? (yes actually tell me)

• http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=20734&PageNum=1
• http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=20732&PageNum=1

I'll be honest with you. I am not here to coach average teams and average runners. Haslett is way above average... and each of you should expect nothing less then the best of yourself. One great way to become better than average is to DO SOMETHING PHYSICALLY CHALLENGING EVERY MORNING BEFORE SCHOOL. Push ups (for both boys and girls), running, cross-training, or something physically challenging (ask your coaches if you need some direction). When you toe the line on race day you should expect to beat most because you work harder than most every day (not just here and there). Very few should beat you to the finish line.

Create an attitude within yourself that is stronger than the "wimp in your head." Everyone has that voice in their head that wants to give up, it's the winner that can overcome this voice, do the work no one else is willing to do, and be GREAT!

More to come on setting Process Goals in the near future.