Brand New Track

Hidden on the right side of this page of the D&C, is the announcement that today's meet will mark the opening of the new Penfield track. We have the opportunity to help Penfield start 0-1 on their track, so let's be ready to make that happen.

Here's a reminder of their indoor performances (1000/1600/3200):
Gumina 2:45 / 4:33 / 10:20
Hospers 2:49 / 4:45 / 10:36
Crandell 2:51 / 4:56
Sprague - / 4:56 / 10:34
Harney - / 4:55 / 10:57

Weather

We've talked before about the changing weather, especially in the spring. That means come prepared for any conditions, just about every day. It also affects our workouts. It doesn't make a lot of sense to take large periods of recovery (while doing faster intervals), if it means allowing the muscles to cool off too quickly. At a minimum, this can cause a slow or inefficient start to the next interval as your muscles get back into the effort. At worst, this can lead to an injury.

During most of the XC season, we are able to plan the workouts well in advance, knowing that the running conditions will generally be favorable. During track, we have to take the opportunities as they come. The good news is that later in the season, when we want to do faster intervals with more recovery, the weather tends to be much more cooperative during track season, and we are able to head into the taper period with better control over the workouts.

Two Weeks

Well, our spring track opener is now just two weeks away, and this week certainly feels like spring. Of course, we are in western New York, so don't start to think that it will be smooth sailing from here. AccuWeather says that this week should be mighty fine, but things could be a little nasty next week, with some snow even managing to fall.

Since we will only practice indoors under the most extreme conditions, please make sure to come to practice prepared to deal with whatever elements challenge us! Even a hat and gloves would be appropriate to add to your bag.

This will also be true for our meets throughout the season. As the sun sinks lower, even in May, it can cool off very quickly. Those of you that have had chattering teeth by the time you had to start your 4 x 800m leg can attest to that.

Indoor Nationals

Congratulations to the Schroeder participants in the Nike Indoor Nationals at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston. In my college days, that area was not one of the best places to be, but they have done a great deal of work in the area, and put up a very nice indoor track facility.

Results are available here. The 4 x 1 mile team put together a nice performance, running 18:37 for 14th place. Val ran 62.27 to finish 11th in the Frosh 400m race. And Kevin Enck showed that he could use a little bit of distance training, running just 3:20 in the 1000m, but still managed to place 18th.

With our first meet just 15 days away, our competitors from Nationals can't take much time off, to ensure they have enough practices to compete.

Opening Day!

So, spring sports start today, and I will resume the blog. Nate is working out at Schroeder today at 3:30pm, and anyone else is welcome to join him. Official track practices start up on Wednesday. Please note that it is only 3 weeks from Wednesday until our first meet. We are at Penfield, which no longer has a ghetto track, but our last meet there was rained out anyway! It will be a nice early-season test, since they can throw Gumina and Hospers at us.