Running/Racing/Training Advice

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Advice on Running Properly & Training for Goal Races

Advice from Coach Fay - Attitudes are Contagious

Goal Races & Recommended Races-Monterey County

JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K Fact sheet for Schools

Running Form

Technical Paper on Successful Endurance Training

Advice on Running Properly & Training For Goal Races

If you are training chiildren to run in the JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K goal races in November and April, other races for children, or goal races in your locale, this advice will help your young runners.

POINTERS FOR WARM UP AND TRAINING:
1. Always stretch and walk or jog a bit
2. Start slowly and then pick up the pace.
3. To gain endurance while training for the race you should be gradually increasing your distance run in the weeks leading up to the race.
4. It is OK to walk a little in your training and in your 5K.
5. Always stretch and walk or jog a bit after running.

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Advice from Coach Fay - Attitudes are Contagious

Fay Wenger is coach of the Salinas Valley Track Club and has many years of experience coaching competitive junior track athletes.

Fay says its not always what you do but how you do it. “Attitudes are Contagious” has been the motto of the Salinas Valley Track Club since its beginning decades ago.

Coach Dick Casper formed the club to inspire young people with his love for Track & Field. Athletes from ages five to eighteen train in running and field events, while adhering to the policy of “show me your report card” and mentoring other athletes.

High School and college athletes often return to the club at the end of their school seasons to help others. It is important to have a positive attitude with everyone rooting for each others success. They all cheer each other on.

Salinas Valley Track Club has a proven history – athletes which are now attending excellent educational institutions –with the work ethic which we helped inspire them with.

Keep your kids working... MORE>>

Goal Races and Recommended Races in Monterey County

RENOVATION RUN September (see website for exact date) 1 Mile Fun Run (ages 13 and younger) or 5K Run/Walk. Benefits teh Soledad Pool locker room renovation. www.soledadrec.com
JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K November & April (see website for exact date) The 3Ks begin and end at near Bubba Gump on Cannery Row in Monterey. This is a family fun run with lots of pre-and post-race activities focused on health and fitness to follow.
TOGETHER WITH LOVE 1K & 5K February (usually the Sunday before Valentine's Day) Race begins and ends at Lover's Point in Pacific Grove. Proceeds benefit the Monterey Rape Crisis Center.
CASTROVILLE ARTICHOKE FESTIVAL May (visit website for exact date) 1 mile kid's fun run
HEART AND SOLE May (visit website for exact date) Race begins and ends at the Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital. Events include a 5K, 1mile, 1/2 mile and toddler trot. Proceeds benefit the Children's Miracle Network. For more info visit www.svmh.com.
JUST RUN MARINA June (visit website or look in the Spotlight section of the JUST RUN homepage) Race is held in Freeman Stadium at the CSUMB campus. 1/4 and 1/2 mile track races. Event hotline is 931.760.0281
SPRECKELS 1 MILE July 4th Race is held in downtown Spreckels. A parade and famiily picnic follow the racing events

JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K fact sheet for schools

This information will tell you about school awards for participation in the JUST RUN! Just Kids 3K in April.

Monterey County school children are invited to participate in the Schools' Competition which is an opportunity to raise money for their school. There will be a maximum of $9,000 awarded in total prize money. The amount of the grant is dependent upon whether or not the school participates in the JUST RUN® program. Prizes are awarded FIVE DEEP in four categories:

Highest percentage of enrollment for schools of 250 or more
Highest percentage of enrollment for schools of less than 250
Highest number of participants for schools of 250 or more
Highest number of participants for schools of less than 250

Prize money for JUST RUN Schools:

1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
4th Place
5th Place

$900
$600
$350
$250
$150

Prize money for non-JUST RUN Schools:

1st Place
2nd Place
3rd Place
4th Place
5th Place

$700
$450
$250
$150
$75

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Running form

Running Form should be reviewed regularly. Basic Concepts are:
1. Running Tall - Don't lean too far back or forward.
2. Run Relaxed - Head, face, shoulders, arms should feel relaxed.
3. Chin up and Eyes Forward
4. Arms should swing straight ahead - not from side to side.
5. Relaxed hands with thumb usually up - no clenching fists.
6. Don't go out too fast - start slowly.
7. Keep the same effort going up or down hill or flat.
8. Stride length should not be too long. Don't overstride.

Technical paper on successful endurance training

Tim Gibbons, who is the Endurance Training Coordinator in the Sport Science and Technology Division of the U.S. Olympic Committee recently did apper on the Common Characteristics of Successful Endurance Training Programs with specific information on children and adolescents.

The six common characteristics are:
1. Physical Activity during childhood and early adolescence.
2. The age of the athlete when sport specialization takes place.
3. Long Term Gradual Development with increasing workload in training.
4. Training Volume and intensity not too high during young adulthood.
5. High Quality Coaching.
6. Training Partners and a Team Atmosphere.

A large amount of non-sport specific physical activity between the ages of 5 and 13 is extremely important in creating a well rounded, coordinated, strong athlete later in life. The more movement and aerobic type activity the better as long as it is not sport specific.

Sport specialization such as longer distance running, or skiiing,... MORE>>