XC summer program or private coach

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What should we do if our XC coach is not a very good coach at all. I think a summer program is a good start, but when the regular year starts the coaching is not good at all. Mileage is very low on distance days but we're made to run them at fast speeds instead distance day speeds. Speed work is just short tempo runs. Everyone is stagnant or getting injured under this coach. We can't change teams, so do you work around it?

The original post was about female runners. Assuming we are still talking about female runners - the coach is smart to keep the mileage low.

I wonder if the girls getting injured are running more outside of the prescribed program.

Female runners really need to communicate with their coach. Running on the side, and not communicating with the coach can result in injuries.

No, this coach is really bad and not very knowledgeable. Does not have an impressive running background, in fact it is not that good at all. Really has no business being a XC coach. The runners are following workouts to the letter and results are abysmal. The coach is treating this job like a personal hobby and not doing right by the kids. Need to find another hobby and allow better coaching to rule the day. I would be curious what others think of their high school coach.

Sounds unfortunate and frustrating. It may be worth talking to the athletic director about your concerns. And if others are feeling the same then you should encourage them to talk to the athletic director as well. If enough people voice their concerns then they should be open to discussing and reviewing the situation. That should be a good start and hopefully fix things before the fall XC season, but you’ll need to act quickly as it is already late in the spring season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure OP ever said where she is, but in MOCO, Seven Locks Running Club is excellent and has a high school summer program.

It is a good program for group training but just know your athlete won’t get individualized coaching. The team has 100 kids on it this spring & there will be 60 for summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What should we do if our XC coach is not a very good coach at all. I think a summer program is a good start, but when the regular year starts the coaching is not good at all. Mileage is very low on distance days but we're made to run them at fast speeds instead distance day speeds. Speed work is just short tempo runs. Everyone is stagnant or getting injured under this coach. We can't change teams, so do you work around it?

I only know a handful of HS coaches who are good- the rest are terrible. My HSer found a training program online and follows that instead of what the coach says. there are a lot of resources on Instagram too. The good thing about cross country is that you are running away from the school grounds so you can follow the workout you want.

Would you mind sharing that link?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What should we do if our XC coach is not a very good coach at all. I think a summer program is a good start, but when the regular year starts the coaching is not good at all. Mileage is very low on distance days but we're made to run them at fast speeds instead distance day speeds. Speed work is just short tempo runs. Everyone is stagnant or getting injured under this coach. We can't change teams, so do you work around it?

I only know a handful of HS coaches who are good- the rest are terrible. My HSer found a training program online and follows that instead of what the coach says. there are a lot of resources on Instagram too. The good thing about cross country is that you are running away from the school grounds so you can follow the workout you want.

Would you mind sharing that link?

https://www.coachjayjohnson.com/blog/a-comprehensive-cross-country-training-plan

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What should we do if our XC coach is not a very good coach at all. I think a summer program is a good start, but when the regular year starts the coaching is not good at all. Mileage is very low on distance days but we're made to run them at fast speeds instead distance day speeds. Speed work is just short tempo runs. Everyone is stagnant or getting injured under this coach. We can't change teams, so do you work around it?

I only know a handful of HS coaches who are good- the rest are terrible. My HSer found a training program online and follows that instead of what the coach says. there are a lot of resources on Instagram too. The good thing about cross country is that you are running away from the school grounds so you can follow the workout you want.

Would you mind sharing that link?

https://www.coachjayjohnson.com/blog/a-comprehensive-cross-country-training-plan

I am impressed. Jay Johnson really has geared his approach to high school runners. He has coached sub 28 minute 10k guys, with a goal or objective for them reeling off 18 mile runs at altitude at a pretty heavy pace. Colorado - the school where he took 9:20 two mile walkons and made them into D1 All Americans. His piece makes a lot of sense for high school athletes, including a dose of reasonable speed work (which he refers to as strides).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What should we do if our XC coach is not a very good coach at all. I think a summer program is a good start, but when the regular year starts the coaching is not good at all. Mileage is very low on distance days but we're made to run them at fast speeds instead distance day speeds. Speed work is just short tempo runs. Everyone is stagnant or getting injured under this coach. We can't change teams, so do you work around it?

The original post was about female runners. Assuming we are still talking about female runners - the coach is smart to keep the mileage low.

I wonder if the girls getting injured are running more outside of the prescribed program.

Female runners really need to communicate with their coach. Running on the side, and not communicating with the coach can result in injuries.

No, this coach is really bad and not very knowledgeable. Does not have an impressive running background, in fact it is not that good at all. Really has no business being a XC coach. The runners are following workouts to the letter and results are abysmal. The coach is treating this job like a personal hobby and not doing right by the kids. Need to find another hobby and allow better coaching to rule the day. I would be curious what others think of their high school coach.

Sounds unfortunate and frustrating. It may be worth talking to the athletic director about your concerns. And if others are feeling the same then you should encourage them to talk to the athletic director as well. If enough people voice their concerns then they should be open to discussing and reviewing the situation. That should be a good start and hopefully fix things before the fall XC season, but you’ll need to act quickly as it is already late in the spring season.

We live in a different state, but this is our situation, too.

The coach is both too tough and not tough at all ... mileage is too low, but EVERY DAY is hard speed work. Constant injuries. No variety, no recruiting to get more kids to come out for the team.

Parents have complained to the AD before, and he then turns on their kids. It's an old boys' network.

My kid persists because she likes the other kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What should we do if our XC coach is not a very good coach at all. I think a summer program is a good start, but when the regular year starts the coaching is not good at all. Mileage is very low on distance days but we're made to run them at fast speeds instead distance day speeds. Speed work is just short tempo runs. Everyone is stagnant or getting injured under this coach. We can't change teams, so do you work around it?

The original post was about female runners. Assuming we are still talking about female runners - the coach is smart to keep the mileage low.

I wonder if the girls getting injured are running more outside of the prescribed program.

Female runners really need to communicate with their coach. Running on the side, and not communicating with the coach can result in injuries.

No, this coach is really bad and not very knowledgeable. Does not have an impressive running background, in fact it is not that good at all. Really has no business being a XC coach. The runners are following workouts to the letter and results are abysmal. The coach is treating this job like a personal hobby and not doing right by the kids. Need to find another hobby and allow better coaching to rule the day. I would be curious what others think of their high school coach.

Sounds unfortunate and frustrating. It may be worth talking to the athletic director about your concerns. And if others are feeling the same then you should encourage them to talk to the athletic director as well. If enough people voice their concerns then they should be open to discussing and reviewing the situation. That should be a good start and hopefully fix things before the fall XC season, but you’ll need to act quickly as it is already late in the spring season.

We live in a different state, but this is our situation, too.

The coach is both too tough and not tough at all ... mileage is too low, but EVERY DAY is hard speed work. Constant injuries. No variety, no recruiting to get more kids to come out for the team.

Parents have complained to the AD before, and he then turns on their kids. It's an old boys' network.

My kid persists because she likes the other kids.

Your coach must be related to mine, because this is exactly what our team is going through. For nearly 2 years we've watched our times and results get worse. Many of us have talked about not returning next year, but what alternatives are there? I'd be open to other running programs if there is anything available outside of school. Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Our FCPS AD is so awful. Like he has hired terrible coaches, has done nothing about bullying and generally has run a great HS program into the ground.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our FCPS AD is so awful. Like he has hired terrible coaches, has done nothing about bullying and generally has run a great HS program into the ground.

Which high school? I know our XC coach is a bad choice too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our FCPS AD is so awful. Like he has hired terrible coaches, has done nothing about bullying and generally has run a great HS program into the ground.

Which high school? I know our XC coach is a bad choice too.

Bad track and field coach plus bad AD. I know who this is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our FCPS AD is so awful. Like he has hired terrible coaches, has done nothing about bullying and generally has run a great HS program into the ground.

Which high school? I know our XC coach is a bad choice too.

Bad track and field coach plus bad AD. I know who this is.

I am not sure who you think this is, but the complaints in the most recent posts are about a bad XC coach.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our FCPS AD is so awful. Like he has hired terrible coaches, has done nothing about bullying and generally has run a great HS program into the ground.

Which high school? I know our XC coach is a bad choice too.

Bad track and field coach plus bad AD. I know who this is.

I am not sure who you think this is, but the complaints in the most recent posts are about a bad XC coach.

Yes, and unfortunately that coach is returning next year too and will ruin the proud program even further. All while the neighboring schools coaches and XC programs continue to improve and do great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our FCPS AD is so awful. Like he has hired terrible coaches, has done nothing about bullying and generally has run a great HS program into the ground.

Which high school? I know our XC coach is a bad choice too.

Bad track and field coach plus bad AD. I know who this is.

I am not sure who you think this is, but the complaints in the most recent posts are about a bad XC coach.

Yes, and unfortunately that coach is returning next year too and will ruin the proud program even further. All while the neighboring schools coaches and XC programs continue to improve and do great.

Which school are you talking about? I have a pretty good idea.

[Anonymous]

I am assuming Woodson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am assuming Woodson.

As an Oakton parent, I thought it was us. I guess multiple schools have this issue, but the issues stated describe my childs team exactly.