10 Rules for Track Season
- Never be outworked. Always put in 110% of your effort and you won’t be outworked. Steve Prefontaine said, “I’m going to work so that it’s a pure guts race at the end, and if it is, I am the only one who can win it.” Be willing to give everything that you have while competing. Make sure you are putting max effort into your practices so that you can do the same at your meets. Always push your limits and get comfortable being uncomfortable.
- Don’t focus on your statistics. Sometimes an off-day can throw off your statistics. Statistics is a results-oriented focus which is out of your control. If your time is slow today, perhaps you lacked sleep, or proper nutrition. Focus on factors within your control to make the next day a better day.
- Remember that being the biggest or strongest player on the track or field doesn’t make you a better athlete. The smarter, aggressive, prepared track and field athlete will be better – every time! For example, if you are a distance runner, adding muscle in the gym is more likely to hinder your performance than enhance it. However, some strength training is a must. Know how to train for your specific events!
- Have a purpose in every practice. This will help you not go on “auto-pilot” during practices. Use your practices as a way to prepare you for competitions. Always be checking yourself for good running technique if you are a runner. It’s easy as a runner to “zone out” particularly as a distance runner. However the elite runners in marathons often comment that it is not the fatigue that gets them, but the ability to concentrate and focus for the length of the race. Make sure you are focused the whole time!
- Stop comparing yourself to other people. Instead, compare yourself to yourself! Am I better than I was yesterday? Am I more aggressive than I was last season? This way you can track your progress in a healthy way. It’s easy as a track and field athlete to compare yourself to others. The numbers are very cut and dry. You know where you stand. Make sure your goal setting is on point for YOU.
- Be thankful for the opportunity to compete in track and field. Competing is something you GET to do, not something you HAVE to do. It’s a big commitment but it’s worth it if you really appreciate being a track athlete!
- Be patient. “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” So just remember big changes or a lot of progress takes time – just hold on for the long haul! This is why having daily or weekly goals in your training becomes very important. Season-long or year-long goals can seem daunting and unattainable without smaller more manageable goals for daily practices and weekly meets.
- Compete for yourself. Don’t run, jump, or throw for your friends or your parents. You should compete because you love it. Worldly praise is nice, but you must love track and field to your very core.
- Never quit or give up. Even if you don’t win, make it really hard for other people to win. Always put up the best fight you can.
10. Keep things in perspective. Faith, Family and Academics come before track and field. At the end of the day, academics might send you to college if sports can’t. Your family is going to support you no matter what. So, remember what’s important.
**11. Train your Mindset if you want to be at your absolute best. Learn the Mindset Red Flags!