Youth Runner Magazine November-December 2020

XC IS STILL ALIVE !

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 $5.95

MEET YOUTH RUNNER AMBASSADOR MARY EAGLE

VICTOR JAIMEZSOLORIO IS TEARING UP THE XC COURSE

HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR RUNNERS

LUCIA RODBRO OHIO MIDDLE SCHOOL XC CHAMPION

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YOUTH RUNNING™ | YOUTH TRACK & FIELD™ | YOUTH XC™

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GO THE DISTANCE! #YOUTHRUNNER

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XC IS STILL ALIVE !

NOVEMBER - DECEMBER 2020 $5.95

MEET YOUTH RUNNER AMBASSADOR MARY EAGLE

VICTOR JAIMEZSOLORIO IS TEARING UP THE XC COURSE

HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR RUNNERS

LUCIA RODBRO OHIO MIDDLE SCHOOL XC CHAMPION

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YOUTH RUNNING™ | YOUTH TRACK & FIELD™ | YOUTH XC™

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NOW WHEN YOU RUN, YR RUNS WITH YOU! STAY UP TO DATE ON AWESOME NEW GEAR, ATHLETE INTERVIEWS, AND UPCOMING RACES AND RESULTS– EVEN WHEN YOU'RE ON THE GO! AVAILABLE IN DIGITAL DOWNLOAD AND KINDLE. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS AT YOUTHRUNNER.COM 2 | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

YR MOMENTS LEAVING IT ALL ON THE COURSE 8TH GRADERS BRADEN MOTYCKA #1192 AND NOAH DEEM BATTLE FOR 2ND PLACE AT THE FLORIDA YOUTH XC CHAMPIONSHIPS. JOEY DIAZ-QUINTERO WAS 10 SECONDS AHEAD AND WON IN 10:10.5.

BRADEN-10:20.7, NOAH 10:20.9. THE NO EXCUSES RUNNING CLUB TOOK 1ST IN THE TEAM AWARDS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS.

ALEXIS LIPSCOMB CEDAR KEY SCHOOL JOURNALISM

2 | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

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XC 2020 Flyer.pdf

1

8/24/20

8:29 AM

AAU cross country NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS December 5, 2020 - Tallahassee, fl apalachee regional park more info & registration

www.aautrackandfield.org Meet director: Chad culver - c2culver@gmail.com Sports Manager: madision evans - mevans@aausports.org

4 | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

YR CONTENTS: NOV-DEC 2020

READY.SET.GO

Vol. 25 Issue 5

8

SHEA ELMORE 8 LUCIA RODBRO KYLE PETERS FEATURE

12 VICTOR

JAIMEZ-SOLORIO 20 MARY EAGLE YOUTH RUNNER AMBASSADOR

CHECK IT OUT

TRAINING

16-17 INSTAGRAM FAN SHOTS 18-19 MEET HIGHLIGHTS 24-25 WAY TO GO 26-27

ASK A YOUTH RUNNER COACH

MORE 2-3 YRMOMENTS

GUEST 5 CONTENTS 6 THE EDITOR

LETTER FROM

7 YR BLOGGER

14-15 POSTER

28 COMING UP

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 5

YR

EDITOR VOLUME 25 ISSUE 5 | NOV/DEC 2020 PUBLISHER/EDITOR Dan Kesterson EDITOR AT LARGE Ian Kesterson GUEST EDITOR Cailin Kinas CONTRIBUTING WRITERS, BLOGGERS, AND REPORTERS Cailin Kinas, Morgan Boonshaft, Isabella Bravo, Hunter Hurl, Jordynn West, Evan Gonzales, Jaden Merrick, Brandon Pollard, Espen Lehnst, Pat Tyson, Bob Williams, Matt Walsh, Max Huang, Bree May.

Dan Kesterson, Youth Runner Publisher / Editor

ART DIRECTOR Sean Kesterson

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR

CONTRIBUTING DESIGNER Rachel Heckerman ON THE COVER Lucia Rodbro

Hello Everyone, It’s amazing to see how resilient all of you have been during this time. I’ve realized just how hard it is to discourage a runner. If there is an obstacle in your way, you go around it. Runners will always find a way! In states where gatherings are still not allowed, you have created private meets to get your time trials in or just go out on your own. Some states have pushed on with championships. Cross Country is still alive!

In this issue, we’ve featured 8th grader Lucia Rodbro. She just added Ohio Middle School Champion to her list of achievements. We started following her a few years ago and got to know her at the Youth Runner Camp. We also interviewed cool kid Victor Jaimez-Solorio, football

IAN’S NOTES

player and runner. He’s had a great xc season so far.

Something else we’ve been having fun with is the Youth Runner Ambassadors program. It’s a place to meet other passionate runners, try new products, and share ideas for Youth Runner. Cailin gives her take on it and we highlight ambassador Mary Eagle.

For those of you going to AAU or USATF Nationals travel safe.

If you’re staying close to home check out USATF’s Youth Virtual XC competition at Athletic.net.

Stay safe out there, Dan Kesterson

GREAT TO HAVE BLOGGER ISABELLA BRAVO ON THE YOUTH RUNNER TEAM IN THIS ISSUE.

6 | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Smotherman Images, Kyle Peters, Klotz Images, Logan Hannigan-Downs, Sam Gehrke, Eric Ward, Dusty Smith, Tim Healy, AAU, Alexis Lipscomb Cedar Key School Journalism, Photo Run, Dave Watt, Dingo Images, Fans.

COVER PHOTO Matt Rodbro WEBSITE-DIGITAL-VIDEO Sean Kesterson THANKS TO Pop-up meets, and fire fighters ADVERTISING & SPONSORSHIP dank@youthrunner.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES US One Year: Print $19.95 Digital $12.95 Subscribe at www.youthrunner.com PUBLISHED BY: Youth Runner Magazine is a registered trademark of GoSportz Media LLC. Published 5 times a year by GoSportz Media, LLC Copyright 2020 all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. Editorial contributions are welcome, submit queries to editor@Youthrunner.com. Gosportz Media LLC and it’s publisher assumes no liability for the content or opinion of it’s writers or advertisers and reserves the right to reject any advertising at it’s own discretion.

Youth Runner recommends that you consult with your coach and your physician on any changes with your training, fitness and health issues.

YOUTH RUNNER

BLOGGERS ISABELLA’S FAVORITES

Ice Cream

Color

Isabella Bravo 13

School Subject

My name is Isabella Bravo, I am thirteen years old, I have been running since I was seven and a member of the Socal Road Runners running club. I enjoy running because of the feeling it gives me of freedom and also excitement. I also enjoy running races and hearing the crowds cheering loudly.

I have accomplished many things since I started running. Something I am very proud of is that I have been to the Junior Olympics a handful of times and have been All American in Cross Country twice. What inspires me most to run is famous women athletes and seeing the hard work they put into running. I am also inspired by the joy that running gives me and the feeling of pride when I know that I have done my best.

My favorite color is purple because it is a fun color that expresses who I am. My favorite ice cream flavor is mint chocolate chip and my favorite subject in school is math. I like math because it is challenging and fun and it reminds me of running.

My favorite Cross Country race is the 3k, I have always done pretty well at it and also I like the distance of it. My favorite track event is the 1500 hundred meter because I like the thrill and energy of the race. My favorite pre-race meal is oatmeal with buttered toast and my favorite stretch is runner’s touch. I learned this stretch from the YouthRunner camp this year and now I incorporate it into my stretching routine. Some advice I would give to other Youth Runners is to never give up and when it starts getting easy make it harder!

WHAT ARE ISABELLA’S

3K Race

Pre-Race Meal

FAVORITES?

Ice Cream - Mint Chocolate Chip Color - Purple School Subject - Math Race - 3K Pre-Race Meal - Oatmeal w/ Buttered Toast Track Event - 1500 meter Stretch - Runner’s Touch

Stretch

TAG PHOTOS #YOUTHRUNNER YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 7

LUCIA RODBRO WE’VE BEEN FOLLOWING LUCIA SINCE SHE BROKE THE 4-MILE WORLD RECORD FOR TEN AND ELEVEN-YEAR-OLD GIRLS. SHE WON THE COACHES CROSS COUNTRY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2017, THE CINCINNATI FLYING PIG 10K IN 2018, AND WAS RUNNER UP AT THE AAU CROSS COUNTRY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2018. LUCIA IS A 4-TIME ALL-AMERICAN IN CROSS COUNTRY AND WON THE INDOOR NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE 1500M AND 3000M IN 2018. THIS FALL SHE WON THE OHIO STATE CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS AND BROKE THE SCHOOL RECORD. TO TOP IT OFF, SHE IS A STRAIGHT A AND HONOR ROLL STUDENT, CROSS COUNTRY SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD,WITH A 4.0 GPA

This year was a very challenging cross country season with COVID. I had to wear masks at every practice and meet, I had to social distance at practices and races that had a lot of people split up. There was even the question of whether or not we were even going to have a season. Despite all this, I still managed to make the best of the season and even though there were a lot of challenges, I had a lot of fun racing and it was a great season.

Last year cross country didn’t go as well as I wanted to so this year I trained harder to have a better season.

I did a lot of speed work and strength training this summer with my coach, Mike Stahr before cross country started and I got in a lot of summer mileage. It was a little weird starting the season during covid but I was just glad that I still got to race.

My first meet was on my home course so I already knew it well. I felt like I was in good shape and I really wanted to PR and run in the mid to low 12s.

I won my race and it went pretty well but I was a little bit disappointed in my time since I only ran a 12:53. I 8 | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

wanted to run a lot faster than I did but it was hard since I didn’t have very much competition. I also hadn’t raced the 2-mile in a long time so I didn’t do very well at pacing myself. After getting the experience from racing that meet, I knew what I had to do next time and I was motivated to run faster at my next meet.

At my next meet, I had more competition and it was a mostly flat course and I ran 17 seconds faster than my previous meet. I won and I ran 12:35 for 2 miles. Last year at this meet I only got third place and I ran a lot slower. I was happy that I was able to run faster and win but I knew that I still wanted to drop time as the season went along. My next meet, however, was much more challenging.

My next meet was also a race and course that I had run before and I already won it the previous year. I expected to win the race by a lot but it was a lot harder than I expected it to be. I didn’t get a very good start so I had to run up and pass people from behind. After around a quarter-mile, I had finally passed most people but

then my spike started slipping off. At that point in the race, I was in third place and I didn’t want to stop to put it back on but I knew that I was going to have to. I slowed down to put it back on once but it just slipped off again so I had to stop a second time to put it back on. Luckily, my spike stayed on for the rest of the race after that but I was still far behind from the first and second place runner. I was so far behind that I didn’t expect to catch up but I just kept pushing the pace and eventually after the first mile, I caught up.

The second-place runner still tried to pass me multiple times after that but I just kept pushing and ended up winning by 1.5 seconds. This was my most challenging race of the season so far but it was a good experience to learn that I wasn’t always going to win every race by a lot.

My next two meets went very well.

First I had an invitational on a very hilly and hard course (it was 0.2 miles too long) so my time was slower than usual but I still won by a minute and a half. The meet that I had after that

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 9

BEST ADVICE FROM A COACH-

DON’T WORRY ABOUT ONE BAD RACE, IT IS THE LONG TERM IMPROVEMENT THAT MATTERS. - MY TRACK COACH MIKE STAHR.

was another home meet and I won by over 30 seconds. I got a season-best by 8 seconds and I ran a PR of 12:27.64.

I was happy with my time and my race but I still wanted to run faster and get a PR next time.

After that meet, I had a small break to train before my last four biggest meets of the season. My next two meets were both invitationals on the same course and they were only three days apart.

I wanted to win both of the races and get a PR but I knew that I was going to have a lot of tough competition. At the first invite on Wednesday, I had to race against the first and third fastest girls in the state. I ran hard but I didn’t feel very well throughout the race and the course was very challenging and hilly.

I ended up running only a 12:44 and I got third place. I was disappointed that I lost because I had been undefeated all season until this meet and I wanted to run faster. I knew that could do better on Saturday though.

On Saturday I was more motivated to win and I really wanted to do better. I knew that it was going to be another tough race but I was determined to win. There was one girl with me for the first 1.5 miles of the race. After I passed her I kept pushing to the fin10 | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

ish line and I ended up winning by 1 second. I also got a PR by almost a second and I beat my time from the Wednesday meet by 17 seconds. I felt really good and I was happy with my time since the course was so hard but I knew that I could run much faster on a flat course. The next weekend I had my conference meet.

At the South Western Ohio conference meet I wanted to run under 12:15 since it was a very flat course but I wasn’t sure if I was going to run that fast. I ended up winning by 40 seconds and I got a school record and PR of 12:13. I also helped my team, Talawanda Middle School to get second place in our conference in a tiebreaker for first place. I was very happy that I finally reached my goal to run under 12:15 and get a PR. It was a great race.

The weekend after that I had the last meet of my cross country season- The Ohio State Championships. I wanted to win and it was a goal that I had since the beginning of the season. I knew that I was going to have a lot of competition and I just wanted to get a good start and try my best to win. I got a really good start and I was one of the leaders from the beginning of

the race. After about the first 300 meters there was only one other girl that was running with me. She was pushing the pace for the first 1.2 miles but then I passed her and lead the rest of the race. The course was super muddy and it was a really cold, windy day so my time was a lot slower than usual.

I still won by 15 seconds with a 12:45 for 2 miles. My team also placed 8th in the state. I was super happy that I won and I was so glad that I was able to reach my goal of winning.

It was a great way to end my middle school season and even though there were a lot of challenges with covid this year, I’m so glad that I got to run this season and I can’t wait to run in high school next year!

FAVORITES

LUCIA’S BEST TIMES DARIUS LAWSHEA

AGE 10 1500M - 5:13 3000M - 11:12 5K - 19:35 4 MILE - 26:06 10K - 41:24

AGE 11 1500M - 5:12 1600M - 5:32 3000M - 11:08 5K - 19:08 4 MILE - 25:08 10K - 41:24

AGE 12 1600M -5:28 3200M - 11:52 2 MILE (XC) - 12:23 5K - 18:44

AGE 13 1600M - 5:28 2 MILE (XC) - 12:13 5K - 18:44

RUNNING SHOE - NIKE ZOOM PEGASUS 37 PRE-RACE MEAL - OATMEAL WITH BANANAS COLOR - LAVENDER PURPLE SCHOOL SUBJECT - LANGUAGE ARTS YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 11

SMOTHERMAN IMAGES

Q&A WITH VICTOR

VICTOR JAIMEZ-SOLORIO INTERVIEW BY: CAILIN KINAS

WE MET VICTOR AT THE AAU WEST COAST CHAMPIONSHIPS IN AUGUST AFTER HIS WIN IN THE 1500 METER RUN. HE LIKES TO JOKE AROUND, CARES ABOUT FAMILY AND FRIENDS, CARES ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE, AND TRIES HIS BEST AT EVERYTHING HE DOES. HE’S ALSO A PRETTY GOOD RUNNER.

12 | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

HI VICTOR, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL US HOW YOU GOT STARTED IN RUNNING AND WHAT HAS MADE YOU SUCCESSFUL SO FAR?

Nine or ten hours, I love to sleep in.

I wanted to get faster in football so I started running. I fell in love with the sport. It led me to my next dream( to run in the Olympics one day). Training in the mountains and desert has made me better.

Will you go to AAU or USATF JO’s?

How have things gone for you with xc since that hot meet in Vegas?

Its been good. That track meet made me a better runner. I can still run well even when it’s so hot.

Has dealing with covid slowed anything down for you and your team?

What are your goals for the rest of the season and 2022?

To get better times and get more medals. To get under ten minutes in the 3000.

I want to do both if I can.

Any good advice for other young athletes?

To train in high elevation. Don’t give up even if people tell you that you can’t do something, just work harder.

VICTOR’S BEST TIMES

No, we still practice just not together. We practice over zoom and social distance.

I noticed a cross country meet in Colorado you went to. What can you tell us about that meet?

AGE 8

I did good, had a lot of fun with my friends. It was a hard run. I had trouble breathing.

800M - 2:28 1500M - 5:02

AGE 9

800M - 2:21 1500M - 4:42 3000M - 10:12

Who is your toughest competitor locally and nationally?

Locally Elli Lovett is my toughest competitor. I run with him at practice, he is hard to beat.

What keeps you motivated?

My family keeps me motivated because they do everything for me.

What are you doing for training right now?

How many workouts a week? How many minutes a workout do you do?

Running high elevation training, speed training, recovery training, and chiropractor. I do five workouts a week for about 30 minutes.

What do you do on recovery days?

Travis my trainer stretches me out, Sonny my chiropractor cracks me. My mom takes me to ice baths.

How many hours of sleep do you get each night?

FAVORITES NBA PLAYER - CEEDEE LAMB

NBA PLAYER - CEEDEE LAMB

TRACK RUNNER - PREFONTAINE

SCHOOL SUBJECT - MATH

TRAINING SHOE - NIKE ZOOM XC

ICE CREAM - STRAWBERRY

PRE-RACE MEAL - TOAST AND

MOVIE - SONIC THE HEDGEHOG

BANANAS

VICTOR’S ACHIEVEMENTS I DID VOLUNTEER WORK AT THE COMPTON COMMUNITY CENTER. I GOT A CHARACTER COUNT AWARD AND A MATH AWARD. I RAN JOS IN SACRAMENTO WON THE 1500METERS AND BROKE THE RECORD. I WENT TO NORTH CAROLINA AND WON THE 800 AND 1500 AND SET A NEW RECORD. YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 13

A POP - UP HALF MARATHON THE ORGANIZERS OF THE EUGENE MARATHON SET UP A SPECIAL RACE NEAR ROW RIVER IN LANE COUNTY, OREGON GALEN RUPP GETS OUT OF THE HOUSE AND RACES FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THE OLYMPIC TRIALS IN ATLANTA LAST FEBRUARY. HE FINISHED IN ONE HOUR 22 MINUTES.

TIM HEALY

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 15

INSTAGRAM

FANPAGE

KIDS RULE THE WORLD! WE JUST SHOWCASE THEM! HERE ARE SOME OF YOUR BEST SHOTS THIS SEASON! WANNA SEE YOUR OWN PHOTOS IN THESE PAGES? IT'S EASY! ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS HASHTAG #YOUTHRUNNER WHEN YOU POST TO INSTAGRAM!

16 | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

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MEET HIGHLIGHTS OREGON ROADRUNNERS 5K THE ORR AND FRIENDS GOT TOGETHER FOR A PRIVATE MEET TO TAKE A CRACK AT 15 MINUTES TIM HEALY

18 | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

OCEAN BREEZE XC THE OB ON STATEN ISLAND, NY HAS A NEW CROSS COUNTRY COURSE NYC PARKS

FLORIDA YOUTH XC CHAMPIONSHIPS SOME SHOTS AT THE FINISH LINE FROM THE BIGGEST MEET FOR ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLERS IN FLORIDA. ALEXIS LIPSCOMB CEDAR KEY SCHOOL JOURNALISM

WE THOUGHT BY NOW EVERYTHING WOULD BE BACK TO NORMAL, BUT IT ISN’T. THAT LED TO SECRET POP-UP MEETS, TIME TRIALS, AND VIRTUAL MEETS EVERYWHERE. BUT THERE WERE ALSO PLENTY OF HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL XC MEETS IN STATES WHERE IT WAS ALLOWED. YOU CAN’T KEEP XC RUNNERS DOWN. YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 19

YOUTH RUNNER AMBASSADOR

MARY EAGLE

ON SEPTEMBER 12, I RAN A 10K AT BLUE KNOB SKI RESORT. I DID THE RACE LAST YEAR, SO I KNEW THE COURSE WAS FAR FROM A PR COURSE, SINCE IT’S A TRAIL RUN WITH SCRAMBLING HILLSIDES. BEFORE THE RACE, I JUST DID SOME DYNAMIC WARM UPS AND GOT SOME GUM BECAUSE IT HELPS WITH MY BREATHING. The first .4 miles is pavement downhill and I started out really fast since I’m an 800 runner, so as soon as we entered the narrow trail, people kept passing me up. The first 3.6 miles is downhill, but there’s huge rocks so you can’t run very fast. I tripped on a rock and fell at one point, but I was ok. After I passed the water station at 3.6 miles, I had to climb for probably half a mile up a hill using 20 | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

your hands so you wouldn’t fall back down. Once I finally got up that section, the course brought us back down another steep hill with rocks, all the way to the bottom again.

Then the course started going up a steep rocky hill, but it was possible to run.

That hill went on for probably .4 miles then I entered another steep, scrambling, hill side where we had to walk.

After that, I finally entered a flat narrow path through grass which we were on for about half a mile, then I finally got back on the pavement and I sprinted to the finish.

After, we just had some food they provided and I saw I was 17th overall and

1:21:38, which for this course I’d say is good, considering only three people were under an hour. Felix (2002-03, Los Angeles Baptist High School, Calif.), Robert Griffin III (2006-07, Copperas Cove High School, Texas), Grant Fisher (2013-14 & 2014-15, Grand Blanc High School, Mich.) and Candace Hill (201415, Rockdale County High School, Ga.).

Be a Youth Runner

Ambassador

BY CAILIN KINAS

I joined the Youth Runner ambassador team early this year in 2020, and since then, I have loved all of the experiences, fun activities, and opportunities that have been available to me! If you are considering it but are not completely sure, I highly recommend you give it a go. Being an ambassador allows you to connect with other youth runners around the globe so you can make new friends. You also get to do fun activities where you earn points and win cool prizes. Sometimes you even get free products sent that you get to try out! My favorite part about being an ambassador is that I am a part of something bigger than myself and I can help encourage other runners to go follow their dreams and goals. It is fun to share my views and running experiences with others to create a closely connected running community. I am so grateful for the chance to be an ambassador for Youth Runner, and I look forward to all of the other exciting events I will get to participate in in the future!

TAKEOVER THE YOUTH RUNNER INSTAGRAM!

INTERESTED IN BECOMING AN AMBASSADOR?

VISIT YOUTHRUNNER.COM FOR DETAILS!

LOOKING FOR A HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA?

CHECK OUT PRO COMPRESSION SOCKS

BY CAILIN KINAS

HEY YOUTH RUNNERS!

ALL RUNNERS KNOW THAT ONE OF THE BEST PARTS OF BEING A RUNNER IS GETTING FUN AND COLORFUL RUNNING GEAR TO ROCK THE RUN WITH. PRO COMPRESSION SOCKS DEFINITELY LET YOU DO THIS WITH THEIR FUN COLORED AND DESIGNED COMPRESSION RUNNING SOCKS WHILE ALSO PROVIDING GREAT BENEFITS FOR YOUR LEGS! I JUST GOT THE CHANCE TO TEST OUT THESE SOCKS AND I FOUND THAT THEY ARE SUPER COMFY TO WEAR WHILE ON A RUN.

Pro Compression even has multiple lengths available (I tried the mid-calf and knee-high pairs) so that you can find the most comfortable socks that suit you and your running needs.

Although the socks can be difficult to put on (like most good compression socks are), you can definitely feel the difference once you put them on. I found that they helped my legs feel fresher throughout my run and they also provided ankle and arch support, which helped my feet and legs to feel less sore after my run. Many runners wear compression socks since they are supposed to help with circulation, faster recovery, and prevent inflammation, but they can also be fun to wear because of their unique style and bright colors! Pro Compression offers a ton of different colors and styles to choose from on their website, so everyone can find the perfect socks that fit their taste. Overall, I highly recommend Pro Compression because they are easier to put on than other compression socks I have tried, they have the perfect amount of compression, and they are fun to wear. And, with the holiday season coming up, they also make an awesome running gift for running buddies and family members who run! $50 at www.procompression.com

22 | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

AIDEN GARCIA

RUNNERS GIFT IDEAS LIST -NEW RUNNING SHOES -WIRELESS EAR BUDS -BACK PACK -ITUNES GIFT CARD -FITBIT OR IWATCH -RUNNING SOCKS -COACHING PLAN -SUBSCRIPTION TO YOUTH RUNNER

MORE GIFT IDEAS . . .

BBSNAPS A great stocking stuffer! These clever face mask snaps light weight, snap fasteners will save your ears. Since

they keep ear pain away, they’re not only stylish but use-

COACH GIFT

ful too. They have several designs and colors to choose from and you can customize your own.

If you’re looking for a way to thank your coach this year think

Set of four $12.99

about a fresh Evergreen Wreath to show your appreciation.

Oregon Holiday Wreaths has a large selection and they’ll even

prevent ear discomfort. They’re called—bbSNAPS! These

They also offer an adjustable strap for $6.99 at bibboards.com

send a personalized card for you.

$55 at www.oregonholidaywreaths.com

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 23

WAY TO

GO

HUNTER MORGAN

IT’S BEEN A GOOD CROSS COUNTRY SEASON FOR FRESHMAN HUNTER MORGAN AS HE HELPED HIS TEAM WIN FIRST AT THE FHSSA 1A DISTRICT 15 IN A SUPER MUDDY RACE. AT REGIONALS HE FINISHED 4TH AND UP NEXT IS THE STATE MEET. Hunter Morgan is a 9th grader who runs for South Florida Heat. Hunter started running at age 9 to join his friends, get active, and see if he enjoyed the sport of running. Although he eventually started training with his team and, by the end of his 7th grade season, he was the fourth fastest 7th grader in Florida in the 5k.

As an 8th grader, Hunter was the AAU Regional 10 1500m champion, 2019 Disney 3k Classic champion, Jim Ryun 3k Invitational champion, qualifier for the high school cross country state meet, All American in the 3000m at the 2020 AAU Nationals, and ended his middle school career with the top time for the 3000m in the country.

Living in South Florida, Hunter knows that the weather can get super hot, windy, humid, stormy, and be very unpredictable overall. He says that, “The craziest time I’ve run is a couple of days before nationals. But, Hurricane Isaias decided to show up and everything closed down. I went to this tiny park that we found and, with a hurricane probably less than 30 miles away and the worst rain and wind ever, I managed to complete the workout.”

Hunter says that his biggest challenge he has had to overcome as a runner has been “learning that not every run or workout is going to be perfect, and to not dwell too long on a bad race or a bad workout. You have to keep your eyes on the end goal, and not get stuck on what has already happened.

I’ve learned to use bad days to fuel the next day, and bad races are used to fuel the next one.”

24 | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

JENNA HUTCHINS High school junior Jenna Hutchins doesn’t seem to know any place to run except the front of the pack. She’s broken her own state record twice, she’s a two time Gatorade Tennessee Runner of the Year, the 2019 Foot Locker South champion, and just won her state meet.

The Tennesee State Girls’ Large School race witnessed a battle of Foot Locker alumni early in the race before Jenna broke away for a dominating win in a time of 16:30. She obliterated the mark set last year

by Sasha Neglia (17:22) by speeding home in 16:30. The Science Hill star remains undefeated & this is her fifth time this fall running under seventeen minutes. At the state meet they ran at the Sanders Ferry Parkway course in Hendersonville this year & not at the course they ran in Nashville last fall, so times are a bit hard to compare.

At the Region 1 Championship she won in impressive fashion with a time of 17:06 even though the day was rainy and the course torn up due to an earlier hurricane.

In August at the Music City Distance Festival Jenna ran a 9:49.83 in the 3000 meter run. Last February at the Mondo Elite HS Invitational she clocked a 4:49.78 mile.

(Thanks Athletic.net) The 2021 indoor and outdoor track seasons should be good ones for Jenna!

Way to Go!

YOUTH RUNNER TOP DOG OF THE MONTH ALASKA STATE XC CHAMPION

GEORGIA STATE XC CHAMPION

KOKOPELLI INVITATIONAL WINNER

Tristan Merchant, 17 Anchorage Christian HS

Kamari Miller, 12 Marietta, GA.

Bethany Michalek, 14 Colorado Springs, CO.

Tristian ran away from the Division 2 field with a course record of 14:51. And triumphed by over a minute & a half over the second-place finisher.

Impressive!

Kamari was the big news of the Georgia State Meet as he swept to victory in the 7A Class with a time of 15:29.

Congratulations!

Bethany ran a 17:48 at altitude to win the Kokopelli Invitational girls race in Colorado Springs.

Way to Go Bethany!

GET RECOGNIZED Go to youthrunner. com Hit the SUBMIT button Fill out the athletes form. youthrunner. com/events/ athlete/submit

READ MORE ABOUT THESE ATHLETES AT YOUTHRUNNER.COM YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 25

26 | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

ASK A

COACH

AN EXCERPT FROM

“YOUNG RUNNER’S GUIDE” MOST COACHING BOOKS WE’VE REVIEWED ARE TECHNICAL AND EVEN HARD TO UNDERSTAND. THIS BOOK BY COACH MARK CURTIS IS NOT ONLY THE STORY OF HOW HE COACHED HIS OWN SON AND TEAM IN NORTH IDAHO, BUT ALSO THE GUIDE TO GET YOUR ATHLETE FROM BEGINNER TO NATIONALS. MARK TEACHES YOU HOW TO RUN THE CURVES, TAPER, PREPARE FOR RACE DAY, NUTRITION AND MORE. IN THIS EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER ONE HE IS TRANSITIONING FROM GROWING PAINS IN YOUNG ATHLETES TO CROSS TRAINING.

Cross training for many athletes has been the key to their success. It helps in so many different areas. It can help build strength to supportive muscles, tendons and other supportive body structures that would normally not get used with single sport athletics. It also helps in the prevention of over training and gives the body needed recovery time during intense high impact athletics. And finally, as I have already given an example of, it can help prevent long term injuries through needed rest of a key area, without sacrificing physical conditioning. Cross training is able to strengthen those areas that help support an injury, and also adds the additional benefit of helping to eliminate the chances of an injury reoccurring.

ple not smart enough to know they were impossible.” Quotes like this areusually made by people who haven’t figured out the tenacity or drive to accomplish greatness.

Because they don’t understand how someone could achieve such acts of greatness, they criticize the ones that can. The amazing thing about young athletes is that in their eyes and minds… anything is possible and you are about to find out why that is true. The difficulty in training adults is that they already have their own self-imposed limitations on their ability, and it takes almost a supernatural event to push them through those self-imposed limitations. However, because a young athlete has yet to be tainted by self-imposed limitations, they feel as if anything is possible… and it is.

My son is one of those young athletes without any self-imposed limitations. At 12 years old and coming off an undefeated Cross Country season, he wanted to concentrate on his swimming for a few months until track season. (We still didn’t have my son in one sport year round, mainly because he excelled in both swimming and running). We agreed and it took him only two months to get into competitive swimming shape and qualify for sectionals. I explained to my son that he shouldn’t compete in sectionals for swimming because it would drastically cut into his preparation for his track season. He understood and still wanted to swim at sectionals and because I like to have my children be a part of the decisions made about their athletic endeavors, we agreed to allow him to continue to train for swimming sectionals.

After a very successful sectionals swim meet and with almost four months off from running, my son then set his sights on his (now already started) track season.

You can buy the ebook at www.runconcepts.com

$19.99

Again, it is always better to error on the side of caution and take some needed rest, than it is to push an injury to the point of no return, and a young runner is unable to do the one thing they love… to run.

Another thing that is specific to young athletes is the way to approach their way of thinking when coaching them. Training young athletes is a lot easier in some ways than training adults.

Mark N. Curtis

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OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

14th

5th

12-13th

CLARENCE HICKS MEMORIAL PARK ROCKFORD, IL

OAKVILLE INDIAN MOUNDS PARK EDUCATIONAL CENTER - MOULTON. AL

LEXINGTON, KY

If you live within driving distance of Illinois this may be the meet for you this year. coachoregistration.com

All ages and all levels can participate in this meet. Register at coachoregistration.com

All the details at usatf.org

21-22nd

5th

18-19th

BOURBON COUNTY PARK PARIS, KY

APALACHEE REGIONAL PARK TALLAHASSEE, FL

GRAND BAHAMAS SPORTS COMPLEX FREEPORT, BAHAMAS

Saturday is ages 6-12, Sunday is 13-18.

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AAU NORTHERN NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY INVITATIONAL

COACHES XC NATIONAL YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP

28 | NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2020

CHICK-FIL-A NATIONALS

AAU CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS

USATF NATIONAL JUNIOR OLYMPIC XC CHAMPIONSHIPS

NEYMOUR CHRISTMAS ODD DISTANCE FESTIVAL

Racewalk 2020.pdf

1

8/24/20

2:21 PM

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