Running Camp

This past week I helped out at a youth running camp. It was a lot of fun, and I'll be volunteering the two remaining weeks of the program as well. The camp was started by my friend Noelle, who was a very good runner for my high school and went on to run a year at UNC Charlotte and a year at UConn. She is a couple years older than me and this is her fourth summer doing the camp. It is for middle school aged kids, and they can sign up for one week, two weeks, or all three!

Week One crew!

This past week was the first session, and we only had four kids. The turnout was a little disappointing, but Noelle says that the last weeks always get the most kids, with an estimate of about 20 kids. I'm really excited to be helping out this year, because it combines two of my favorite things: running and working with children!

Playing Drip Drip Drop, a wetter version of Duck Duck Goose.

The camp is only two hours each day for five days. We're working with middle schoolers, so it is not too strenuous for them. A typical day starts with a warmup lap and stretching/drills, then the main run, then we stretch again and do some type of strength training (pushups, crunches, etc). After that we play a game or two, or have a relay. Lots of water breaks in between to break it up as well. Each day of the week has a different focus. Monday we do some things to figure out each kids' fitness and ability, Tuesday is a distance run, Wednesday is a track day (hurdles/sprints), Thursday is an easy pre-meet day, and Friday is race day. I think the camp is great. It's not too much or too little, and it encourages kids to start running young! I wish there was a program like this when I was younger.

Wheelbarrow Relay!

As for an update of my summer training.... yeah. Honestly I haven't been getting in all that much running the past two or three weeks. But I'm staying active with the kids, and I'm itching to run. The heat can't hold me back that long! Now if I could just wake up early...