XC Goals

When setting goals for yourself, try not to base them on what other
people do (or don't do), ie. you say:

"I want to beat John Smith"

Well, will you be happy beating John Smith if he was sick that day and
had a bad race?  Or if he has a fantastic race, and so do you, but he
crushes you - weren't you still successfull?  Instead you should say:

"I want to be competitive with John Smith"

Then, if on race day, you realize he's not having a good day (or he's
having a GREAT day) you'll be able to realize it during the race and
then reset your goal.  An even better thing to say is:

"I want to be competitive with John Smith"
and
"I want to run such & such a time"

Base the goal more on a time or how you feel when you race.  Something
that is within your control.  For you can't control what other runners
do or don't do.

You should set 3 goals for the season...

1) EASY - one that you know that you can achieve with some work
          ie.  I want to run the whole way in a race
          Of course don't make the EASY goal a no-brainer.

2) MEDIUM - One that is tough to hard.  Should be something that you 
            think will take you all season to achieve.  Base it on time.

3) HARD - One that is way out there.  Everything would have to be perfect -
          the course, conditions, your mental state of mind, your shape -
          EVERYTHING.  Like, "I want to qualify for State" or "I want to
          win State".  It's supposed to be hard, that's why it's called
          a "HARD" goal.

Also right down why you're out for Cross Country - think about it and be honest.

Put your name on it, date it and either give to me or e-mail to Jake.

A sample might be something like the following:



What is Cross Country to you?

Why did you go out for Cross Country?

What do you want out of Cross Country?


GOAL SETTING:
-------------

Start of season?

End of season? (easy - medium - hard)

Senior year?

(Note: This is good to add for I save these and give them back to you in
       your Senior year and it's neat to see what you've put down over
       the years.)

ACTION PLAN
-----------
This is something you use to help you accomplish your goal(s).  It's one thing
to have a goal but what is your plan to help you to ACHIEVE your goal ... an
Action Plan can help you with this.  Click here for a sample ACTION PLAN.


TIME MANAGEMENT
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Something that is covered alot in the work world.  I know you're starting to use it
in HS more and more and is a 'must have' technique by the time you reach college.
Here is a little cheat sheat that you might find of help.