Week 6:
This week I worked as a counselor at a running camp hosted by Trinity Collegiate School, a local private school in my town. Coach Scannella, the track and field and cross country coach, offered me the opportunity to work with them for a week.
The camp included stretching, drills, techniques including visualization, games, and of course, running. Campers were diverse and varied in ability and experience, but the camp provided a range of activities useful to all ages and skill level.
June 26: Camp didn’t start until tomorrow, but I still wanted to get a little work in beforehand. I went on a three mile-run with Sam and it felt great! I was hydrated properly with little to no pain from my shin splints.
June 27: First day of camp! When everyone arrived, we went on a mile warm up run, as we did every day for the next week. After much stretching, drills, and an Indian Run, the campers were starting to wear out. We all took a snack break and stretched some more. After a few more running games outdoors, it was time to leave. I caught in an extra 1.5 miles after I got home. Total mileage for today: Four miles.
June 28: Today went basically the same as yesterday. Everyone did the warm up and stretched, but then the older kids and counselors went off on their own run. I went with a few of Trinity’s girls cross country team members for a 30-minute run. We played a little ultimate frisbee when we got back from our run and I realized exactly why I’m a runner; I am so far from coordinated! I got in a little over four miles again today.
June 29: Camp started off again today with our warm up run, followed by static and dynamic stretching. Instead of running, I helped out with the younger campers back in the gym to go through a circuit workout (mountain climbers, jump rope, sit ups, and seated running). The athletic trainer at Trinity, Mrs. Jessica Lowe, came and talked to all of us today about hydration. Throughout the rest of the day, I got in another two miles.
June 30: Today at camp was pretty light. We did a variety of stretches and drills, including lung metrics. I got in about 3 miles, but later that evening I went to Florence Track Club to coach the 400 and 800-meter runners. For those that don’t know, FTC is a recreational club sponsored by the City of Florence Recreation Department, open to youth ages 6-18. I usually do a few warmup laps with some of the kids out there and later I had one of my girls do 400 repeats. I could tell she was struggling, so I got in a few extra laps by running with her.
July 1: Because today was the last day at Trinity’s running camp, we did all sorts of fun activities and games. From apple bobbing, relays, and digging to find gummy worms in a pie full of whipped cream. It’s safe to say that both the campers and the counselors had a blast! It was a light day of running for me, though, and I totaled in with about three miles.
July 2: I took the day off today just to rest my legs. One of the relay races yesterday involved jumping over hurdles. I figured this would be no problem, even if I wasn’t an experienced hurdler. I made it over with ease, but my hip flexor started to really get to me. It isn’t too bad, just a little tender and sore. I had a wonderful week of camp though! I met new people and made many new friends, but learned a lot too. This had made for a much needed fun running week!
Weekly total: 22
Summer total: 125