TEAM VALUES—HUSTLE and HEART
HUSTLE
COMMITMENT
Joining this team requires your commitment every day, whether you’re aiming to place at the state meet or are brand new to running. When the team commits together, our momentum and improvement increase.
PRESENCE
Show up! (Be at practice.) Prepare yourself physically for both work and recovery. Sleeping, eating, and hydrating well are crucial. No matter what stressors and priorities you inevitably have outside of the team, be present with your full focus for the 2 hours of practice.
PURPOSE
Part of becoming a successful athlete is learning to be purposeful about your training. Know there are times to grind, and times to simply move. Learn how both are important parts of progress as a runner. Ask questions to learn “why.” Physiology and exercise science have nuances, but every coach should have an answer for you, or be able to find one. Purpose also encompasses the mindset we bring to practice every day. Are you showing up willing to embrace challenges? Are you aware of how the attitude you have toward challenges influences the entire team atmosphere?
HEART
WELLBEING
Who you are and how you are is much more important than how many miles you run or how fast you are. As much as we love being competitive, you should never sacrifice your physical health or happiness for running. In fact, to be successful, you mustn’t! We are students, friends, family and community members with studies, relationships and responsibilities outside of running. The team demands our commitment, but it’s important for us to keep balance in all areas of our lives for long-term success in running and beyond.
AMBITION
Dare to want something. Running is a sport where improvements come to those who are patient, who commit to the day-to-day work and recovery, and to those who imagine themselves making progress and achieving success as they define it. Dare to want to become better. See yourself as the runner you want to be. It’s within grasp. Challenge your teammates to do the same!
SUPPORT
We take conscious action to be inclusive and supportive of all students of all physical abilities, racial, gender and sexual identities, and religious and cultural practices. It’s important to us that everyone FEELS welcome and valued on our team because everyone IS welcome and adds value by showing up, being themselves, having fun, and by giving their best. We are each other’s cheerleaders. You support teammates through tough training, races and life. We welcome newcomers to the team and check in with teammates to ensure everyone is having a fun and supportive team experience.
TEAM EXPECTATIONS
How we put our values into action to foster a fun and successful season. Basic rules: (1) Bring your best every day. (2) Have fun. (3) Support your teammates.
ATTENDANCE
Practice and competitions are mandatory. Athletes must communicate with a coach personally prior to practice if they anticipate being late or absent. Three or more unexcused absences can be cause for removal from team roster. Athletes must have a minimum of 10 days of practices before they can compete in a meet (8 for a jamboree). Everyone is aware of practice hours and is expected to schedule other activities and appointments outside of those hours. Exceptions may be made for the same reasons as the district’s policy. It is a Washington Insterscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) violation to get special privileges to miss a team practice or competition for an outside club practice/competition.
PREPAREDNESS
Each student is required to come to running sessions on time with
running shoes
clothes to exercise comfortably in (including uniform for meets)
appropriate layers dependent on weather and for non-running time (including warmups for meets)
water bottle with water or electrolyte drink
a digital watch
snacks for before and after practice
Students have access to the locker rooms from the bell until the start of practice time to prepare for practice. If you need assistance accessing gear, let a coach know and we will help.
PRACTICE
Workouts are designed to maximize each athlete’s potential during the season, their high school career, and beyond. Some practices will be very tough, others will be refreshing. Be coachable. It is important to follow the training plan and coaches’ guidance and be consistent with training. Aim to understand the purpose of the day’s work and to best execute as prescribed.
Decisions about scaling back or taking on more at practice are expected to be made with a coach with input from medical professionals as necessary. Inform coaches on how your body is feeling if anything is not feeling right—including any soreness that is not generalized, lasts longer than a day or two, or that is acute. It is not acceptable to skip practice because you decided you were incapable of running that day—that is something we will discuss and if running isn’t appropriate, there are plenty of activities we can do to support your recovery so that you can return to running quickly.
We finish each practice with stretching. Student-athletes must check out with a coach unless formally dismissed.
COMPETITION
All eligible athletes are expected to compete in every meet through the Metro League Championships. Competitions are opportunities to test developing fitness and confidence and to act with the highest sense of integrity and honor—in and out of races. Competing includes
Preparing to race
Doing your absolute best on that day for the team so we can score as well as possible
Cooling down; reflecting on what went well during the race and what could be improved upon
Being positive and kind to oneself and respectful, supportive and generous to others.