Sunday, September 29, 2013

Week #5 Preview - September 30-October 5

Monday - Tuesday 3:15-5:00 PM, meet in room J151 ready to run.
Bring running shoes and short to run in, water bottle.


Wednesday - Team and Individual Photos
3:15-5:00 PM, meet in room J151 ready for team photo
WEAR YOUR UNIFORM and bring your completed photo order form.
We will do a short run after photos, so also be ready to run.


Thursday 10/03/2013
Blaine Cross Country Invitational Race Website
Majestic Oaks Golf Course, 701 Bunker Lake Blvd NE, Ham Lake, MN
3:15-(6:30-7:00PM)

Meet near the swimming pool parking lot, ready to run.
Bus leaves Jackson at 3:30PM Sharp!  Return to Jackson between 6:30-7:00PM.
You can pick up your student after the race, but you MUST check in with the coaches before leaving.
Bring clothing appropriate for the weather, running shoes, uniform and shorts, full water bottle.
Bring a healthy snack.

Course Map

3:45 Boys White 5K
4:05 Girls White 4K    
4:30 Boys Blue 5K
4:50 Girls Blue 4K
5:15 MS Boys 1.8K
5:30 MS Girls 1.8K 
5:45 Boys JV 5K
6:10 Girls JV 4K 

AWARDS:
Medals top 25 for varsity
Ribbons for top 25 JV
Ribbons for top 15 for Middle School


Friday, Optional Run, 3:15-4:00 PM, meet in room J151 ready to run.
NOTE: Friday practices are optional and only for kids who can be picked up at 4:00 PM.
Bring running shoes and shorts to run in, water bottle.


Saturday, October 5, 2013
Swain Invitational
Optional race for 7th and 8th graders, however registration was CLOSED on 9/29.  Contact Coach Craig if you want to run in this race.
608 S. 63rd Ave. W.
Duluth, MN 55807

RACE SCHEDULE:
Course opens at 9:00 a.m.
Girls 7-8 10:00 a.m. (3000m)                      Boys JV “A” 12:45 p.m. (5000m)
Boys 7-8 10:25 a.m. (3000m)                      Boys JV “AA” 1:15 p.m. (5000m)
Girls Sophomore 10:50 a.m. (4000m)           Girls Varsity “A” 1:45 p.m. (4000m)
Boys Sophomore 11:20 a.m. (4000m)          Girls Varsity “AA” 2:10 p.m. (4000m)
Girls JV “A” 11:45 a.m. (4000m)                  Boys Varsity “A” 2:35 p.m. (5000m)
Girls JV “AA” 12:15p.m. (4000m)                 Boys Varsity “AA” 3:00 p.m. (5000m)

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Week #4 Preview - September 23-27

Great Running at the Milaca MegaMeeet!
Complete results - http://www.raceberryjam.com/indexcc.html (click on "Results" and look for "Milaca Mega Meet, Sept. 21")
Due to the timing of registering for the race, the following individuals were not registered but are listed in the results as:
Katie Jonason is listed as Jenny Omann in the 7th grade girls race
Matt Koethe is listed as Justin Morely in the 8th grade boys race

Monday - Thursday 3:15-5:00 PM, meet in room J151 ready to run.
Bring running shoes and shorts to run in, water bottle.

Mustang Invitational
Friday 9/27/2013
Chippewa Middle School, 5000 Hodgson Road, North Oaks/Shoreview (hwy 49 north of hwy 96)
ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON HWY 10 AND I-694!  Plan accordingly or choose alternate route.
 
Early school release at 2:30PM.  Parent/Guardian(s) will need to send a note to the attendance office to excuse their child(ren) early.
 **Kids, turn-in your signed permission slip at the attendance office on Thursday to get your pass.

Bus leaves Jackson at 2:45PM SHARP!  Meet near the swimming pool parking lot, ready to run.
Bus returns after awards (very unpredictable), which will be after last race.  Estimating we’ll be back between 6:45-7:15PM?
You can pick up your student after the race, but you MUST check in with the coaches before leaving.
Bring clothing appropriate for the weather, running shoes, uniform and shorts, full water bottle.
Bring a healthy snack.
 
Race Schedule:
3:30pm    Gold Race- Boys            Boy’s Team Race 5000 meters  (top 7)
4:00pm    Gold Race- Girls             Girl’s Team Race 5000 meters  (top 7)
4:25pm    JH/MS Grade Race-Boys Team and Open Boy’s Race 2500 meters 1.55 miles
4:40pm    JH/MS Grade Race-Girls Team and Open Girl’s Race 2000 meters 1.24 miles
4:55pm    Green Race-Boys          Open Junior Varsity Boy’s Race 5000 meters     
5:25pm    Green Race-Girls           Open Junior Varsity Girl’s Race 4000 meters    
 
Awards Program is after last race at finish area, or Chippewa Gym, if inclement weather
Jr. High/MS Race Awards…Medals to top 5 places in each race, ribbons to 6-20 places
 
Parking:  Hope Christian Church - Teams and families can also park across the street west from the school and cross the street at the intersection with control lights in the designated walk lanes.
 
Directions:
ROAD CONSTRUCTION ON HWY 10 AND I-694!   Plan accordingly or choose alternate route.
 1.  Interstate 35W to Highway 96 (about 2 miles north of Interstate 694) and east to Highway 49 (Hodgson Road)
 
2.  Interstate 35E to Highway 96 (about 2 miles north of Interstate 694) and west to Highway 49 (Hodgson Road)
 
3.  Interstate 35E or Interstate 35W to Interstate 694, exit Rice Street and north on Highway 49 to Highway 96
 
Then -- north on Highway 49 (Hodgson Road), north of Highway 96 about 1 mile

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Week #3 Preview - September 16-21

Monday - Thursday 3:15-5:00 PM, meet in room J151 ready to run.
Bring running shoes and shorts to run in, water bottle.

Friday, Optional Run, 3:15-4:00 PM, meet in room J151 ready to run.
NOTE: Friday practices are optional and only for kids who can be picked up at 4:00 PM.
Bring running shoes and shorts to run in, water bottle.

Saturday, Milaca Mega Meet
Bus leaves Jackson at 7:30AM SHARP! - West parking lot by swimming pool entrance.
Return to Jackson between 1:00-1:30PM.
You can pick up your student after the race, but you MUST check in with the coaches before leaving.
Bring clothing appropriate for the weather, including warm clothes for the bus ride to Milaca, and dry clothes to wear after your race.
Bring running shoes, uniform and shorts, full water bottle.
Bring a lunch to eat on the bus ride back to Jackson.

Milaca Mega Meet:  Meet Site Here
Saturday, Sept. 21st, 2013
Stones Throw Golf Course (Milaca GC - 15679 Central Avenue, Milaca, MN)
Spectator Information (driving/parking directions): Here  
Spectator admission fee $2 adults, $1 students
Course Map: Here

Milaca MegaMeet Meet Schedule:  Lane #4 All JH-JV Races
6th grade will run in the 7th grade races
10:00  8th Grade Boys'   3.2K
10:15  7th Grade Boys'  3.2K
10:30  8th Grade Girls'  3.2K
10:45  7th Grade Girls' 3.2K
11:00  9th Grade Girls'  4K
11:15   9th Grade Boys'  5K
11:45   10th Grade Boys'
12:45   Varsity AAAA Boys'
1:30     Varsity AAAA Girls'
2:00     JV Girls'
2:15     JV Boys'

Friday, September 13, 2013

Friday 9/13 Optional Run for POST RACE RECOVERY

Friday, Optional Run, 3:15-4:00 PM, meet in room J151 ready to run.
NOTE: Friday practices are optional and only for kids who can be picked up at 4:00 PM.
Bring running shoes and shorts to run in, water bottle and a beach towel (optional) for stretching.
Great racing yesterday!
Full Results at http://www.raceberryjam.com/indexcc.html, look under "Results - September" for Rum River Invitational, Anoka High School, September 12.

Junior High Girls 2ND PLACE!, TEAM TIME SPREAD ONLY 1:47 = TIGHT PACK, WOW!
1 Totino-Grace                        26   2:09
2 Champlin Park                   39   1:47 (3 runners in top 10, Jadie almost finished 1st!)
3 Benilde-St Margaret's          95   4:12
4 Robbinsdale Armstrong       98   3:25
5 Minneapolis South              106  4:32

Junior High Boys
1 Mounds View                   35   1:43.7 (all 9th grade or older)
2 St Louis Park                    44   1:05.6
3 Minneapolis South           76   1:50.6 (mostly 9th grade or older)
4 Champlin Park               91   0:41.5 tight pack! wow fun wow!
5 Totino-Grace                    127  2:01.6
6 Benilde-St Margaret's      137   1:44.1
7 Robbinsdale Armstrong   194   0:45.6

Taylor Zaugg 2nd in JV 4000M race, WOW!
Sydney Heimer 7th in JV 4000M race, WOW!
Note, Taylor and Sydney could represent the Rebels varsity as the #2 and #3 runner.

Coach Kari and I are extremely proud of the efforts we witnessed!  BE PROUD!
It is going to be a fun competitive season!

Side note, in most of our races, our kids are registered representing Champlin Park to save our school $$$ in race registration fees.  But also look for us representing Jackson in future results (Blaine Invite).

Wednesday, September 11, 2013


Rum River Invitational
Thursday 9/12/2013
Anoka High School

 
3:15-(6:15-6:45PM)
Meet in class room J151 by 3:20, ready to run.  We will walk to the swimming pool parking lot to get on the bus.
Bus leaves Jackson at 3:30PM Sharp! Return to Jackson between 6:15-6:45PM.
You can pick up your student after the race, but you MUST check in with the coaches before leaving.
Bring clothing appropriate for the weather, running shoes, uniform and shorts, full water bottle.
Bring a healthy snack.

Race Schedule and Awards:
3:30PM Girls Junior Varsity                          4000 Meters
4:00PM Boys Junior Varsity                          5000 Meters
4:30PM Girls Varsity                                      4000 Meters
5:00PM Boys Varsity                                      5000 Meters
5:30PM Middle School B/G                         3000 Meters

Varsity                  T-shirts to top 20
JV                           Medals to top 15
MS                         Ribbons to top 10
Awards will be handed out in the finish chute
No Team awards

Pre-Race Nutrition and General Nutrition:
Drink plenty of water the day and night before races. 
Always eat healthy…fresh fruits and vegies, whole grains, lean meats.
Avoid fatty and greasy foods…read the labels.
Eat a dinner higher in carbohydrates such as spaghetti or pasta the night before a race.
Drink water throughout the day of a race.
Avoid acidic foods such as oranges and apples the day of a race to help ease your stomach.
Avoid extreme changes in your diet which can cause digestive problems.  Make changes gradual.
Bananas and raisins in moderation are awesome race day snacks if common in your current diet.
Our races are short and do not require special dietary needs such as extreme carb loading.

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Week 2 Preview - September 9-13

If you haven't done so, please turn in all documents on Monday:
Health Emergency Care Record (yellow)
Anoka-Hennepin Community Education Eligibility Information (green)
Jackson Middle School Athletic Rules (blue)
Cross Country T-Shirt order form (green)

Make sure you are signed up in Community Education and your sports physical is turned in, otherwise you will not race this Thursday.

Monday - Wednesday, 3:15-5:00 PM, meet in room J151 ready to run.
Bring running shoes and shorts to run in, water bottle, and a beach towel for stretching.

Rum River Invitational
Thursday 9/12/2013
Anoka High School

3:15-(6:15-6:45PM)
Meet near the swimming pool parking lot, ready to run.
Bus leaves Jackson at 3:20PM Sharp! Return to Jackson between 6:15-6:45PM.
You can pick up your student after the race, but you MUST check in with the coaches before leaving.
Bring clothing appropriate for the weather, running shoes, uniform and shorts, full water bottle.
Bring a healthy snack.

Race Schedule and Awards:
3:30PM Girls Junior Varsity                          4000 Meters
4:00PM Boys Junior Varsity                          5000 Meters
4:30PM Girls Varsity                                      4000 Meters
5:00PM Boys Varsity                                      5000 Meters
5:30PM Middle School B/G                           3000 Meters
 
Varsity                  T-shirts to top 20
JV                           Medals to top 15
MS                         Ribbons to top 10
Awards will be handed out in the finish chute
No Team awards

Friday, Optional Run, 3:15-4:00 PM, meet in room J151 ready to run.
NOTE: Friday practices are optional and only for kids who can be picked up at 4:00 PM.
Bring running shoes and shorts to run in, water bottle, and a beach towel for stretching.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Friday 9/6 practice is cancelled due to the weather (too hot!).

Wednesday, September 4, 2013


We had a successful first day! The kids handled the heat and humidity very well, but not all kids are bringing a water bottle and running shorts to practice.

Today the kids received five sheets of paper for parent/guardian(s) to complete or review.  Please get all paperwork completed by this Friday, September 6th.
 
Week 1 Schedule, September 4-6
Wednesday and Thursday, 3:15-5:00 PM, meet in room J151 ready to run.
Bring running shoes and shorts to run in, water bottle, and a beach towel for stretching.

Friday, Optional Run, 3:15-4:00 PM, meet in room J151 ready to run.
NOTE: Friday practices are optional and only for kids who can be picked up at 4:00 PM.
Bring running shoes and shorts to run in, water bottle, and a beach towel for stretching.

Please read my September 2nd post for valuable information on running shoes, optional running equipment, meet schedule, and my contact information.

Monday, September 2, 2013

First Day of Practice - Wednesday, September 4, 2013

Please get ready to run immediately after school is dismissed (3:10 PM).
We will meet in classroom J151 (same as last year), beginning at 3:15 PM.  This classroom will be locked while we are running and you can securely leave your instruments, backpacks, etc. in the classroom.

Official practices will be Mondays through Thursdays, 3:15 - 5:00 PM.
Optional practices will be on Fridays, 3:15 - 4:00 PM.  Note that this is an optional practice and only for kids who can be picked up at 4:00 PM.  Also, there is not an activity bus at Jackson Middle School on Fridays.

Make sure you are signed up in Community Education and your sports physical is turned in.

Required to Bring to Practices and Meets
Running Shoes and Shorts - running shoes are highly recommended to promote comfort and prevent injuries. Please see the Cross Country Running Stores listed on the Rebels Cross Country blog site for a list of specialty running stores in the metro area (tell the sales staff you are on the cross country team...you may get a discount!).  Here is a link to the Rebels blog site:
http://rebelscrosscountry.blogspot.com/

Filled Water Bottle - Proper hydration is critical in any athletic activity and is simple to do.  Cross country running is very demanding in any type of weather condition, so please be responsible...take care of yourself and bring a filled water bottle to practice.

Optional Equipment Not Required
Old Beach Towel - An old beach towel is great to wipe the sweat off your face, sit on while stretching on the ground, and a wonderful stretching tool.  You will be glad you have one at each and every practice, plus it will help prevent running injuries.

Wrist Sports Watch - Timing is critical in cross county running and a wrist sports watch is a valuable training aide.  The coaches will use a stop watch for multiple purposes, such as timing runs and interval sessions.  A runner may want their own watch to get more accurate timing or simply feel more in control of their workout.  There are many types of sports watches, some with GPS for sophisticated pace and distance feedback, but a simple wrist watch with a stop watch feature will work just fine.  If you are interested in a $100+ GPS watch, please feel free to talk with the coaches about the pros and cons of such a training tool.

Clothing Tips...Non-Cotton Athletic Clothing and Socks - Cotton absorbs sweat, becomes heavy and hot, and is very slow to dry.  Cotton socks always create blisters.  For maximum comfort and air flow, wear non-cotton athletic clothing and socks.  Shorts and light colored short sleeve shirts are highly recommended.  The Cross Country Running Stores will have quality clothing and socks options.  Other stores will also, but you will need to read the labels to avoid cotton.

Meet Schedule
We have five meets scheduled for everyone.  More details on the meets will be provided at various practices and posted on this blog site weekly.  The first meet is the Rum River Invitational on 9/12/2013.  Our last and most important meet is the NWSC Championships on 10/10/2013.  There are also two bonus races after 10/10/2013.  Here is a summary of our official meets:

9/12 - Rum River Invitational, Anoka High School
9/21 - Milaca Invitational, Stone Throw Golf Course, Milaca, MN
9/27 - Mustang Invitational, Chippewa Middle School, North Oaks/Shoreview, MN
10/3 - Blaine Cross Country Invitational, Majestic Oaks Golf Course, Ham Lake, MN
10/5 - Swain Invitational (limited capacity...advanced runners only), Duluth, MN
10/10 - NWSC Championships, Elk River Golf Club, Elk River, MN

The official season is only six weeks...a relatively short period of time to get into competitive condition.  Success and fun is dependent on a strong work ethic, attentive focus, regular participation, and a healthy attitude.

Go Jackson!

Coach Craig Crandall
cellphone/text 763.360.8912
crandallcraig@msn.com