Youth Runner Magazine May-June 2020

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YR MOMENTS MISSING TRACK MEETS IN 2017 & 2018 LEXY HALLADAY PLACED 2ND IN THE ELITE MILE AT THE NIKE JESUIT TWILIGHT. SHOWN HERE, IN 2019 SHE RETURNED FOR THE WIN WITH A TIME OF 4:46.98.

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YR contents: MAY-JUNE 2020

READY.SET.GO

Vol. 25 Issue 2

8

MEHKI GAMMONS

8

Shea Elmore dariuskyle lawshea peters FEATURE

12 Running Club

Highlight 20 Keeping Up with Youth Runner Athletes

CHECK IT OUT

TRAINING

16-17 Instagram FAN SHOTS 18-19 ATHLETES DOING GOOD 24-25 Way to Go 26-27

Ask A youth runner coach

MORE 2-3 YRMOMENTS

from the editor 5 CONTENTS 6 letter 7 YR Blogger

14-15 poster

28 coming up

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editor VOLUME 25 ISSUE 2 | MAy/june 2020 Publisher/Editor Dan Kesterson Editor at Large Ian Kesterson

peter campbell-thompson Ian Kesterson, Youth Runner Editor at Large

Hey Team, Just about every kid is out of school right now, and many parents aren’t able to go into work. If they can, it’s probably extra stressful. You probably know somebody that has gotten sick from the Coronavirus. Either way, we’re all affected right now.

So what now? There’s a lot we’re unable to do right now. Unable to see our friends, go to school, or train with our team. Can’t compete in spring track season. Nothing is really “as usual” right now.

Maybe you’re sad or anxious or worried. If you’re anything like me, you’re also a bit scared.

Is there anything better to do? Time to get weird and creative! I found that if you YouTube a favorite song and add “Dance Workout” to the search, you can entertain yourself for a good 30-60 minutes. Other little changes help keep it all normal, too.

EDITOR'S NOTES 6 | MAY/JUNE 2020

Art Director Sean Kesterson Contributing Designer Scott Scoggin

LETTER FROM THE

EDITOR

Contributing Writers, Bloggers & Reporters Morgan Boonshaft, Cailin Kinas, Kenan Pala, Jordynn West, Chelsea Ochoa, Taitum Schaap, Evan Gonzales, Will Benitez, Ellie Porter, Pat Tyson, Bob Williams, Matt Walsh

On the Cover Cisco Alvarez Smotherman Images

Now, I run short laps around my neighborhood instead of long runs up in the park.

It’s also hard to have our awesome summer plans up in the air. We spend the whole year planning and getting excited for our Youth Runner Middle School Camp. Instead of letting our excitement turn into worry, we’ve made a backup plan. So this year, if you can’t travel or have summer, as usual, join the virtual camp alongside real-life and other virtual campers for a week of coaching, teamwork, elite athlete visits, fun, and maybe some dancing challenges. No matter how it shapes up, it will be an awesome way to keep the training stoke alive and have way more fun than just sitting on the couch for another week.

Be safe, everyone!

Ian

PS: If you get bored, don’t try cutting your hair at home like me. But if you do, send us pictures :)

CONTRIBUTING Photographers Smotherman Images, Kyle Peters, Klotz Images, Logan Hannigan-Downs, Sam Gehrke, Eric Ward, Dusty Smith, Eric Trice, Peter CampellThompson, Gary Morgan, Photo Run, Dave Watt, HKRS, Dingo Images, Fans cover photo Smotherman Images Website-Digital-Video Sean Kesterson THANKS TO: Trails at Angeles National Forest, Mt. San Antonio, Friends, Light at the end of the Tunnel ADVERTISING & SPONSORSHIPS dank@youthrunner.com SUBSCRIPTION RATES US One Year: Print $19.95 Digital $12.95 Subscribe at www.youthrunner.com PUBLISHED BY: Youth Runner Magazine is a registered trademark of GoSportz Media LLC. Published 5 times a year by GoSportz Media, LLC Copyright 2020 all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without permission. Editorial contributions are welcome, submit queries to editor@Youthrunner.com. Gosportz Media LLC and it’s publisher assumes no liability for the content or opinion of it’s writers or advertisers and reserves the right to reject any advertising at it’s own discretion.

Youth Runner recommends that you consult with your coach and your physician on any changes with your training, fitness and health issues.

YOUTH RUNNER

BLOGGERS CAILIN’S Favorites

XC

Cooking

Cailin Kinas 16

Hello! My name is Cailin Kinas. I’m sixteen, a high school junior, and I live in Kaukauna, Wisconsin. I run both cross country and track for my school, and am part of the Kaukauna Ghosts Running Club. I first began running in 5th grade, where I continued to run throughout middle school and into high school. Starting high school, I was confident and strong, quickly setting my 5k PR of 18:53. But, I was soon diagnosed with gastroparesis, a stomach disorder making it difficult for me to eat food, causing me to experience weight loss and difficulty running.

To heal my stomach, I was given a feeding tube for a couple of months, and I had to learn the importance of diet and nutrition.

Throughout the track season, I still trained and competed, allowing me to increase my knowledge on how to run despite setbacks.

Miraculously, after two years of treatment and prayers, I was healed! After, I was able to set PRs in the 1600m (5:15) and the 3200m (11:15) and make it to state. My struggles have caused me to gain lots of knowledge regarding nutrition, recovery, perseverance, injury prevention, and teamwork, all of

which I hope to share with you, my fellow runners eventually! My latest achievement was competing in the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships, earning seventh place. My next big goal is to make it to state this year in both cross country, hopefully making the podium as well.

When I am not running, I also enjoy yoga, swimming, biking, cooking, and photography.

Running has gotten me through some of the toughest times in my life, and I know it can do the same for you too! Thanks for reading and stay positive out there!

Breakfast

School Subject

WHAT ARE CAILIN’S

FAVORITES?

School subject - Spanish Track or XC - XC! Online or school - Back to school Interest away from running - Cooking and baking Trails, or track - Trails all the way!

Training shoes - Brooks Adrenaline GTS 20 Breakfast - French toast bake and smoothies

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World Record Holder and National Champion

8 | MAY/JUNE 2020

darius lawshea

World Record Holder and National Champion

MEHKI GAMMONS Q&A WITH MEKHI Mekhi, you’ve got some significant accomplishments on your resume so far, a world record, national championship title, what race are you the proudest?

I am most proud of my 400m race at club championship when I ran the 47.8.

What was your first big race? Not the first race you were ever in, but the one you can point to that was a breakthrough moment for you?

My first big race was probably two years ago at Junior Olympics when I won my first national title in the 800.

Tell us about your first track practice ever? How old were you?

In my first practice, I was five years old, and I was about to quit because it was too hard for me.

How are you managing training during the virus situation? What are you doing differently?

During the quarantine, I’m doing less running and more physical fitness work.

What is a typical week of training for you right now? What will change 30 days before nationals if that happens?

Currently, an average week training consist of about 200 push-ups and 200 sit-ups, jump push-ups, or whatever workouts Coach D puts together. Probably more intense running for nationals.

We’ve all had some big disappointments with the virus. Some athletes were crushed, and more or less gave up, others made adjustments and stayed on course. How are you handling it and what advice do you have for other athletes who are still tentative.

For me, nothing has changed. I’m still working out and trying to keep my mind focused and staying safe. My ad-

vice to others would be to keep their head up, stay positive, and continue working out.

How tough was it to miss NB Indoors?

It was very tough and disappointing because I was really looking forward to running there.

Assuming the AAU nationals proceed, what are your goals for that meet?

My goals are to run under 47 in the 400 and hopefully run a low 21 in the 200.

Tell us about your relay team and the friendships you have with each other.

I love my relay team; they are like my brothers. If given a chance to run a relay with three people for the rest of my life, it would be them.

What motivates you to keep putting in the work every day, especially when it gets challenging? What makes you tick?

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darius lawshea

I know there is someone out there working to beat me and that’s what keeps me motivated, I can’t afford to be lazy.

How do you prepare for race day?

What do you do an hour before a race?

It depends on the meet. I get a massage before big track meets, and if it’s a regular meet, I act like it’s a practice day. I usually warm up and think about what I have to do on the track, which is, run my race.

Who are your role models?

I would say, my parents and Coach D.

What about your school, what subject are you the most passionate?

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I like math because it’s very straightforward.

If there was one thing you could do to change the world or make it a better place, what would you do?

I would try to find a vaccine for the Coronavirus and a cure for cancer.

Three words that best describe you?

Down To Earth

Individual Races or Relays? Relays Hot or Cold? Hot 400m or 800m? 400 Breakfast or Dinner? Dinner

What do you do for fun?

Play football and spend time with my family.

Favorites Color - Red Music - Rap Pro Athlete - Teddy Bridgewater App - Instagram Training Shoe - Nike Track Spike - Nike

“My advice to others would be to keep their head up, stay positive, and continue working out.”

darius lawshea

MEKHI’s TIMELINE Age 8 200m - 29.47 400m - 1:06.68 Age 9 200m - 28.27 400m - 1:03 Age 10 200m - 26.78 400m - 1:01 Age 11 400m - 59 800m - 2:20 Age 12 400m - 56 800m - 2:15 Age 13 400m - 50.42 800m - 2:03

Age 14 100m - 11.50 200m - 21.87 200m Indoors - 22.59 400m - 47.87 (13 Age World Record) 400m - Indoors 51.07 800m - 2:00 Age 14/15 2020 Freshman High School Season 200m - 21.80 300m - 34.98 400m - 48.54 500m Indoors - 1:05.13 (14 age World Record) 600m - 1:23 800m - 1:59

kyle peters

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METRO EAGLES TRACK AND FIELD CLUB

2019 AAU National Junior Olympics Greensboro, NC. after the 13-14-year-old 4x400m with Head coach James Wilkerson. LR Wesley Noble, Aaron Brown, Jelani Johnson, and Ayron Thomas. They also won the Hershey Indoor Nationals 2019.

Started in 1990, “The Eagles” teach self-esteem, self-respect, education, economics, travel, and how to run fast. Last year at the 2019 AAU Junior Olympic Games, the 13-14 boys were second in the 4x400 meter relay. They also had two boys finish in the top eight in the 400m and the 800m. Way to Go Eagles!

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christian walker

rashaun uche Ayron Thomas is a freshman at Stuyvesant High school, and

one of seven black students in the graduating class of 2023.

“I started running track in eighth grade, and, through one of the middle school, meets met the great coaches of the Metro Eagles Track Club. Even though it took some time, I eventually started going to practice. At first, I was reluctant, but eventually, I started to enjoy practices more and more. The hard work paid off in the end, with myself being eligible to compete on a national level.”

Brandon Simpson is a star on or off the track. He began his

track career with The New York Metro Eagles Track Club in September 2014. With each passing year, he jumped leaps and bounds. As a member of the prestige club, Brandon bested in the 100m & the 200m at the 2018 AAU Region 1 Championship final. Along with his club mates, he broke the record at the 2019 USATF Hershey Youth Indoor Championships in the 4x200m and 4x400m meter dash relays. In his freshman year at Benjamin Cardozo High School, Brandon has amassed honors in AP Global, Science, and Music.

Aaron Brown became an All-American the first year he started with the Eagles at age seven in the 800m & the 1500m.

Currently, his main events are the 400m and 800m, but he has also been in the 200m, hurdles, and high jump. In 2019 Aaron was part of the relay team that broke the records for the 4x2 and 4x4 relays for the 13-14 age group. He is now a freshman at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School competing in the 60m hurdles, 300m, 400m. He hopes with Metro Eagles’ foundational training and guidance he’ll obtain a scholarship to a prestigious university.

Wesley Noble is a 15-year-old track and field athlete currently in his first year at Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School. At age seven, he joined Metro Eagles Track Club and has poured his heart out at every track meet he’s participated in since then. Wesley has recently been awarded the Freshman Indoor Track & Field Outstanding Performer of 2020 by the Catholic High School Athletic Association.

He is currently a two time All American and three time 400m dash gold medalist at the Hershey Indoor Nationals.

Aside from track & field, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends and playing video games. Wesley’s ultimate goal is to become a professional Track and Field Athlete and one day open up his own business.

Jelani Johnson is a freshman at Bishop Loughlin High School.

Last year he competed at AAU Junior Olympics and ran a personal best of 52.20 in the 400m and 2:02.94 in the 800m. “I had high hopes coming in with an indoor pr in the 400m of 52.75, 2:01.96 in the 800m and 2:43 for the 1000m. If our season would have not been canceled my hope was to break two minutes in the 800m and go faster in the 400m. I will keep training and keep my goals up to break more personal bests. I’m a B student at my school and will work harder for the upcoming school year.

Christian Walker is two years younger but keeps up with the 13-14-year-old boys. He has been the New York USATF Athlete of the Year three times for his age group. Last year he broke a 200m and 400m indoor record and added three golds to his medal collection.

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CISCO ALVAREZ DREAMING OF CROSS COUNTRY SEASON THE ANGELES NATIONAL FOREST AND THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY PROVIDES A GREAT TRAIL RUNNING EXPERIENCE AND A TIME TO THINK ABOUT RUNNING WITH TEAMMATES AGAIN, GOALS, AND LIFE.

SMOTHERMAN IMAGES YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 15

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KIDS RULE THE WORLD! We just showcase them!

Here are some of YOUR best shots this season! Wanna see your own photos in these pages? It's easy! All you have to do is hashtag #youthrunner when you post to Instagram!

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ATHLETES DOING GOOD It’s a good day when you can add another medal to your collection. It’s a great day when you’ve found a way to support someone else. The stories of these young athletes inspired us. We hope it will inspire you also.

Maya Mor, organized a virtual 5K to raise money for a local charity. She reached out to over a hundred high school coaches around the state and asked local businesses to sponsor the event. She also reached out to several professional runners (Emma Coburn, Reed Fischer, Will Leer - the latter two are from MN) who gave shoutouts to the event on Instagram. Her initial goal was to raise $5000, and she raised almost $12,000.

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Eleven-year-old Michaela Neal of Wilmington, DE, has been using her stay-at-home time to sew face masks for people in her community that need them. While Michaela enjoys track and field, she also enjoys being creative and helping her community, and when the need arose again to do both, she was all in. Michaela already had the fabric and a sewing machine in her bedroom and began to sew face masks. In one weekend, she made and distributed over 50 face masks.

Alex Saldana, from Paramus, New Jersey, is a runner and a boy scout. He has been playing taps nightly as a local Veteran’s Home for the Veterans who have died recently due to the Covid-19. He stands outside of the guarded gates and plays, hoping that some of the Veterans will hear.

Gabby Goodgames is a record holder in the 60m hurdles and an entrepreneur. She won first place in last year's District-wide Science Fair for her idea and has since converted it into a business-Pawsome Pamper Kit--a monthly subscription box company for dog-lovers. She has shipped to seven states, has monthly subscribers, and partners with a local breeder to create new home care packages for puppies going to their forever families. Also, she gives part of her proceeds to the Tri-City Animal Shelter.

Caleb Craft didn’t need a crisis to start volunteering. Since he was six years old, he requested that family and friends donate funds and write letters to the Veteran’s Home near his house instead of buying him gifts. Each year around his birthday, he delivers the funds and letters to the volunteer coordinator and spends time visiting with Veterans.

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 19

Spring Cancelations Changes Focus To Cross Country And Fun Running

By Lauren Keating

The start of each track season brings with it a sense of hope in the air, a new PR just a meet away. But the outdoor season kicked off with a false start. It came to a premature halt, stopping runners in their tracks after the school closures associated with COVID-19.

But young athletes need to remember that while the season is over, running has no finish line.

threat of any potential injuries.

“I felt like I needed to prepare myself for college by putting in a lot of miles and doing things I wasn’t necessarily focused on because I haven’t been a runner all my life,” he said. “I would say it’s been more work, more time consuming, but I enjoy it a little bit more than the short, track sessions with a lot of speed work.”

“I feel like running is one of the better sports to be an athlete in right now,” Jesse Dimich-Louvet, a senior at the Billings Public School in Montana, said.

High school sophomore Amber Schulz at Timber Creek High School in Orlando, FL said she’s been a runner “her whole life,” but competitively since she was about 8-years-old.

While other athletes are not able to train the same during the pandemic, runners can maintain their distance—while social distancing— to continue to work on their skill.

The 1:23:25 OUC Orlando Half Marathoner was also disappointed with the cancelation of the spring season. But she changed both her outlook— and her workouts.

Originally a tennis player, Dimich-Louvet said he is still fairly new to the sport.

Placing third in the men’s 5,000 meters 15-18 division in 15:45.85 at the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in December, he currently abandoned spring track workouts as a senior to look ahead to the cross country season when he attends Temple University in Philadelphia in the fall.

“I turned my focus to really get as good as I can and as strong as I can in this time, and let my body recover from all the racing that I had been doing from the past season,” Schulz said. “And focusing on getting a base and mentally prepare. Let this be a refresher for the long career I want to have with running.”

Typically a low mileage runner, the 3000m first place winner with 10:41.49 at the 2019 USATF Florida Association Junior Olympic Championships, is adding more strength training. “I’ve been able to up my miles with it feeling really good.”

“I would love to have one more season with my teammates, and you feel like you worked hard all winter, DimichLouvet, who said. “But I’m not one of those people who are like well it was all for nothing. Especially in running—you train and you don’t see the effects for another year, sometimes it’s two years.”

Training Properly During COVID-19

He hopes his hard work put in now pays off as he enters the collegiate level of the sport. His current training includes running about 60 miles a week, doing Yoga, and taking time to roll out the

Many running coaches agree that the best way to move forward with training is to scale back on intensity and return to that base phase to prevent injury and stay healthy.

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“Since they are not training for anything, there’s no sense in taxing the system,” Robert Gessler, MD, RRCA Certified Coach, and Instructor and USATF Level III coach said. “The best type of training is to not get overtrained and have the immune system do what it needs to do.”

During the season, the mental pressure of physical demands of performing results in high levels of stress. And with so much on the line, many athletes push through because they don’t want to say no to a race. “Now’s the time to take the time,” Dimich-Louvet said.

Head coach at Reservoir High School Cross Country and Track and Field in Fulton, Maryland, Gessler recommends athletes sticking to conversational pace running to not overstress the body.

“We are in the pattern of starting buildup for the cross country season. What we can have for them is a longer buildup,” Gessler said. “And that doesn’t mean we won’t throw in some workouts in here and there, but we will not have them overdo it. And then hopefully they will come in the middle of August to us in really good shape.”

Despite enjoying track more for “the energy, the momentum from the people around you,” Schulz is now also gearing up for cross country once Nationals was officially canceled. After a week to refresh the legs, her coach plans on increasing her milage to build a cross country base and continue with strength training. She is now running 30 to 35 miles per week.

During COVID-19, there is now the benefit of more time to train.

“For those that are distance runners, they are looking at it has more of an extended way of preparing for the cross country season in the fall,” said Jim Hughes, the head coach of Moore Catholic’s and St. Clare’s track and field/ cross country teams in Staten Island, NY. He recommends finding a good area of

Running Safety

crazy that feels familiar to them,” said Melissa Ray, a New Jersey community coordinator of the Healthy Kids Running Series program. “A lot of families a returning families, so they know what race day feels like for them. And to give them a little bit of that in a time when everything is up on its head feels good.”

Many “old school” coaches like Hughes normally wouldn’t recommend headphones and phones when running. But Hughes thinks it’s a great way to keep the motivation alive for those like the runners in New York who can’t run with partners.

For kids ages 2-years-old to those in the 8th grade, the Healthy Kids Running Series is a five-week race program that is virtual this season. “We hope to provide that sense of motivation for those kids who don’t have their other sports, not just track,” Ray said.

Dimich-Louvet listens to podcasts or music now to keep entertained. He does go for a long weekend run with teammates at social distance.

The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) is holding workouts and lectures on Zoom twice a week that focus on proper stretching, drills, form, and core while sheltering in place. These 30 to 45-minute workouts are available for free for all CYO track programs.

a park to run in and simply enjoy it and rediscover the fun and love for running.

Make some days easier than others. Add hills—including downhill work for fun— and trail running. “Stay comfortable with the slower pace running.”

Runners are encouraged to run 8 to 12feet apart. Single file running also isn’t ideal during COVID-19. “I think it’s best for people to run side by side,” Gessler said. This is to avoid running in the airspace of droplets that are breathed out from the other runner.

Dimich-Louvet revealed some of his teammates wear masks, but he struggles with breathing too hard with one on.

“But it’s important to take into consideration,” he said. “Not only are we trying to stay healthy as an athlete, [but also] we obviously want to stop the spread of the virus.”

There are no current mandates to wear a mask, but Hughes recommends having one on below the mouth for easier breathing that can be pulled up when passing others.

Going Virtual Coaching has gone virtual—and even for younger runners. These rookie runners are encouraged to exercise as a way to burn off energy and stress. It’s a sense of normalcy in their day for those returning to the sport.

“We could just be a little thing that parents can do for their kids in a time that’s

“We wanted to keep them active and engaged with their teammates,” Moderator and CYONY Club coach Stefan Anikewich said. “Many of the kids can’t leave their houses or apartments during this crisis, so we thought let’s bring practice to them.”

He said the kids are left smiling at the end of every workout.

“We will keep these zoom trainings going until it is deemed safe to be together in person, and we will keep them going after. Even though the kids are not training together in person, they have been part of lectures/trainings from former and current Division I athletes, coaches, military families discussing not only workouts but life experiences,” said CYO Director Seth Peloso. “They are virtually sharing experiences, training, learning, listening and growing together.. If we (youth sports) are going to come out of this pandemic and have the same impact on these children’s lives, we will have to adapt and keep them engaged now.”

Parents should remember to keep running fun for younger athletes. The end goal is just to keep them moving. “We want them to come back so that they

develop a lifelong love like we have for running,” Gessler, a coach for the Howard County Junior Striders said.

No Race Planned, No Problem While younger athletes are used to running for fun, middle and high school runners might be struggling to cope with COVID-19.

For Dimich-Louvet it meant missing out on his victory lap as a senior. “I feel more for the juniors,” he said. “I know that junior year was a very crucial year in order to showcase your talents.”

The 5000m second-place finisher at the November SATF Montana Association Junior Olympic Championships said that he knows juniors that are struggling with motivation in both academics and training. “The juniors think, ‘well what is there to train for?’ Races are getting canceled left and right now. We don’t even know if we’ll have a fall season,” he said. “My advice is to stay training at the intensity that you were in season and not burn out. Stay focused and don’t lose sight on the bigger picture.”

Having no planned races isn’t such a bad thing.

“Honestly, it has had a positive impact on me because I feel like I’ve gotten to know where I want to go with running even more because I’ve had time to just get away from races and do other things,” Schulz said. “It’s made me realize that I really do have a passion for running and racing. It’s made me rethink everything and made me so thankful for running and what I’m able to do when I do it.”

Remember why we run.

“First and foremost it should be to stay healthy,” Dimich-Louvet said. “It shouldn’t be for the accolades or the spotlight. It should be for the love of the sport.”

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 21

Online Learning Tips from the Bloggers

By Cailin Kinus and Morgan Boonshaft

Are you wondering how to organize your day now that you're learning from home?

The bloggers at Youthrunner share their pro tips on how they manage the day.

Cailin’s Tips Online learning is new for many people around the world. But, just like a hard workout or new sport, we need to learn to adapt and find ways to help us face the new challenge. I am one of the many people who have had their school closed and are now starting to do online learning. I am also one of many people who have discovered how difficult online learning really can be, since sometimes focusing can be tough with your family doing other things around you! Thankfully, over the past couple of weeks, I have found some ways that can help me focus on school, get my work done, and be successful.

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Start Your Day Off As You Would On A Normal School Day.

It doesn’t mean you have to get up super early, but it means you should not stay up too late and sleep in until noon. I find that going to bed at my normal school night time and waking up by 9:00 am (at the latest) helps me get enough sleep and prepares me for my day. When I wake up, I get dressed, eat breakfast, and go through my routine.

Glance Over Your Classwork For The Day.

Looking over my assignments and making a to-do list helps me to organize what I need to get done for the day. It

also helps me better manage my time and ask teachers any questions I have about the classwork for the day.

Create A Schedule.

My schedule looks a little like this: Wake up and get ready for the day. Complete work for 2-3 classes. Exercise and take a short break or do assignments for gym. Finish work for one more class. Eat lunch. Complete the rest of the classes for the day, taking a quick break halfway through if needed. Finally, get the second round of exercise in (this is where I normally will do my run for the day,

but if you prefer to run in the AM, you can always run during the first exercise break) then I’m done with school for the day!

Work With A Small Group On Projects If Possible.

When online learning began, I thought working alone on projects would be best. But, I found that working with one to two other people can be very helpful! When starting a project, I email the person (or people) I want to work with and find a time that we can work on the project together online. Through email, texting, or facetime, you can then split the work and finish the project. Trust me, working with another person can cut the time it takes to do it in half, that’s a lot of time saved! Also, it is much more fun to be able to complete it together.

Ask Questions.

Although it may seem hard and somewhat scary to ask teachers questions, it can be very helpful when you are doing schoolwork at home. Knowing how to do an assignment is important, and asking questions is sometimes the only way you will figure out how to do it if you are unsure. Many other students are asking questions as well, so you should not be afraid to ask for help. Searching for help online can also be useful if you are unsure about how to do something.

Find What Works For You - Your Perfect Learning Area.

The area you learn in is just as important as the learning you are doing. Finding a quiet, calming place to do school work is very helpful. I enjoy working in my room at my desk, in the kitchen, or outside if the weather is nice. Sometimes I will play relaxing music to help me concentrate. Staying on track and limiting distractions can help you get your schoolwork done faster and also help you understand the content better.

Just like anything new, we can learn to adjust and make the best out of the situation. Good luck!

Morgan’s Tips Create a schedule.

I learned that doing this is extremely important. My Believe training journal keeps my running and cross-training organized; however, I do not add anything about my schoolwork in there. Take a moment to plan out your day so that you don’t find yourself sitting and not knowing what to do.

Take breaks.

With this whole digital learning experience, it is quite likely that you will be online for most of your classes. From being on your iPad or computer too long, you can have mood changes and get bad headaches. Try to look away from the screen every 20 or so minutes to give your brain some rest.

Get outside.

Just don’t do it with a big group of people. Exercise and moving your body is extremely important, but we will just be stuck in this situation longer if social distancing guidelines aren’t being fol-

lowed. A run, walk, game of basketball, or even fresh air is amazing. You just have to be mindful of who’s around you.

Stay on top of your notifications.

For me, teachers at our school have been emailing us daily, giving invitations to Google Hangouts/Zoom meetings, and assigning homework. To not get behind, it is very important to keep up with the lessons given during class.

Focus on other things besides digital learning.

Yes, online learning means you have school during the day, but you should do other activities to give your mind a break. If you have already exercised and done for the day, maybe you can bake a dessert. Spend time with family, try chalk art, start a new hobby, etc.

I hope this helps everyone with their remote learning experience and makes it a bit more enjoyable. Happy learning!

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way to

go

Kayleigh Stargell 13 year old Kayleigh has been running track since she was six years old, and 2019 turned out to be a big year for her.

At the 2019 AAU Junior Olympics, Kayleigh broke the 200-meter hurdles record twice. She broke it first in the prelims running the event in 27 seconds flat. Then, the following day, Kayleigh broke the record again running the 200-meter hurdles in 26.84, becoming the first 13-year-old girl ever to run 26 seconds! She also won silver in the Pentathlon.

Competing at the 2019 AAU Club Championships, Kayleigh won the gold in the 200-meter Hurdles, the 13-yearold Pentathlon, and the Long Jump where she went over 17 feet. Additionally, Kayleigh was the Georgia Middle School State Champion in the 300 Hurdles, won the 2019 AAU indoor title in the 200m, and at New Balance Outdoor Championship in 2019, Kayleigh placed 3rd in the Long Jump.

Last year, Kayleigh traveled to Belize to study global warming and became certified to Scuba dive while she was there. Kayleigh was also one of eleven girls selected by Chevrolet to go to Manchester, England as a “Goalkeeper” from the United States.

With all of this, Kayleigh still manages to be an honor roll student, plays softball, basketball, and participates in dance. She is a busy girl!

Way to Go Kayleigh!

There is a full interview with Kayleigh at youthrunner.com.

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Madison Holloway Sophomore at Conway High, broke a track record at their first meet on March 5th of her very SHORT track season. She broke the girl’s high jump record set in 1984 with a height of 5’4”.

Madison won the medal that night with a jump of 5’6”. That ranked her #1 in Arkansas and 18th in the U.S for the event.

Last year as a freshman, she finished 2nd at 6A State and 2nd at the Meet of Champs. Madison is not new to breaking records.

She holds five records at Ruth Doyle Middle School and two at Conway Junior High. She also competes in long jump, triple jump, and hurdles. At AAU & USATF Junior Olympic Championships, she has won medals in the long jump, triple jump, and high jump. (2013,2016, 2018, & 2019).

Madison is also a member of the high school varsity volleyball team, as well as the Beta Club. Great things are in store for this talented student-athlete.

YOUTH RUNNER TOP DOG OF THE MONTH STRAIGHT A STUDENT

AAU 1500m CHAMPION

Lamaas Bey, 8 Chester, VA.

Aven Thomas, 9 Lexington, KY.

Runs for Legion of Zoom and Was 6th at AAU XC Nationals, All American in 800m&1500m.

Lamaas was also invited to the Speed Capital Invitational.

Way to Go Lamaas!

She was the 2019 Bluegrass 10,000 12-under winner, regional 1500m champ for the last three seasons at AAU. Aven is also an honor roll student and competed in the University of Kentucky Regional spelling Bee. Wow!

Romesha Christian, 11 Cobb Pal, GA. Romesha, is a 5-time AAU National Champion, #1 ranked high jumper, honor roll student, and founder of his own clothing line called YET (Young Educated Talented) Amazing!

GET RECOGNIZED Go to youthrunner. com Hit the SUBMIT button Fill out the athletes form. youthrunner. com/events/ athlete/submit

READ MORE ABOUT THESE ATHLETES AT YOUTHRUNNER.COM YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 25

ASK A

COACH

Coach Bob Williams

WHAT IS A TIME TRIAL? TREAT THE “TIME TRIAL” LIKE RACE DAY. BECAUSE THAT’S WHAT IT IS. YOU’RE RACING YOURSELF AND LEARNING FROM IT. WITH EVERY WORKOUT YOU DO DURING THE WEEK, YOU SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT AND PREPARING FOR SATURDAY. We usually do ours on Saturday, but if that doesn’t work with your schedule, you can pick another day. Just make sure that you have two light days of training before the test.

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KEEP TRACK OF YOUR PROGRESS After your time trial, take some notes or an entry in your running journal. Watch your progression from week to week and keep track of: 1. Date/day of week and time of day 2. Describe how it felt from start to finish.

3. Did you kick it in?

4. How did your time compare to the last time you “raced” it?

5. Little things that you notice about yourself that you can use on race day. What did you eat or drink before the time trial? How much sleep did you get the night before? Was your time trial about the same time of day that a typical race would be? Did you change anything from the week before?

Tiny details could make the difference in your performance.

HOW TO GET STARTED AND STAY MOTIVATED It’s not so easy to be running and training by yourself but one thing you can do is plot out three different courses with different terrain. Maybe a flat course, one with hills, curves, etc. Then time yourself every three weeks and compare your times with your friends to keep the competitive juices going.

IS IT A GOOD IDEA TO KEEP WORKING TOWARDS A FAST MILE TIME, EVEN THOUGH MY NATIONALS HAVE BEEN CANCELED? The challenge is, do you have a track nearby that is open? You may have to do your training on trails or a pathway. So if you were to set up a time trial, use your Garmin or Strava to get a fairly accurate distance, and every three weeks, you could run a test effort along with your regular training. So yes, keep working on your speed. Spring is a time of the year, where you’re always going to get a little bit faster every year.

WHAT DISTANCE IS BEST FOR A TIME TRIAL?

It’s best to experiment with a variety of distances, but I’d suggest doing the time trial on a course that you have run many times. Try one that has a variety of changes with surfaces and terrain. I would not use the track. So, choose a course that you are familiar with, where you know the possible distance, and plan to treat it like a real race.

TAKE THE TIME TRIAL CHALLENGE FOR YOURSELF

WHAT SHOULD WE DO ON THE DAYS WE WERE SUPPOSED TO RACE? I WANT TO STICK WITH MY SCHEDULE AS IF EACH RACE IS STILL HAPPENING. Again, if there is not an open track nearby, then mark off 400 meters somewhere. For that effort to make sense, you’ll want to be thinking about it for three or four days in advance. As you do your training, think about what you’re going to be doing and how fast you want to race or what your effort level levels are going to be when you do race this course. So, make sure you do a warm-up 10 to 12 minutes running and some Dynamic stretching.

Without any real races to compete in this month, you may want to do a time trial two-three times.

YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 27

coming up!

These meets are listed as a “go” as of May 1st, 2020. For updates on cancelations check youthrunner.com.

OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD

16-19 NEW BALANCE NATIONALS OUTDOOR

JULY

16-19

NEW BALANCE NATIONALS OUTDOOR

JULY-AUGUST

JULY

9-11

AAU PRIMARY NATIONALS

PHOTO RUN

11-18

31-8

Both meets at the ESPN Wide World of Sports in Orlando, FL. Info at aautrackandfield.org

Happening in Hampton Roads, Virginia this year. at Norfolk State University.

Details at aaujrogames.org.

AAU CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS AAU JUNIOR OLYMPIC GAMES

These rescheduled dates are still tentative and depend on getting the guidance of governments regarding COVID-19. Registration is open at athletic.net but they’re not accepting fees until they get the green light. Check out the details and guidelines for entry at nationalscholastic.org.

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VIRTUAL MEETS AND CHALLENGES

“Virtual Camp”

MAY

6

RUN A MILE PROJECT

Miler Photo

Originally called the National Run a Mile Day in celebration of the first sub-four minute mile by Roger Bannister on May 6th, 1954. Under normal conditions classrooms across the country would run a mile during recess. Info on the virtual run here: www.therunamileproject.org

There are virtual races popping up “virtually” everywhere. Check out the Athletic App for a list of their meets or to create your own virtual meets.

Other sites to search for virtual events in your area: Active.com Athletic.net RunningUSA.org

Youth Runner will be posting some “Virtual Challenges” so keep a watch.

FOR MORE TRACK & FIELD, 5K RUNS, TRIATHLONS AND XC EVENTS COME ON OVER TO YOUTHRUNNER.COM AND DISCOVER THE ONE THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU.

Unable to travel or make it out for the scheduled overnight camp August 3-7th?

No problem, we’re hosting a “Virtual Camp” at the same time.

Not just another zoom meeting.

Includes a coaching consultation right after you sign up, camp workbook, challenges, swag, meet up with during all the coaching talks and athlete sessions. Fun! Go to www.youthrunnercamp.com for the details YOUTHRUNNER.COM | 29

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