Six Weeks Into Track & Field Conditioning
Training during a typical Nebraska winter.
It’s been a good start to 2025 for our track and field student athletes. Like always, the season seems far off, but then you look at the calendar and realize it’s almost here. In this post I’ll highlight:
Winter Conditioning - Distance training through a Nebraska winter.
“Uhh, Coach?” - Getting to know new students.
The Season Is Near - What’s ahead for the distance runners.
Winter Conditioning
When we have the option, us coaches like to get the students outside to train. Not that temps in the forties or fifties are balmy, but compared to the subzero temps we are currently experiencing it feels wonderful to be on the track when the sun is out and the thermometer cracks forty. Plus, there is usually one track meet in which Nebraska’s false spring strikes and we are bundled up. It’s good to be ready for it.
That being said, there are always weeks like this week where midwest’s winter shows up like, “Remember me?!” How do you train in these wintry conditions?
With the distance runners, they often run the Burke hallways during after school conditioning. It’s not ideal, but it is better than preparing to run in subzero cold and on side streets that are snow and ice packed.
One thing I’ve talked to Liam about as we approached this offseason is embracing inside/treadmill training when conditions force us inside. We looked at last season’s training and saw how during a two to three week span of winter conditions his runs weren’t to the level we wanted. Your pace is slower significantly, your form isn’t ideal because you run gingerly trying not to slip on the packed snow/ice, and for distance runners you probably aren’t covering the mileage you need to. Liam was able to stay in shape, but did not have the necessary gains he needed to be where he wanted to be to start the season. This offseason, we talked about embracing the monotony of the treadmill when winter forces him inside to train.
It can look good on social media, and drive engagement, to highlight your training outside in winter conditions. Does it drive winning though?
It’s not fun running the treadmill, riding a stationary bike, or driving in winter conditions to train at a gym, but it will pay off. As I’ve told some of the students at conditioning, “The training today will pay off in May.”
“Uhh, Coach?”
As a coach, it’s great to see the cross country runners again, and it’s nice to get to know some new students. The first day of conditioning I was encouraging the team as they started their warmups. One student I didn’t know barked back at me, dropping f-bombs, about hating the warmup run. What to do? Channel my inner Ted Lasso with my response. “Yeah, but you’re here and participating. That’s a win in my book.” They didn’t know how to respond and finished out the run.
I don’t work at Burke during the day, so the students will probably not know who I am. It’s one of the reasons I show up to conditioning every day. I like coaching, but I also want to get to know the team. I want them to see me showing up since us coaches are wanting them to show up if they don’t have other commitments.
Over the first few weeks I’ve heard a lot of, “Uhh, Coach?” from students I don’t know. I respond with a smile and start engaging with the student. An opportunity to learn their name, find out what events they are competing in, and talk about the plan for conditioning that afternoon. Sometimes it leads to discussions about school and life. I enjoy it.
The Season Is Near
We are in our sixth week of conditioning. On March 3, less than two weeks from now, it is official start of the high school track season. Practices will be after school every day during the school week. Saturday practices will start up soon as well.
I’m excited to see our distance runners compete this season. Many of our cross country student athletes have been smart and consistent with their training this offseason. I’m grateful that Liam Murphy and Dillon Birge are the healthiest they have been in a long time from injuries that affected them all of last year.
There are also the students that have been competing in other sports or activities this offseason. We have a number of swimmers who will be joining us in the coming days. While it may take some of them a few practices to get their “legs” up to speed, their cardio base has them in a good position.
And then there are the new runners. Sometimes, the conditioning can be difficult, but they keep showing up and going through the paces. I’ve been impressed with the girls who don’t run cross country but are going through our distance running conditioning. They are competitors and will race PRs throughout the season. Lily Nass has been a great leader with them, and encouraging friends to show up and participate.
The first varsity meet is Friday, March 21 at College of Saint Mary’s indoor track. This is over the student’s spring break. As the season draws near we will have the schedule and times finalized and made available to all.
Thanks for reading.
For me, running is both exercise and a metaphor. Running day after day, piling up the races, bit by bit I raise the bar, and by clearing each level I elevate myself. At least that’s why I’ve put in the effort day after day: to raise my own level. I’m no great runner, by any means. I’m at an ordinary – or perhaps more like mediocre – level. But that’s not the point. The point is whether or not I improved over yesterday. In long-distance running the only opponent you have to beat is yourself, the way you used to be.
-Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running