Summer
training will always have it’s ups and downs. For many, the summer features
high mileage weeks with a variety of solo runs through the neighborhoods around
your house. Over the years, I know that I have trained myself into boredom
grinding away, alone on tedious and comparable runs. Often times, you need a
change. Maybe it’s a new perspective, a new trail or some new training
partners. Regardless, you need something new. That’s why a Summer Cross Country
Camp might be a good idea for you.
One
of those camps is the Hawk Harrier XC Camp (www.hawkharrierxc.com) from August 16th to
the 21st. The camp is located in Darlington, Maryland which is about
an hour drive from Philadelphia and features athletes and coaches from a
variety of different states and backgrounds. For example, previous years the
camp has featured runners like Sarah Walker and Nick Dahl from GFS, Brianna
Gess from Haddonfield NJ (4:48), Shawn Hutchinson from Bishop Eustace (Foot
Locker Finalist) and more. However, it’s important to note that the camp has a
strong mix of runners from a variety of ability levels with boys ranging from
5:30 milers to state champions. Once everyone arrives, the groups are split
based on these ability levels to maximize training efficiency.
The
training is overseen by experienced coaches on some of the best surfaces
available. There is a flat river trail with a forgiving surface (similar to the
Wissahickon Trails/Valley Green for those who have been) as well as a good mix
of up hills and downhills, shade and wooded trails. http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/parkmaps/susquehanna_map_nopoints.gif The coaching staff features some
talented runners including former NCAA All-Americans and a sub two minute half
miler LaTavia Thomas. She currently competes for the NYNJ Track Club and has
raced at top competitions both nationally and internationally.
Beyond
simply running, athletes will have individualized attention for things like
form and flexibility while also learning a variety of different beneficial
supplemental work. This includes sessions like medicine ball, plyometirics,
hurdle mobility, and gait analysis but also NCAA recruiting and nutrition. It’s
an excellent opportunity to become a well-rounded runner and seek advice from
those who have been in their shoes.
The
best benefit is probably the opportunity to spend a week away with friends and
teammates while meeting new people. Everyone knows the distance runner
personality and even now as a college graduation, my best friends are still
guys that I ran with back in high school and college. The times when we were
able to get away together as a team and get in good, hard training with little
other priorities was always fantastic. At Hawk Harrier, the campers will have a
good amount of free time to relax and hang out in addition to their training.
They have access to the pool and various sports activities like wiffleball,
Frisbee or volleyball. The camp also embraces the competitive spirit of it’s
athletes with a weekly volleyball and tug o’ war contest for bragging rights.
If you truly love the sport and want to make the most of your summer training experience, I strongly consider researching what camps or other opportunities are available to you this summer, even if it isn’t this camp. You only have so many opportunities to get away and immerse yourself in the sport and the lifestyle. There is so much to learn when you go out into the running community, not simply from coaches and mentors but from your peers.
Registration
will be open up through the first day of camp for those interested. If you are
looking for more information, check out the website above or follow Hawk Harrier
on twitter and/or Facebook.
Bummer. Was looking for a camp as "I have trained myself into boredom grinding away, alone on tedious and comparable runs" but this is the first week of preseason at our high school. Wish it were a week or 2 earlier.
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