Clerc's Corner -Part 4

<p> Our new segment, &quot;Clerc&#39;s Corner, written by Louisiana native, Clerc Koenck Simpson, will be a weekly blog posted every Thursday, talking about different aspects of competitive high school, college, and post collegiate running. The purpose of these articles are to highlight the journey that athletes take coming from small programs in Louisiana, facing adversity, struggles and defeat to eventually becoming great runners. Simpson, originally from Pickering, Louisiana, is a national-class athlete with numerous titles and and championships under her belt. Currently she is a Brooks Elite Athlete and trains in Colorado Springs, aiming for 2016. With the addition of Clerc&#39;s blog, we hope to inspire and encourage young runners from across the state to realize their own potential and to continue to &quot;stride&quot; for greatness.</p>

Twitter:@clercsimpson

Email: clercsimpson@me.com

Hello Louisiana,

This week I started cross training and will hopefully start running soon. My mantra over the next few weeks is to have a PATIENT SENSE OF URGENCY. What does this mean? It means to be patient enough to see the big picture, but urgent enough to be willing to do the small and supplemental acts necessary to get to your goals. Many of you have roughly just over a month until your state or conference championship and district is just around the corner. A patient sense of urgency is applicable in training, racing and in the broader sense of life.

We all talk about doing the little things and controlling what we can but I am sure many of you are thinking to yourselves; “What does this actually mean for me as an athlete?”

Mental training

This is just as important as physical training. Focus mentally on cultivating positive thoughts in training every day and barricading negative thoughts from entering your mind. When you get to a race you will be well equipped to forge forward with positive energy.

Core 

Your core runs from your belly button to just below your glutes. Strengthening this entire area will make you more efficient even when you become fatigued at the end of the race.

Drills

Focus on the form you have with drills, not on how quick or how far you can go until you master good form.

Stretching /Foam Rolling

Set your stop watch while watching TV and simply start by doing this for 10 min a few days a week. It will help you stay injury free.

Hydrating

Carry a water bottle around all day and fill it up. Drink it when you are bored. This is the easiest way to create this habit.

Remember, it is not how bad you want it on race day. It is how much you want it the other 6 days of the week. Most importantly HAVE FUN and ENJOY this time with your teammates and friends. This is what you will remember most. Enjoying what you do will ultimately lead you to running your best. I am writing this as much to you as I am to myself.

Feel free to reach out on email or twitter if you have any specific questions. 

Race hard. Have fun and until next week- Let’s do this Louisiana.

 

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