River Falls results...a lost sweatshirt...random thoughts

Whew!  River Falls under our belts...what a great meet!
If you get Brett's tweets, you know that the Boys Varsity and JV both got 1st place out of 11 teams!  Varsity scored 20 points with 5 runners in the top 6.  Congratulations to these boys!

If this is your first season, you will probably not know how unusual this is and how much hard work it has taken these athletes off-season to be this prepared!  I believe that the 2nd place Varsity team had over 70 points.  That means the boys steamrolled their competition!

The girls also did a nice job led by Savanah Vold who  started the season strong with a "podium" finish! (Can't remember what place, can anyone comment what it was?)

Great to see all the Mayo parents braving the weather to support the team!

If you don't get Brett's tweets, sign up!  @mayotfcc

Message from Brock Grafstrom:  Missing from the meet today... a gray hooded Mayo Spartans sweatshirt with a shoelace enclosure and Grafstrom on the inside tag.

Follow up from me:  Obviously I did not foresee the construction that threw us all off once we arrived at the parking lot!  Sorry about that snafu!

Also...had more than one person asked whether I got a ticket when I was pulled over two years ago...and the answer is no!  Not entirely sure why!

Have a great Labor Day weekend!  When we get back, will have to begin planning for the Mayo Invite in earnest.  DeAnna Schleusner reports that the day of the meet is National Volunteer Day...so just one more reason to be ready to pitch in!  We will need all hands on deck that day!

River Falls Odds and Ends/General Meet Guidelines

Thanks again to the Kremer family for hosting tonight's pasta feed!  And to all of you who donated food...thank you!  Marianne Couser, Allison Benike, Mary Beth Kasperski, DeAnna Schleusner, Bianca DeLone, Kelly Turner, Doreen Ryan, Michele Taylor, Kari Grafstrom, Michele Bleskan, Erin Truesdale, Mary Jo Williamson, Carolyn Sedlack, and Megan Pfrimmer.  I hope I didn't forget anyone!

On to the meet!  If you are planning to go to the meet...
Allow about 1 1/2 hours for the trip.  It shouldn't take quite that long but that is a good amount to give yourself.  If you are wondering exactly where to go, search google maps for the Kwik Trip on South Main Street.  This Kwik Trip is right outside the parking lot at River Falls and is a very good place to stop before you head in to the meet.

DROPPING OFF YOUR ATHLETE:  Bus will leave at 1:30 so the athletes should get there at least 15 minutes ahead to load the bus.  Sometimes they take the tents and that takes a little bit to get them loaded.

GENERAL MEET TIP:  Always stop at the Kwik Trip and go to the bathroom before you get to the meet.  There will only be portapotties available and the lines of runners will be long!

GENERAL MEET TIP:  For those of you newbies...you won't need a lawn chair!  Wear your running shoes.  Watching a XC meet means you will be moving most of the time.  XC parents have to stay in shape!

TENT GUIDELINE:  The tents are for the runners and parents are discouraged from being in this space.  Allow the runners to inhabit this space without us!  In the same way, parents and spectators should not be anywhere near the starting line.  The best view is down the line waiting for the runners to come running at you!

WATCHING THE MEET:  Find someone you recognize (wear your MAYO gear!!!  I will make fun of you if you are not at least wearing green and/or gold!) and follow them!  There are usually good places on the course to go to watch.  Find someone with experience and latch onto them!

PICKING UP YOUR ATHLETE AFTER THE MEET:  Usually Brett will text/tweet to give us an idea what time they will be pulling in.  The bus will make good time.  Be sure you know which door to pick up/drop off at!

EXPERIENCED PARENTS:  Do you have a tip?  Please add it in the comments below!

Spiritwear

Do you have Mayo gear to wear to the meet tomorrow? Pam Priebe has agreed to be available from 4:30-5:00 today for your shopping needs! She will be in the room across from the cafeteria.

Please let me know if you are interested so she will know whether she should open up!
Mayorunning@gmail.com

Pasta Feed and Carpooling to River Falls

We have a winner!
Runner Mete Kremer's mother Hilal has offered to host the pasta feed for Wednesday!  She is a brave woman to grab this and go so quickly...

It would be awesome if there are people who can help with pasta/fruit/salads/dessert...
Everything you need to know should be on the Sign Up:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a48a5a622aa8-pasta2

Usually the practice before a meet is an easy one and a little shorter...they will likely be done by 4:30 so if you are driving, you can plan on a little earlier pick up.  The pasta feed will begin as soon as practice is over-the kids can come directly to the pasta feed from practice.

I have also had some questions about carpooling to River Falls...if you are willing to give a ride or looking to get one, how about taking a look at this carpooling tool that I found online...never used it before so don't know if it will work.  Let's try it!
http://www.groupcarpool.com/t/w9sd2j

Let me know if it doesn't work!

Pasta Feeds and What to Bring to a Meet and Where is River Falls?

Pasta Feeds:
I am a little slow getting going on this!  If anyone wants to host the River Falls pasta feed (that means Wednesday!!), let me know right away!  I am assuming that this probably won't happen...which will mean pasta feed will be at Noodles...stay tuned!

Subway:
The River Falls order is ready to go in to Subway tomorrow morning.  If I have contacted you regarding a question about your order, please get ahold of me ASAP!

River Falls:
I received a question from a parent (thank you, Michele!) regarding what to bring to River Falls.  The athletes should be sure to pay attention at practice to see what the coaches and captains recommend about this...but here is my mom answer about what the kids might want to bring (don't pack it for them!):

• a change of clothes for before/after the race.  This is super-important at River Falls when they will get really dirty/wet during this race! (they should only be wearing their singlet when they are racing.  It is confusing for them to be wearing it when they are watching a race!)  
• water bottle (always bring a water bottle to practice and meets!)
• towel (specifically for River Falls!  they don't ordinarily need a towel)
• running shorts (green for boys and black for girls, if possible, but no worries if you don't unless you are varsity...then the coaches will provide what you need)
• I am assuming based on past years that the Coaches will hand out singlets on the way to the meet
• compression shorts for boys, optional (Boys are often more comfortable having these for under their running shorts because running shorts are pretty short.  You can get these at sporting goods stores or at TJ Maxx.  They should be completely black.  Any logo must be less than 1" and they should not have contrasting stitching.  None of this really matters unless they are running varsity but it is just good practice for everyone else, if possible.
• optional money for t-shirts (every race will have one) and/or snacks (most races will have a snack stand of some kind)
• snack for after running.  Subway will be passed out on the bus ride back to school.  If they are one of the first races, they will likely be hungry and won't want to wait so it is good to have some post-race snacks to tide them over
• running shoes/cleats (remember...old ones for River Falls!  They will get trashed!)

As always...whatever the Coach says trumps anything that I share here so please just use this as a guide!

River Falls Location:
Directions to most meets can be found at www.big9.org.  When you find the meet, click on the location and it should take you to a map of where you're going.  For River Falls, the meet is at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls  1100 S Main  River Falls, WI.
NOTE:  There is usually a bit of a walk from the parking lot to the meet location so always allow an extra 15 minutes to get to the course!
NOTE 2:  Two years ago I got pulled over coming home...the policeman asked me where I was coming from and I told him that we were coming back from a XC meet.  He said, "How interesting, I just pulled someone else over who was also coming from a XC meet!"  So you've been warned!

Reminder! Afternoon Practices Start Monday

Just a quick reminder that afternoon practices start Monday, August 25...3:30-5:00!

Subway and Communication

Good morning!

A few items regarding the Subway orders today:
1.  Thank you so much for the orders!  This is a new system and so I welcome your feedback as far as ease of use and any comments to make it better.  So far it is working pretty well on my end...

2.  Coolers needed!  I still need about 5 more large wheeled coolers.  It works best if I can keep these for the season so that I don't have to chase them down before each meet.  If you are able to share your cooler with me for this purpose, that would be great!  I can grab it from XC practice on Monday or it can be dropped off at 719 19th Ave SW or I can send a kid to run and get it from you!  Just let me know!  I plan to take the order to Subway on Tuesday morning bright and early so if I can get them sometime on Monday, that would be great!

3.  I received most of your checks...thank you!  I sent notes Sunday morning if I have not received your check yet or if the amount needs to be adjusted...but in some cases the emails that were used are kid emails...and I never know how often the kids check their emails!  If you have any questions, let me know.  If I can get checks by Monday evening, that would be great!  If I don't have your check by then, I will cancel the River Falls sandwich order for your athlete.

4.  If you haven't ordered yet but still want to do so, no problem!  Place your order here:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1J0JcxU2FSXVYy40HdY_losvZU8-ubN3mlNaehzJ9yw0/viewform and then get me a check by Monday night!

A few items regarding communication:
1.  How is this online newsletter format working?  Again, a new system and so I welcome your feedback regarding ease of use and comments to make it better.

2.  Let me know if there are things that would be good to address!  I am liking this new newsletter-style except that I feel like I don't hear back from people the same way I used to!  Feel free to comment on the posts and/or send me an email anytime!   Let me know what is helpful and/or if there are things that you need to know about.

You can always send an email to mayorunning@gmail.com!  Thanks!!  Kristin

Friends of Mayo Running

Hi, Friends of Mayo Runners,

I am greeting you as newly elected president of Friends of Mayo Running, starting with an excerpt from the inaugural board meeting minutes in 2010:  “Friends of Mayo Running was created in the summer of 2010 as a support group for the cross country and track and field programs, both boys and girls, at Rochester Mayo High School.  In part, the group was formed as a result of the economic stress that the Rochester Independent School District had experienced and to provide a financial base to buy equipment and supplies that otherwise would not be available to teams.”  Friends of Mayo Running is a 501c3 nonprofit organization (i.e., proceeds are tax-deductible).

As president, I have a vision for a family-oriented running community that is revered for fun, school spirit, and building future leaders at Mayo High School.  I would like to see Friends of Mayo Running extend its mission to include social activities and an official home for what many of us know as the Spartan Running Club.  The Spartan Running Club is the name of the team that a group of parents and students took last November to the Nike Cross Nationals (a.k.a., NXN) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  (We had an awesome time and would like to bring even more people this year on 11/9!)  This club is also the natural place for our off-season family-led running programs.  As we build a more visible presence and include our friends and families at the feeder schools to Mayo High School, this will ultimately bolster the original fund-raising mission.  

As many of you know, I am passionate about running and working with the students.  I am excited by this opportunity to work with many talented individuals that collectively form our amazing community.  In order to pull off our mission, I’m looking for volunteers who share my enthusiasm and optimism.  Specifically I need people to help in the following roles or areas of expertise:

·      Board members (This is a new board that has completely turned over.  I have an immediate need to recruit five new board members with three-year terms.  Initially we may meet up to monthly, but I expect to meet quarterly or less once we settle into a rhythm.)

·      Marketing and fund-raising (We need to become more visible.)

·      Graphic Design (We need a logo and spirit wear.)

·      Website design (We need one place for information.  For a similar model that might inform our mission, please see http://www.waltontfxc.com/cinder.php )

·      Liaisons to the feeder schools (e.g., someone to connect with the running clubs and/or others at Folwell, Bamber, Willow, etc.)

·      Volunteer and activity coordinators (with an immediate need to plan for NXN)

If you are interested, please contact me at greg@productivementality.com or call me at 282-2610.  I plan to call a board meeting sometime after the River Falls meet on August 28.  Then it’s time to have some fun and complete our mission.

Thanks, and see you all next week at River Falls! 

 

Greg Couser

ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Well...sounds like the Northfield XC Team has proposed the Ice Bucket Challenge to the Mayo Cross Country Team!  The kids have been asked to bring a bucket to practice on Wednesday...not sure what the plan is but they might come home wet!

If you are not aware of what this is...well, you must be sleeping, because it has been all over the media for the past few weeks.  I am actually as oblivious as they come with respect to news...but this one I know about since my husband is a neurologist specializing in ALS...(he took the challenge last week and was on KAAL-TV doing it, just saying).

Anyway, the point being...the purpose of the Ice Bucket Challenge is to raise awareness about ALS and to raise money to support ALS research.  They are encouraged to tweet/Facebook themselves while fulfilling of the challenge.  More information and an opportunity to donate available here:  http://www.alsa.org/fight-als/ice-bucket-challenge.html
#StrikeOutALS

River Falls Preview and Pancakes and Subway

For those of you who have not experienced River Falls, a little heads up may be helpful!

River Falls is an extreme cross country run-the athletes will ford more than one river during this event...some of the athletes feel that the competition is about how dirty they can be by the time they cross the finish line!

With that in mind, let's talk about what to wear...
1.  Singlets:  In the past, these have been handed out on the bus ride to River Falls
2.  Shorts:  a pair of running shorts-if possible, black for girls, green for boys
3.  Shoes:  this is the biggest reason for this post...super-important to not wear your best new running shoes for this race!  This is a great opportunity for one last wear out of last year's shoes...so wanted to post this before they find their way to the trash!

Other assorted comments:

• Be sure to bring a water bottle to every practice and meet!
• Today at practice, an invitation was distributed to the Senior Hosted Boys and Girls Pancake Breakfast at the Luetmer Home on Tuesday after practice.  The address is 5530 Heather Drive SW.
• If your athlete is planning on Subway for the River Falls meet, please get the order form filled out and money turned in by Thursday so that the orders can be coordinated.  The order form is available at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1J0JcxU2FSXVYy40HdY_losvZU8-ubN3mlNaehzJ9yw0/viewform.  Money can be dropped off or mailed to me at 719 19th Ave SW, 55902.  Thursday is the "drop-dead" date for River Falls Subway.  If you do not want Subway until Faribault, you have a little more time.

Pasta Feeds, Spiritwear, Volunteers and Chipotle Night!

Hey there, Cross Country Families!

A few items for today:
1.  I am a little behind giving you this information...the girls page was not up-to-date last week and unfortunately the packet had last year's information on it.  It is now current, so please go back and be sure that you have the most current information.  It is available at the www.mayospartans.org site or at this link:  http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0060/4756/2014_CC_Schedule_Handout.pdf
If you have been checking the boys page, it has been correct since the PAC meeting.

2.  The pasta feed last week probably came as a surprise to those of you who are new...so here is something to know.  Once you put in all of the meets into your calendar, go back and write in "pasta feed" the day before each meet.  The question is not whether there will be one (because there always will be!) but where it will be!  Captains are working on confirming some preliminary information before we send out more information about pasta feeds.  Stay tuned!

3.  Info from the girls captains regarding spirit wear:  There will be t-shirt sizes to try on Monday at practice.  They are waiting on sizes of Jackets and Pants so that these can also be tried on to be sure that you can get the right size.  Stay tuned!

4.  Volunteer Opportunity:  Marianne Couser has arranged for the MHS XC runners to support the Healthy Human Race 1/2 Race by staffing a water stop!  Sign up here to help:   
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E0B49AAAD2EA57-volunteer/4759998
5.  Monday from 5:00-8:00 is Chipotle Night supporting the PTSA!  Show the flyer on your phone or print it off for PTSA to get 50% of the proceeds!  

If the links for anything posted don't work, copy and paste them into your browser!

Pasta Feed Tonight!!

In case you haven't heard yet...
Captains would like me to let you know that

There is a pasta feed tonight at Noodles South!
5:30 for the girls
6:00 for the boys

This is an optional activity!  Hopefully many can make it!

Also...
Hope to see lots of parents at the Time Trial tomorrow morning!  I am hearing that kids were separated into teams based on grade.  They have been assigned a color to wear to identify themselves as that team.  This is super-fun to come out and watch.  Hope to see you there!

PAC Meeting Recap

I know that there are quite a few families out of town this week so will try to hit a few highlights from the PAC meeting that you may have missed (and a recap for those of us who were there!)

From Brett's handout:
Attendance:  
Practice day after each meet will be optional and run by the captains.  These will be "a student choice day such as game day or workout day (not an official practice)."  This is a great time to schedule necessary appointments (instead of missing regular practices).  These dates are August 22, 29, September 1, 12, 19, October 3, 8

Excusing your absence:
"Bring a written note and give to team manager the day before the absence.  Absences may result in missing out on participation in a meet.  Unexcused absences will result in missing out on a meet."

Meets:
Big 9 will be the last meet for most athletes.  Varsity and some JV runners will run at Sections.  Those who qualify based on their time/place can qualify for State.

My comment:  The coaches like to hear from the athletes (instead of the parents) as much as possible.  Encourage your son/daughter to be the one to communicate with the coaches.  

Have a great day!
Kristin

PAC Meeting...especially Subway Order Form

Great stuff today at the PAC Meeting!

If you didn't make it, there is much to catch you up on...but will not do it all at once.  I prefer to send out information in small doses in order to keep you on the edge of your seat!

If you are wondering about something in particular before I get to posting about it, here is what you can do:
1.  Check the website:  www.mayospartans.org  (Brett will keep this updated)
2.  Read the Parent/Athlete Handout (It has been updated to 2014-2015 information)
3.  Check Big 9:  www.big9.org (meet schedule information is here)
4.  Send me an email (mayorunning@gmail.com) or go ahead and comment on the blog (where appropriate).  

For today's topic:
Subway orders and money for away meets are due by Friday (if possible!).  Late orders and money will be taken but it must be turned in BY Monday, August 25 in order to be ordered for River Falls.  Please turn in the whole order at one time with one check.  Checks should be written to Subway (they will not be cashed until the end of the season) and can be dropped off in the Activities Office, dropped off or mailed to me at 719 19th Ave SW,  or given to me at the Time Trial.

Here is the online order form:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1J0JcxU2FSXVYy40HdY_losvZU8-ubN3mlNaehzJ9yw0/viewform

If you are able to donate a large cooler with wheels for the XC season, you can put that in the comment section of the order form.

Have a great day!  

Practice starts Monday at 9:00 am...and Volunteers still needed for upcoming MHS events!

Thanks to those of you who have already signed up!

One last effort for volunteers...and note the meeting time change!

1.  Mayo Booster Club Meeting on Monday, August 11 at 

​6​

:00 pm in the Outdoor Concession Stand

2.  XC PAC Meeting on Monday, August 11 at 7:00 pm in the Auditorium

3.  Schedule Pick Up on Tuesday and Wednesday, August 12&13:

  **Spiritwear Sales:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090f49aaa82fa31-spirit 

   **Guidance Office: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d48ada723a1f58-guidance2

  **General Schedule Pick Up Volunteer:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d48ada723a1f58-schedule

​  ​

**

​Media Center

 Volunteer

 ​  

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0d48ada723a1f58-media

 ​

  **

​PTSA

  Table:  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090a48a5a622aa8-schedule 

Season Communication

How to be informed this Cross Country season:

Cross Country Webpage:  www.mayospartans.org
The Boys Cross Country and Girls Cross Country pages will be the same.  Check either one.  Coach Brett will keep this webpage up-to-date

Scheduling:  www.big9.org
You can sign up for Notify Me...this feature will send you an email if there is a Schedule Change and is very current.

Parent Communication:  mayorunning.blogspot.com
This online newsletter!  You can also post comments and questions if you have them.

Parent Communication:  mayorunning@gmail.com
If you don't want to post your comment or question, send an email!

Text alerts:  https://www.remind101.com/join/mayocc
Coach Brett uses this to send out information

Twitter account:  @mayotfcc
Coach Brett also uses this to send out information

Twitter account:  @mayospartans
Mr. Whitney uses this to send out MHS information

Practices and Meets

According to www.mayospartans.org (Cross Country Tab), practices will begin on Monday, August 11 from 9:00-10:30.  They will run through August 21 at this time.
Beginning August 25, practice will be from 3:30-5:00.

PAC Meeting on Monday, August 11 at 7:00 pm in the MHS Auditorium.

Team Time Trial on Friday, August 15 during practice.  This is great fun to watch so plan on coming out!

Spartan 5K is Friday, August 15 at 6:00 pm.  All are welcome!  This is a fundraiser...donations will be welcome!

According to www.big9.org, meets will be held on the following dates:
Thursday, August 28  (River Falls Extreme Meet)
Friday, September 5 (Faribault)
Thursday, September 11 (Mayo Invite-many volunteers will be needed!)
Saturday, September 20 (Flim Invite-Winona)
Friday, September 26 (Red Wing)
Thursday, October 2 (Owatonna)
Tuesday, October 7 (All-City-Century)
Tuesday, October 14 (Big 9-Owatonna)
Thursday, October 23 (Sections-Owatonna)
Saturday, November 1 (State-St. Olaf)  qualifying teams/individuals only

Spartan 5K

Hey, All!

Some questions regarding this year's Spartan 5K have arisen...as you may have noticed, the date has changed from Saturday, August 9 to Friday, August 15 (due to facility scheduling conflict).  Our 5K will be at 6 pm on that day.  The event will be much more low-key this year, but no less important to our fundraising!  All parents, friends, alumni, siblings and acquaintances are encouraged to participate in this walk/run event and donations to the Mayo Running program will be welcome!  I will post more information on this as I get it.

Captain's Practice

Captain’s Practice occurs every morning at 9 a.m. (except Sundays) until 8/11 (when practice starts).  Saturday mornings are long runs, and if you’re not up for a long run, you can run shorter or take the day off.  Meet at Soldier’s Field near the SE corner of the track.

Weekend workouts will occur on most weekends throughout the season.  If you want to be on the list for weekend runs and/or off-season activities, please e-mail Greg Couser at greg@productivementality.com