Introduction
Before the meet - Be sure to sign up at on our web site - for each meet and for each event
- Look for an email early in the week of each meet reminding you to sign up.
- Most of the meet organization is automated so we must submit our athletes and what events they run the week of the event. You’ll see why when you are arrive; these are large events with 400-1100 athletes!!!
- Athletes can run multiple events and try whatever event they want. Our clubs trains for the 1500m/1600m and 3000m/3200m distance but the developmental meets are the place to try whatever you like.
- You can try different events each week, too, but you must sign up early in the week.
- Again, any doubts, any questions, ask a coach!
What to Wear - Athletes should wear their uniform singlet to all meets with black shorts. (Tip: pack your bag the night before!) Be sure to wear your Alpha Crush t-shirt over your singlet to keep your body temperature up (always good to be a little sweaty around race time). Wearing our t-shirts also makes us look like a time! We’ll sit together and in some cases have our team tent up.
- Please make sure that your athlete does not show up to the meet wearing only their uniform and their spikes or racing shoes.
- They should have a sweat suit or, at minimum, a t-shirt, sweatpants or shorts to wear over their uniform.
- They should also have their racing shoes along with their (optional) spikes.
- They should warm up in their sweats and running shoes and then put their spikes on when they’re ready to race.
Day of the meet - There will be an Schedule of Events for each meet but the day will be run on a “rolling schedule” which means the next event will start as soon as the previous one ends. In other words we can only estimate when your event will start. That’s how youth track meets are run, as well as high school meets.
- The coaches can guide you on when an event will start but it’s a guess. Generally, you can assume each event will take 45-60 minutes but as you can image the 100m heats go fast but there a many, many of heats! Whereas there might only be 2-4 heats of the 3000m.
- You’ll want to arrive at the meet at least an hour before your estimated start time. It’s fun to watch anyway and if anything you don’t want to be late as check in starts well before each event runs.
- In a traditional developmental meet the 3000m is run at the very beginning, around 8:00-9:00 am, and the 1500m race is around noon. Some families will come in for their event and leave right afterwards.
Meet Logistics - Prepare to hit the roads early to arrive on time; arrive 1-hour before your first event to give yourself time to find the team tent, get your packet/bib# and to give your athlete time to warm up.
- Parents can help by listening for the calls for each event and making sure their athletes are where they need to be
- See our web site for meet location, directions and details
- Be prepared for organized chaos (especially in the developmental meets)
- Find your coaches when you arrive. A coach will almost always be at the meet to guide athletes and get them checked in.
- Check-in with the coaches to get your bib # and timing chip (if applicable for the event/meet)
- Find the team tent
- Bring an extra chair or two just in case
- If you are participating in multiple bring something to do (read a book, listen to music, or other quiet activities)
- Bring sun screen, water, snacks. Remember of course to bring sunscreen, some money for concessions, and bleacher seats if you have them.
- Check in occurs before each event to ensure the athlete is there, to get them to a staging area, and then to make sure they are at the start line at the right time. A PA announcer will call out when event is to check in so it is important to pay attention. Generally there is a 1st call, 2nd call, and final call for each event.
- Parents generally are not suppose to go on the field so once the athlete goes to check-in they should have what they need.
- Events start at different places on the track and again may have multiple heats so the meet organizers will be following a system to keep things going and accurate.
- All the events are great to watch. There’s nothing like the sound of the home stretch when athletes are finishing!
Warm up! - Athletes need to warm up before they race, jump or throw. They should have little beads of sweat on their heads before they actually race if they want to have their best performance.
- Perform the same warm up that we do in practice.
Nutrition - Athletes should also start hydrating the day before the event. Make sure they drink plenty of fluids and please(!) no energy drinks like Red Bull! Athletes should be sure to hydrate the week of a meet but not overdo it the day of a meet. A small bottle of water the day of a race is adequate (and more afterwards). Athletes should eat their last meal a couple hours before a race and only have healthy snacks up to race time.
- Meet days can be long. Bring snacks and drinks. There may not be a concession stand at every meet.
- When not competing, athletes should be resting (in the shade!) for their next event.
Answers to questions you might have about fueling for the season
Nutrition is one of the most modifiable and controllable factors in athletic success, but too often it 's also the most ignored. Paying special attention to good sports nutrition, especially starting at a young age, may be the key to reaching new heights. The following are some of the questions that I've been asked, and have asked myself, through my years of training.
- What should I eat before I race?
- How much do I need to drink?
- Will drinking coffee or an energy drink like Red Bull give me a boost in a race?
- What kinds of snacks should I keep in my locker and/or gym bag?
- What should I eat after I race?
- How many calories should I eat?
|
|
