Serious stuff
It is a reality of our lives that we must address two matters: the use
of steroids and performance drugs, and the use of other illegal drugs and alcohol.
Simply put, don’t use them. If you use them and your coaches and teammates know
about it, you are subject to Ignatius disciplinary action. It is also likely, with
some consideration of the circumstances, that we will ask you to leave the team.
This is a serious matter and you should take it seriously if you are a serious member
of our team.
Outdoor running in the winter
In the winter there is a minimum of cold outdoor running for sprinters,
jumpers and throwers—usually just a 1-mile jog for warm-up. Distance runners do
more outdoor running, depending upon the weather conditions. All athletes, therefore,
need warm outdoor training clothes—tee shirt and shorts, with additional layers
of shirts and pants (a water-repelling top layer is best), along with hats and gloves.
Athletes need something more than their Ignatius gym clothes.
Outdoor running in the spring
Spring weather in Chicago can sometimes be as bad as some winter weather.
Athletes must be prepared for running in the rain. Water-repellent layers on top
are recommended. Heavy cotton sweat pants and shirts are not! You should wear shorts
and tee shirts under your sweat clothes.
Your uniform
You are responsible for the uniform that you are assigned. If it is lost,
you must pay to replace it. When the season is over, you must return it. If you
do not return it, you are really committing a theft.
Shoes
Runners should expect to buy one new pair of training shoes during the
track season. It just seems logical to do that at the beginning of the season. For
a first pair of shoes, it is generally a good idea to visit a specialty store—Fleet
Feet on North Ave.,Running Away on Damen, Dick Pond in Lisle and Barrington, Universal
Sole on Lincoln, New Balance, Murphy’s Fit in Evanston, Run Chicago in Forest Park.
Sales people there can help pick out an appropriate pair of shoes in terms of sizes
and type. Then for a future pair you can buy the same shoe online or at Sports Authority.
Many of the specialty stores will give you a discount if you tell them you are running
on a high school team. Shoes in the $60-90 range are probably most appropriate.
Sometimes our runners like their new shoes so much that they wear them during the
day. They shouldn’t. If they insist on wearing gym shoes, they should not wear their
cross country training shoes; those should be just for running—in part so that they
last longer. Our boys don’t like to hear it sometimes, but during they day they
should probably wear old-fashioned school dress shoes. They provide the most support
and protection for feet and ankles that take a pounding during practice.
Many runners also buy racing spikes. You can find these spikes on sale for as little
at $20, or you can buy the newest models for as much as $100.
If an athlete is on financial aid and the purchase of training shoes or spikes will
be a difficult purchase, please talk to your coach.
Injuries
Track runners do get injured. But this isn’t really because it is a dangerous
sport. The main injury is going to be to your legs—and if you have a leg injury,
you are going to miss time.
We try to build our runners up slowly in terms of their mileage and work. Because
track is a long season, those who begin the season in January have the longest time
to prepare.
When runners are injured, we recommend ibuprofen (supplied by parents with their
consent) and ice in the evening after practice for chronic problems—shin splints,
sore muscles, sore knees and ankles. If the trainer or doctor recommends taking
time off from practice, we try to find alternative activities—pool running if a
runner has access, weight training or exercise machines here in the school. We try
to keep runners training even when they are injured. Injured runners are still expected
to visit practice and attend meets as members of the team.