...1st day of MCHS XC practice is only 3 weeks away!
REMINDER: IMPORTANT DATES COMING UP FOR JULY and AUGUST:
JULY: Get your sports physical done! -Download and fill-out MCHS PAC Athletic Packet off the MCHS School website: http://www.mariacarrillohighschool.com/athletics/Pages/AthleticPacket.aspx
JULY 30: Tahoe Running Camp planning meeting 6PM at the Foggs (4525 Ranchette Road, SR 95409; street may be full; OK to park on corner of Wallace/Badger at SR Bible Church School parking lot)
AUGUST 2-AUGUST 7: Tahoe Running Camp, Zephyr Cove Campground
AUGUST 13: MCHS On-Campus Orientation (Seniors 8:30, Juniors 10:30, Sophomores 1:00), then 3:00 First Day of MCHS XC Practice!
AUGUST 14: MCHS On-Campus Orientation for Freshmen starting 9AM with BBQ at Noon
AUGUST 20: MCHS First Day of School
AUGUST 22: Parent Team Meeting 5:30 PM at MCHS Track
AUGUST 25: MCHS XC Fundraiser Day Rummage Sale (start saving stuff!) + 24 Hour Run-A-Thon
-Contact either Melanie Barlett rmbartlett5@aol.com or Jennifer Jensen psychicjen@sbcglobal.net if you have questions regarding our Rummage Sale
AUGUST 31: Our first competition! -Rancho Invite at RCHS
AN INTRODUCTION TO MENTAL TOUGHNESS TRAINING!
This upcoming Cross Country season we’ll be doing specific exercises, incorporating drills and developing skills for MENTAL TOUGHNESS to enhance your training and racing experience!
Most of the content for our toughness training will be based on the book, The New Toughness Training For Sports –by James E. Loehr. …If you are interested in learning more from this book, call or e-mail me as I have copies available I can loan to you.
DEFINITION OF MENTAL TOUGHNESS: The ability to consistently perform toward the upper range of your talent and skill regardless of competitive circumstances.
The framework we’ll be working from is based on 3 primary components identified in this book mentioned above, The New Toughness Training for Sports:
1) Physical
2) Mental
3) Emotional
MENTAL TOUGHNESS TRAINING PART I: (AWARENESS, SELF-BELIEF and THE FOUR Cs)
AWARENESS! Basic facts and a few important insights about Toughness:
Toughness can be learned!
Toughness is the skill that enables you to bring all your talent and skill to life on demand
Toughness achieved is Ideal Performance State (IPS) control!
Toughness is the ability to consistently access empowering emotions during competition
Emotions run the performance show but in the final analysis, toughness is physical!
SELF-BELIEF! This is vital ingredient for every successful athlete. …Simply stated, you really need to believe in yourself! …Stated in different terms, you need to BE YOUR OWN HERO! OK, so let’s start with assessing your current state of self-belief. -Here’s some criteria I borrowed from the Campolindo High School Track/XC website:
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TRAITS OF STRONG SELF BELIEF:
-Positive thoughts of success
-Feelings of excitement, anticipation, calmness, elation, preparedness
-Focus on self and/or task
-Open Mindedness
-Positive response to setbacks-Sense of responsibility for outcomes
-Accepts compliments graciously
TRAITS OF WEAK SELF BELIEF:
-Negative thoughts of doubt, failure, defeat (“limiting beliefs”)
-Feelings of anxiety, dread, fear
-Focus on others and/or factors beyond control
-Lack of commitment
-Frustrated by setbacks
-Blames factors beyond self for outcome
-Dismiss compliments
THE FOUR Cs! …How to know when you’ve “Arrived” to peak Mental Toughness:
COMMITMENT: You demonstrate sustained and consistent motivation (this is the foundation required for maintaining the behavior necessary to accomplish your goals)
CONFIDENCE: You have a positive assessment of your own ability relative to a goal and possess a deep self-belief that goal is attainable
CONCENTRATION: You can focus/access the psychological state to perform your best (a.k.a. “The Zone”)
CONTROL: You respond to competitive circumstances with the right emotional levels.
Coach Greg Fogg
Cell: (707) 291-2967
Email: greg.fogg@comcast.net
